Mateo 9
Palabra de Dios para Todos
Jesús sana a un paralítico
(Mr 2:1-12; Lc 5:17-26)
9 Jesús subió a una barca y atravesó el lago para regresar a su propio pueblo. 2 Entonces le trajeron a un hombre que estaba en una camilla, pues era paralítico. Cuando Jesús vio la fe que tenían, le dijo al paralítico:
—Ánimo, hijo, tus pecados quedan perdonados.
3 Algunos maestros de la ley se dijeron: «Esta es una ofensa a Dios». 4 Pero como Jesús sabía lo que estaban pensando, dijo:
—¿Por qué están pensando mal? 5 Tal vez piensen que es más fácil que yo le diga: “Tus pecados quedan perdonados”, porque eso no se puede comprobar. Pero si le digo: “¡Levántate y anda!” 6 y así sucede, entonces quedará comprobado que el Hijo del hombre tiene en la tierra el poder de perdonar pecados.
Así que Jesús le dijo al paralítico:
—Levántate, recoge tu camilla y vete a tu casa.
7 Él se levantó y se fue a su casa. 8 Cuando la multitud vio esto, se llenó de miedo y alababa a Dios por traer tal poder a los seres humanos.
Mateo sigue a Jesús
(Mr 2:13-17; Lc 5:27-32)
9 Jesús ya se iba cuando vio a un hombre llamado Mateo sentado en el lugar donde se pagaban los impuestos. Jesús le dijo: «Sígueme». Entonces Mateo se levantó y lo siguió.
10 Jesús estaba comiendo en la casa de Mateo y allí llegaron muchos cobradores de impuestos y pecadores. Todos comieron con Jesús y sus seguidores. 11 Cuando los fariseos vieron esto, empezaron a preguntar a los seguidores de Jesús:
—¿Cómo es que su maestro está comiendo con los cobradores de impuestos y pecadores?
12 Jesús los oyó y les dijo:
—Los sanos no necesitan médico, los enfermos sí. 13 (A)Así que vayan y averigüen lo que significan estas palabras: “Yo no quiero sacrificios, sino que ustedes tengan compasión”.[a] Pues yo no he venido a invitar a los buenos a que me sigan, sino a los pecadores.
Una pregunta sobre el ayuno
(Mr 2:18-22; Lc 5:33-39)
14 Entonces los seguidores de Juan el Bautista se acercaron a Jesús y le preguntaron:
—Nosotros y los fariseos ayunamos casi siempre, pero tus seguidores nunca lo hacen, ¿por qué?
15 Jesús les contestó:
—Cuando hay una boda, los amigos del novio no están tristes mientras él está con ellos, pero llegará el día en que se llevarán al novio y entonces ayunarán.
16 »Nadie arregla un vestido viejo con un retazo de tela nueva, porque la tela nueva se encoge y rasga el vestido viejo, entonces se romperá más. 17 Ni tampoco echa vino nuevo en cueros viejos, porque así los cueros se revientan, el vino se derrama y los cueros se dañan. Más bien se echa el vino nuevo en cueros nuevos, así ambos se conservan.
La hija de Jairo y la mujer enferma
(Mr 5:21-43; Lc 8:40-56)
18 Mientras Jesús les estaba diciendo esto, vino un dirigente de la sinagoga, se arrodilló ante él y le dijo:
—Mi hija acaba de morir, pero si tú vienes y colocas tu mano sobre ella, volverá a vivir.
19 Jesús se levantó y junto con sus seguidores se fue con él. 20 Entonces una mujer que llevaba doce años sufriendo de flujos de sangre, se le acercó a Jesús por detrás y le tocó el borde de su manto. 21 La mujer hizo esto porque pensaba: «Si alcanzo a tocar un pedazo de su manto, quedaré sana». 22 Jesús se dio la vuelta, la vio y dijo:
—¡Ánimo, hija! Tu fe te ha sanado.
Desde entonces la mujer quedó sana.
23 Cuando Jesús llegó a la casa del dirigente de la sinagoga, vio a los flautistas preparados para el funeral y a la multitud alborotada, y 24 les dijo:
—Sálganse todos. La niña no está muerta, está dormida.
Pero la gente empezó a burlarse de él. 25 Después de que sacaron a toda la gente de la casa, Jesús entró al cuarto de la niña, la tomó de la mano y ella se levantó. 26 La noticia corrió rápidamente por toda la región.
