Notes on Matthew 7:24-9:34

The Wise and Foolish Builders - Matthew 7:24-27

All of Jesus' Sermon is inviting people to wise rather than foolish living, just like the Proverbs of the OT. In the NT, Jesus is the center of truth and wisdom. The one who listens to Jesus' words (Matt. 7:26) is wise. But hearing alone is not enough. One must also respond with a change of life — "hears my words and obeys them" — because the people of God are the ones who do God's will in faith (Matt. 12:50; Jam. 1:22-25; 2:14-26).

When Jesus finished speaking - Matthew 7:28

When Jesus finished speaking these words. Matthew uses this phrase to indicate the conclusion to each of the five major teaching blocks throughout his Gospel (Matt. 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1).

One who had authority – Matthew 7:29

As one who had authority. Matthew regularly presents Jesus as having authority in teaching, over demons and sickness, and over nature (Matt. 8:27; 9:6; 11:27; 26:64; 28:18). This puts Jesus into contrast with the scribes and Pharisees who had teaching and strict rules but without God's authoritative power and effect.

Jesus' Ministry of Power - Matthew 8:1-9:34

Matthew describes Jesus' ministry of the "gospel of the kingdom" with three aspects: teaching and preaching, healing through Jesus' power, and the call to follow as a disciple. Matt. 4:23-25 and 9:35-38 frame this ministry. Matt. 5:1–7:29 give the teaching and preaching. Matt. 8:1–9:34 contains a series of stories that show Jesus' power and disciple-making.

A leper - Matthew 8:2

A leper. Leprosy was a term used to describe a variety of skin diseases, but especially to an infection now called Hansen's disease which often resulted in paralysis and rotting flesh. Leprosy is contagious and so lepers were forced to live separately. In the Law this disease also made a person ceremonially unclean (Lev. 13). Jesus showed his compassion and power by not only healing this leper but also by touching him, thus cleansing him completely.

Say nothing – Matthew 8:4

Say nothing to any man. Jesus knew that the healing part of his ministry was important but not the only thing he was called to do. He was sent to preach the message of God's coming kingdom (Matt. 4:17). When people who were healed by Jesus told others (see also Matt. 9:30-31), the result was that Jesus was surrounded by crowds so much that he had difficulty teaching and traveling to other places (Mark 1:45).

Show yourself to the priest – Matthew 8:4

Show yourself to the priest. Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17), and before his death and resurrection the Mosaic covenant was still in effect. Jesus showed himself to be submissive to God's will completely

The centurion - Matthew 8:5

The centurion. During Jesus' day, Jewish people were ruled and oppressed by the Roman Empire. A centurion was a Roman solider who was in charge of 100 other men. Centurions were feared and hated by the Jewish people. This centurion recognized Jesus' authority, a repeated theme in Matthew (Matt. 7:29; 9:6; 11:27; 26:64; 28:18).

Such faith – Matthew 8:10

Not found such faith in Israel. The shocking point of Jesus' statement is that this Gentile centurion believed in Jesus and his authority while most of the surrounding Jewish people do not. This Gentile man's faith was commended as an example of God raising up faithful children for himself from stones (Matt. 3:9), and shows the contrast between many Gentiles who believed in Jesus while the Jewish leaders did not, such as with the foreign magi (Matt. 2:1-12).

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