Matthew 9

Son of Man

Son of Man — Son of Man of Holiness (Moses 6:57)

And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. Matthew 9:1–8

The scribes think only God can forgive sins, and they are right. Jesus proves He has that power by healing the paralyzed man in front of them.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 2:1-12 — Mark's account of healing the man let down through the roof.
• a parallel account in Luke 5:17-26 — Luke's account of the same healing.
• interpreted by Moses 6:57 — The name of the Father's Only Begotten is the Son of Man.

Jesus calls Matthew

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. Matthew 9:9

Jesus calls a tax collector — a man others despised — and Matthew leaves everything to follow. The author of this Gospel tells his own conversion in one verse.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 2:14 — Mark's account, naming him Levi.
• a parallel account in Luke 5:27-28 — Luke's account of Levi leaving all.

The Physician

Physician — the Healer of souls

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. Matthew 9:10–13

Jesus eats with sinners because He is their Physician. He came to heal the spiritually sick, and He asks for mercy more than outward ritual.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Hosea 6:6 — For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice.
• a parallel account in Mark 2:15-17 — Mark's account of the feast with publicans.
• a parallel account in Luke 5:29-32 — Luke's account of the same feast.

The Bridegroom

Bridegroom — Christ, who is covenanted to His people as a husband to his bride

Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? Matthew 9:14–15

Jesus calls Himself the Bridegroom. While He is with His disciples it is a time of joy like a wedding feast, not of mourning.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Isaiah 62:5 — As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
• the same title in Matthew 25:1-13 — The parable of the ten virgins awaiting the bridegroom.
• the same title in D&C 133:10 — 'Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.'
• a parallel account in Mark 2:18-20 — Mark's account of the question about fasting.

The Bridegroom taken away

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. Matthew 9:15

Early in His ministry Jesus quietly foretells His death: the Bridegroom will be taken away. His disciples would mourn and fast when He was crucified.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 53:8 — He was taken from prison and from judgment ... cut off out of the land of the living.
• a parallel account in Luke 5:35 — Luke's account of the same saying.

New wine in new bottles

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Matthew 9:16–17

Jesus teaches that His gospel is not a patch on old traditions. The new covenant He brings needs new hearts to hold it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 2:21-22 — Mark's account of the same sayings.

Power over death

While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. Matthew 9:18–26

Jesus takes a dead girl by the hand and she rises. To Him death is only sleep, because He is the Resurrection and the Life.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 5:22-43 — Mark's account naming the ruler Jairus.
• a parallel account in Luke 8:41-56 — Luke's account of the same miracle.
• the same title in John 11:25 — 'I am the resurrection, and the life.'
• fulfils Mosiah 3:5 — The Lord would go forth raising the dead.

Healing in His wings

Sun of Righteousness — Christ, who rises with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2)

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: Matthew 9:20–22

The 'hem' was the fringe or corner of a Jewish garment; the Hebrew word for these corners is the same as 'wings.' Many see this healing as a picture of Malachi's promise that the Sun of Righteousness would arise with healing in His wings.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Malachi 4:2 — The Sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 25:2 — The Savior gave Malachi's same promise to the Nephites.
• alludes to Numbers 15:38-39 — Israel was commanded to put fringes on the borders of their garments.
• a parallel account in Mark 5:25-34 — Mark's account of the woman healed.

Son of David

Son of David — the promised Messiah-King from David's line

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. Matthew 9:27–31

Two blind men call Jesus 'son of David,' confessing Him as the Messiah. He opens their eyes according to their faith, doing what the prophets said the Messiah would do.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Matthew 1:1 — Matthew opens by naming Jesus the son of David.
• fulfils Isaiah 35:5 — Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened.
• fulfils Mosiah 3:5 — The Lord would cause the blind to receive their sight.

Jesus heals the dumb man

As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. Matthew 9:32–34

Jesus frees a man from a devil and he speaks. The crowds see something new in Israel, while the Pharisees try to explain His power away.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 35:6 — The tongue of the dumb shall sing.

Ministry of Jesus

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35

Matthew summarizes Jesus' ministry: teaching, preaching, and healing everywhere He went.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Matthew 4:23 — The same summary of His ministry in Galilee.

The Good Shepherd

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Jesus feels deep compassion for people who are lost and tired like sheep without a shepherd. He is the Shepherd God promised to send to gather His scattered flock.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Numbers 27:17 — Moses prays that Israel be not as sheep which have no shepherd; the Lord appoints Joshua (the same name as Jesus).
• alludes to Ezekiel 34:5 — They were scattered, because there is no shepherd.
• fulfils Ezekiel 34:23 — I will set up one shepherd over them, even my servant David.
• the same title in John 10:11 — 'I am the good shepherd.'

Lord of the Harvest

Lord of the Harvest — the Lord who owns the field of souls and sends its workers

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Matthew 9:37–38

Jesus tells His disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest for more workers. In the very next verses He calls and sends the Twelve Himself, acting as that Lord.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Alma 26:7 — Ammon: 'they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest.'
• the same title in Luke 10:2 — The same charge given when He sends the seventy.
• fulfilled by Matthew 10:1 — He immediately calls and empowers twelve labourers.