Mat 9:1-13 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Matt 9:1-17: 9:1-17 Controversy ensued among Jesus’ opponents, the teachers of religious law and Pharisees (9:1-13 ), and among the disciples of John the Baptist (9:14-17 ). 9:1 His own town was Capernaum (Mark 2:1 ), where he apparently relocated from Nazareth after being rejected there (Matt 4:13 ; Luke 4:16-31 ).

Summary for Matt 9:1-17: 9:1-17 ^a Controversy ensued among Jesus’ opponents, the teachers of religious law and Pharisees (9:1-13 ^b), and among the disciples of John the Baptist (9:14-17 ^c). 9:1 ^d His own town was Capernaum (Mark 2:1 ^e), where he apparently relocated from Nazareth after being rejected there (Matt 4:13 ^f; Luke 4:16-31 ^g).
9:3 ^h Does he think he’s God? God alone could forgive sins (Ps 103:3 ⁱ; Isa 43:25 ^j; Jer 50:20 ^k). The teachers of religious law failed to comprehend Jesus’ mission as God’s incarnate Son (Matt 3:17 ^l; 11:25-27 ^m). As God’s Messiah (1:1 ⁿ; 11:2-6 ^o), he was saving mankind (8:17 ^p; 26:26-28 ^q).
9:5 ^r It is easier for Jesus to pronounce forgiveness, since that might have no verifiable effects; it is harder to enable a paralytic to walk. The miracle, visible to all, corroborates Jesus’ authority to forgive sins and forces all who witness it to decide about Jesus.
9:6 ^s So I will prove: Jesus performed the miracle to reveal his authority and identity as God’s Messiah (see 11:2-6 ^t; 12:28 ^u).
9:8 ^v The mixture of fear and praise in the crowd’s response corresponds to the awesome truth they perceived about Jesus. He is indeed the Son of God who has authority on earth to forgive sins (9:6 ^w).
Summary for Matt 9:9-13: 9:9-13 ^x Jesus, as Lord and Messiah, tore down the barriers that prevented righteous Jews from intermingling with those who were unclean or sinful. 9:9 ^y Matthew was also called Levi (Mark 2:14 ^z). Matthew might have had two names, or he might have been given a new name by Jesus.
9:10 ^aa The Jewish people despised Jewish tax collectors (5:46-47 ^ab; 18:15-20 ^ac), who cooperated with Roman oppressors and were considered betrayers of the Israelite nation. Many also considered them unclean because of their frequent contact with Gentiles and because of the idolatrous images on Roman coins. Tax-collection was a private enterprise. In each district, Rome granted the right to collect taxes to the highest bidder (cp. Luke 19:1-10 ^ad). Anything collected above the bid was profit for the collectors, who, driven by greed, often used extortion.
9:13 ^ae I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices: God’s desire is applied to the question of table fellowship with sinners; Jesus’ mercy in eating with sinners contrasts with the Pharisees’ separation from sinners (symbolized as sacrifices).

• Jesus revealed the true spiritual condition of the Pharisees, who think they are righteous; they failed to recognize that they were in fact unrighteous and in need of the Messiah’s salvation. See 7:1-5 ^af; 8:11-12 ^ag; 19:30 ^ah; 20:16 ^ai; 21:43 ^aj.