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
Lexham English Bible
A Paralytic Healed
9 And getting into a boat, he crossed over and came to his own town.[a] 2 And behold, they brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher, and when[b] Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Have courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” 4 And knowing[c] their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and go to your home.” 7 And he got up and[d] went to his home. 8 But when[e] the crowds saw this,[f] they were afraid and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
Matthew Called to Follow Jesus
9 And as[g] Jesus was going away from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth and said to him, “Follow me!” And he stood up and[h] followed him.
10 And it happened as[i] he was dining[j] in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners were coming and[k] dining[l] with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when they[m] saw it,[n] the Pharisees began to say to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 And when he[o] heard it,[p] he said, “Those who are healthy do not have need of a physician, but those who are sick.[q] 13 But go and[r] learn what it means, “I want mercy and not sacrifice.”[s] For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
On Fasting
14 Then the disciples of John[t] approached him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “The bridegroom’s attendants[u] are not able to mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them. But days are coming when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 But no one puts a patch of unshrunken cloth on an old garment, for its patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear becomes worse. 17 Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise[v] the wineskins burst and the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are destroyed. But they put new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved.”
A Woman Healed and a Daughter Raised
18 As[w] he was saying these things to them, behold, one of the rulers came and[x] knelt down before him, saying, “My daughter has just now died, but come, place your hand on her and she will live!” 19 And Jesus and his disciples got up and[y] followed him. 20 And behold, a woman who had been suffering with a hemorrhage twelve years approached from behind and[z] touched the edge[aa] of his cloak, 21 for she said to herself, “If only I touch his cloak I will be healed.” 22 But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Have courage, daughter! Your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that hour.
23 And when[ab] Jesus came into the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the disorderly crowd, 24 he said, “Go away, because the girl is not dead, but is sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. 25 But when the crowd had been sent out, he entered and[ac] took her hand, and the girl got up. 26 And this report went out into that whole region.
Two Blind Men Healed
27 And as[ad] Jesus was going away from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 And when he[ae] came into the house, the blind men approached him, and 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, “According to your faith let it be done for you.” 30 And their eyes were opened, and Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one finds out.” 31 But they went out and[af] spread the report about him in that whole region.
A Demon Expelled
32 Now as[ag] they were going away, behold, they brought to him a demon-possessed man who was unable to speak. 33 And after[ah] the demon had been expelled, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were astonished, saying, “This has never been seen before[ai] in Israel!” 34 But the Pharisees were saying,[aj] “By the ruler of demons he expels the demons!”
A Plentiful Harvest But Few Workers
35 And Jesus was going around all the towns and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every[ak] disease and every[al] sickness. 36 And when he[am] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were weary and dejected, like sheep that did not have 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 that he send out workers into his harvest.”
Footnotes
- Matthew 9:1 A reference to Capernaum
- Matthew 9:2 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
- Matthew 9:4 Some manuscripts have “perceiving”
- Matthew 9:7 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Matthew 9:8 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
- Matthew 9:8 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Matthew 9:9 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
- Matthew 9:9 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stood up”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Matthew 9:10 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was dining”)
- Matthew 9:10 Literally “was reclining at table”
- Matthew 9:10 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“were coming”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Matthew 9:10 Literally “reclining at table”
- Matthew 9:11 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
- Matthew 9:11 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Matthew 9:12 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
- Matthew 9:12 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Matthew 9:12 Literally “having badly”
- Matthew 9:13 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“go”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Matthew 9:13 A quotation from Hos 6:6 (see also Matt 12:7)
- Matthew 9:14 That is, John the Baptist
- Matthew 9:15 Literally “the sons of the bridal chamber”
- Matthew 9:17 Literally “but if not”
- Matthew 9:18 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was saying”)
- Matthew 9:18 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Matthew 9:19 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Matthew 9:20 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“approached”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Matthew 9:20 Or “tassel”
- Matthew 9:23 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal
- Matthew 9:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“entered”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Matthew 9:27 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“going away”) which is understood as temporal
- Matthew 9:28 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal
- Matthew 9:31 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went out”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Matthew 9:32 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were going away”)
- Matthew 9:33 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had been expelled”)
- Matthew 9:33 Literally “never has it been seen thus”
- Matthew 9:34 Or “began to say”
- Matthew 9:35 Or “every kind of”
- Matthew 9:35 Or “every kind of”
- Matthew 9:36 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
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