Matthew 9
Mercy Comes Near
Jesus forgives sin, welcomes people others reject, heals the sick, and raises a girl from death. As the crowds grow, He sees their deep need and calls His disciples to pray for more workers.
Walking Through Matthew 9
Authority to Forgive (Matthew 9:1-8)
1 After getting into a boat he crossed to the other side and came to his own town. 2 Just then some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Have courage, son! Your sins are forgiven.” 3 Then some of the experts in the law said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” 4 When Jesus perceived their thoughts he said, “Why do you respond with evil in your hearts? 5 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then he said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.” 7 So he stood up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were afraid and honored God who had given such authority to men.Matthew 9:1-8 · NET Bible
Jesus returns to His own town, where people bring Him a paralyzed man. Seeing their faith, He first speaks to the man’s need for forgiveness. Some teachers of the law silently accuse Jesus of dishonoring God, because forgiving sins belongs to God. Jesus knows their thoughts. Healing the man gives visible proof of His authority as the Son of Man to forgive sins. The man gets up and goes home, and the crowd responds with awe and praise. I don’t want us to miss the order here: Jesus cares about the man’s body, but He also addresses his guilt before God. This does not mean the man’s condition came from a particular sin. It shows that Jesus’ authority reaches deeper than what anyone can see.
A Place at the Table (Matthew 9:9-13)
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow me,” he said to him. So he got up and followed him. 10 As Jesus was having a meal in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Jesus and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 When Jesus heard this he said, “Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. 13 Go and learn what this saying means: ‘ I want mercy and not sacrifice .’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”Matthew 9:9-13 · NET Bible
Jesus calls Matthew away from his tax booth, and Matthew follows. Tax collectors were widely disliked because they served the ruling powers and were often linked with dishonest gain. Jesus then shares a meal with tax collectors and others known as sinners. The Pharisees question His disciples about the company He keeps. Jesus answers with the picture of a doctor caring for sick people. His reference to Hosea 6:6 shows that God wants mercy, not religious acts emptied of love. Jesus is not saying that sin does not matter. He is explaining why He draws near to sinners. I find great hope here: our need does not make us unwelcome. Jesus comes to deal with the very thing that separates us from God.
Something New Has Arrived (Matthew 9:14-17)
14 Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?” 15 Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot mourn while the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days are coming when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment because the patch will pull away from the garment and the tear will be worse. 17 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the skins burst and the wine is spilled out and the skins are destroyed. Instead they put new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved.”Matthew 9:14-17 · NET Bible
John’s disciples ask why they and the Pharisees fast while Jesus’ disciples do not. Fasting means going without food for a time, often to express sorrow or seek God. Jesus compares His presence to a wedding celebration. While the bridegroom is there, joy is fitting. His words about being taken away point ahead to His death, when His followers will fast. He then describes an unshrunk patch tearing an old garment and new wine bursting old wineskins. As new wine develops, it releases gas and needs skins that can stretch. These pictures show that Jesus’ work cannot simply be fitted into familiar religious patterns. He fulfills God’s promises, but His arrival also brings a new stage in God’s saving work.
Hope in the Face of Death (Matthew 9:18-26)
18 As he was saying these things, a leader came, bowed low before him, and said, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live.” 19 Jesus and his disciples got up and followed him. 20 But a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for 12 years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 For she kept saying to herself, “If only I touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 22 But when Jesus turned and saw her he said, “Have courage, daughter! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed from that hour. 23 When Jesus entered the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the disorderly crowd, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but asleep!” And they began making fun of him. 25 But when the crowd had been forced outside, he went in and gently took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the news of this spread throughout that region.Matthew 9:18-26 · NET Bible
A ruler kneels before Jesus and asks Him to restore his daughter, who has died. On the way, a woman who has suffered bleeding for twelve years touches Jesus’ garment. Under Israel’s law, her condition made her ceremonially unclean, limiting her place in worship and daily life. Jesus does not shame her. He calls her daughter and tells her that her faith has made her well. Her hope rests in Him, not in the cloth itself. At the ruler’s house, mourners laugh when Jesus describes the girl as sleeping. He is not denying her death; He knows He can wake her from it. He takes her hand, and she rises. News spreads through the region. Neither long suffering nor death is beyond His authority.
The Same Deeds, Different Responses (Matthew 9:27-34)
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men began to follow him, shouting, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 When he went into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about this!” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him throughout that entire region. 32 As they were going away, a man who was demon-possessed and unable to speak was brought to him. 33 After the demon was cast out, the man who had been mute began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel!” 34 But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of demons he casts out demons!”Matthew 9:27-34 · NET Bible
Two blind men follow Jesus, calling Him the Son of David. This title points to the promised King from David’s family. Inside the house, Jesus asks whether they believe He can heal them. They say yes, and He touches their eyes and restores their sight. Their faith receives His help; it does not create His power. Jesus firmly tells them to keep quiet, but they spread the news. Their joy does not excuse their failure to obey. Next, Jesus frees a man whose inability to speak is caused by a demon. The crowd marvels, while the Pharisees claim that His power comes from the ruler of demons. Matthew shows a growing divide: some welcome the evidence of God’s mercy, while others explain it away.
The Need Behind the Crowd (Matthew 9:35-38)
35 Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest-ready fields.”Matthew 9:35-38 · NET Bible
Jesus travels through towns and villages, teaching in synagogues, announcing the good news of God’s kingdom, and healing every kind of disease. But Matthew also tells us how Jesus sees the people. They are troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Israel’s Scriptures often describe leaders as shepherds, so this picture points to a people who need faithful care and guidance. Jesus feels deep compassion for them. He then changes the picture to a field ready for harvest, with too few workers to gather it. He tells His disciples to ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers. I notice that His response begins with compassion, not frustration. In the next chapter, the disciples who hear this command will themselves be sent.
- Mercy — loving care for people in need, including those who have sinned.
- Authority — the rightful power to act; Jesus shows it by forgiving, healing, and restoring life.
Who is easy for you to see as a problem rather than as someone who needs a shepherd?
Lord Jesus, thank You for drawing near to people who need mercy. Forgive our pride and give us Your compassion for others. Send workers into Your harvest, and make us willing to serve where You lead.