Jesús sana a más gente
27 Al salir Jesús de allí, dos ciegos lo siguieron, gritándole:
—¡Hijo de David, ten compasión de nosotros!
28 Cuando entró a la casa, los ciegos se le acercaron y Jesús les dijo:
—¿Ustedes creen que yo puedo hacer que recobren la vista?
Ellos respondieron:
—¡Sí Señor, creemos!
29 Entonces Jesús les tocó los ojos y dijo:
—Que les suceda tal como ustedes creen.
30 Los hombres recuperaron la vista y Jesús les advirtió muy seriamente:
—No dejen que nadie se entere de esto.
31 Pero ellos se fueron y difundieron la fama de Jesús por toda la región.
32 Cuando los dos hombres estaban saliendo, llegaron otros con un mudo que estaba atormentado por un demonio. 33 Jesús hizo que el demonio saliera y el hombre comenzó a hablar. La multitud se asombraba y decían:
—Nunca hemos visto algo así en Israel.
34 Pero los fariseos decían:
—Él expulsa demonios porque el jefe de los demonios le da poder para hacerlo.
Jesús tiene compasión de la gente
35 Jesús recorría todos los pueblos y aldeas, enseñando en las sinagogas proclamando el nuevo mensaje del reino[b] y sanando toda clase de enfermedades y dolencias. 36 Cuando Jesús veía a todos los que lo seguían, sentía compasión por ellos, pues estaban agobiados e indefensos. Eran como ovejas que no tienen pastor. 37 Entonces Jesús les dijo a sus seguidores:
—La cosecha es mucha, pero los trabajadores son pocos. 38 Por eso, pidan al Señor dueño de la cosecha que envíe trabajadores para recogerla.
Matthew 9
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 9
The Healing of a Paralyzed Man.[a] 1 Therefore, Jesus got into a boat and, crossing over the lake, arrived at his hometown.[b] 2 Some people then approached him, carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. On perceiving their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Take heart, son. Your sins are forgiven.”
3 On hearing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”[c] 4 Jesus perceived what they were thinking, and he said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 [d]Which is easier, to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say: ‘Stand up and walk’? 6 But so that you may come to realize that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralyzed man—“Stand up, take your bed, and go to your home.” 7 The man got up and returned to his home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God for having given such authority to men.
Jesus Calls Matthew.[e] 9 As Jesus walked on from there, he noticed a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. Jesus said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.
10 Jesus Dines with Sinners. When he was sitting at dinner in the house, many tax collectors[f] and sinners were seated with Jesus and his disciples. 11 On seeing this, the Pharisees said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “It is not the healthy who need a physician, but rather those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this text means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
14 A Time of Joy and Grace.[g] Then the disciples of John came to him and asked, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast but your disciples do not do so?” 15 Jesus answered, “How can the wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
16 “No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak, because the patch eventually pulls away from the cloak and a worse tear results. 17 Nor do people pour new wine into old wineskins, for if they do, the wineskins burst, the wine spills forth, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins. In this way both are preserved.”
18 Jesus Heals a Sick Woman and Raises a Dead Girl.[h] While he was saying these things to them, an official[i] came forward. He knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But if you come and lay your hand on her, she will live.” 19 Jesus then rose and followed him, together with his disciples.
20 Suddenly, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak. 21 For she thought to herself, “If only I touch his cloak, I shall be healed.” 22 Jesus turned and saw her, and he said, “Take heart, daughter! Your faith has healed you.” And from that moment the woman was cured.
23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players[j] and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead; she is asleep,”[k] but they laughed at him. 25 When the people had been sent outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the little girl stood up. 26 And the news of this spread throughout the entire district.
27 Jesus Heals Two Blind Men. As Jesus proceeded from there, two blind men followed him, crying out loudly, “Son of David,[l] have pity on us.” 28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men approached him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” They replied, “Yes, Lord, we do.” 29 Then Jesus touched their eyes, saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their sight was restored. Then Jesus sternly warned them, “See to it that no one learns about this.” 31 But as soon as they had departed, they spread the news about him throughout that entire district.
32 Jesus Heals a Mute Demoniac. As they left, a man who was possessed and unable to speak was brought to him. 33 When the demon had been driven out, the man who had been mute was able to speak. The crowds were amazed, and they said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees responded, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”[m]
35 The Harvest Is Abundant.[n] Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every kind of illness and disease. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were distressed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers for his harvest.”
Footnotes
- Matthew 9:1 The two preceding accounts have attested Jesus’ power over the frightful forces of nature and the unchained powers of hell. Here Christ delivers human beings from sin itself. For the first time he proclaims the forgiveness of sins—which is an act of God.
- Matthew 9:1 His hometown: Capernaum, which Jesus had made his headquarters.
- Matthew 9:3 Blaspheming: i.e., usurping God’s prerogative to forgive sins.
- Matthew 9:5 Christ indicates that it is easier to heal a person physically than to heal him spiritually. It is easier to heal a broken leg than a broken heart. As Son of Man, in his human nature, Christ has the power to forgive sins. Therefore, he could also bestow it on his apostles (see Mt 18:18; Jn 20:22); and just as they worked miracles only in his name (see Acts 3:6), they and their successors can forgive sins only in his name and by his authority.
- Matthew 9:9 Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector to follow him, then eats at Matthew’s house together with “many tax collectors” and “sinners.” The Jews are shocked, but Jesus reminds them that it is the sick who need a doctor and God desires mercy rather than sacrifice.
- Matthew 9:10 Tax collectors: see note on Mt 5:46.
- Matthew 9:14 The time when Jesus lived on earth was one of joy and grace. Later there would be a time for Jesus’ disciples to fast, for the Bridegroom would be taken from them. In ancient times, goatskins were used to hold wine. As the wine fermented, it would expand and the new wineskins would stretch. But a used wineskin could not expand any more and would break. In the same way, the teaching that Jesus brings cannot be kept in the old forms.
- Matthew 9:18 Jesus rewards the faith of a father in distress and the trust of a sick and timid woman. He does not deceive those who believe him to be Master of the impossible. Human beings organize ceremonies of sorrow that are important in the East (v. 23); Jesus brings life, for this twofold gesture announces that in the kingdom of God sickness and death no longer have a place (see Jn 5:26-29): this is the message that the Church must proclaim.
- Matthew 9:18 Official: literally, “ruler” or “leader.” See note on Mk 5:22.
- Matthew 9:23 Flute players: musicians who were hired to play at mourning ceremonies. Crowd: mourners who were hired to wail and lament.
- Matthew 9:24 Asleep: sleep is a metaphor for death (see Ps 87:6 LXX; Dan 12:2; 1 Thes 5:10). Jesus does not deny the child’s death but indicates that she will arise from it as from a sleep.
- Matthew 9:27 Son of David: a popular Jewish title for the Messiah who was to come (e.g., Mt 12:23; 20:30; 21:9; 22:41-45; see note on Mt 1:1).
- Matthew 9:34 The debate with the Pharisees on this claim will continue in Mt 12:25ff.
- Matthew 9:35 As in Mt 4:23-25, the evangelist concludes this part of his book with an action of Christ that shows compassion for the distress of the crowds and inculcates confidence in his followers. Jesus insistently works to impart the mercy of God upon all who come to him. He calls upon all who have the privilege of believing in him and benefiting from his salvation to share his concern for the misery of their neighbors. He seeks people who, like him and after him, will apply themselves to this task.
Matthew 9
New International Version
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man(A)
9 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.(B) 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man,(C) lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith,(D) he said to the man, “Take heart,(E) son; your sins are forgiven.”(F)
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”(G)
4 Knowing their thoughts,(H) Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man(I) has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God,(J) who had given such authority to man.
The Calling of Matthew(K)
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,”(L) he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”(M)
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a](N) For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”(O)
Jesus Questioned About Fasting(P)
14 Then John’s(Q) disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often,(R) but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?(S) The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.(T)
16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman(U)
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him(V) and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her,(W) and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.(X) 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart,(Y) daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.”(Z) And the woman was healed at that moment.(AA)
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes,(AB) 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead(AC) but asleep.”(AD) But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.(AE) 26 News of this spread through all that region.(AF)
Jesus Heals the Blind and the Mute
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”(AG)
28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.(AH)
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”;(AI) 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”(AJ) 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.(AK)
32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed(AL) and could not talk(AM) was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”(AN)
34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”(AO)
The Workers Are Few
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.(AP) 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,(AQ) because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.(AR) 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest(AS) is plentiful but the workers are few.(AT) 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Footnotes
- Matthew 9:13 Hosea 6:6
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