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Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Perceive His Kingdom Coming

 


Welcome to this study of Matthew's Gospel, a collaboration between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. Before you begin, read Matthew Chapter 13. When you have finished reading, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom.


Introduction

In Matthew Chapter 13 we find 7 parables about the kingdom of heaven. These were delivered from a boat and the crowd gathered on the beach to listen. Jesus described the kingdom by using examples from daily life: sowing, baking, buying and selling, and fishing with a net. The disciples asked Jesus why he taught using parables. He replied, "Let those who have ears hear." He said that some are not able to hear the truth about the kingdom. 

Later Jesus went into the house where his disciples asked him to explain the parable of the weeds in the field. When Jesus asked them if they understood, they said "yes", but their understanding was that of people looking through a glass "darkly" as Jesus' glory was not revealed to them until His resurrection and ascension.


Questions

1. The parable of the Sower speaks of 4 spiritual realities. What are they?

2. Why is it important to try to understand the Gospel?

3. What is the message of Jesus' parable of the Mustard Seed?

4. What is the message of the leaven worked into the loaf?

5. The farmer who found weeds sown in his field by an enemy tells his servants to allow them to grow until the harvest. What does this reveal about God's patience and compassion?

6. The parable of the treasure hidden in a field has been interpreted differently depending on the man's identity. What are the possible interpretations of this parable?

7. What is the meaning of the parable of the pearl? (See also Matthew 7:6.)

8. What is the meaning of the parable of the catch of fish?

9. What does it mean to be trained for the kingdom? (vv. 51-52)

10. Jesus did not work many miracles in his hometown. Why is a prophet without honor among his own people?


Answers

1. Seed that falls on the path represents lack of understanding and is snatched by the evil one. Seed that falls on rocky ground fails to gain roots and the weak plant withers in the sun. Matthew relates this seed on rocky ground to those who fall away in times of persecution. Seed that falls among the thorns is choked and unfruitful. This relates to people who delight in worldly things. Seed that falls on good soil bears much fruit. This relates to those who hear the Gospel and understand it. 

2. Jesus explained that "When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart" (v. 19). We are to seek understanding or what we have will be taken from us. Matthew 13:12 warns, "For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."

3. From something very small and seemingly insignificant can come developments of great significance. Healthy spiritual growth is incremental and often not noticed. The kingdom of heaven grows from humble beginnings into a great tree that provides shelter for many birds. This was not a message the Jews wanted to hear. They were seeking a Messiah who would immediately deliver them from Roman rule. They sought a political solution.

4. A woman mixes leaven into flour and waits for it to rise. The kingdom of heaven, like leaven, is hidden from the undiscerning. It works secretly. Jesus quotes the prophet Asaph: "I will open my mouth in parables. I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world." This is a reference to Psalm 78 which is ascribed to Asaph the Seer. He is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 29:30. 

5. By allowing the weeds to grow with the wheat, the wheat is not damaged and lost. This parable is explained in 2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, but is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Jesus explained the parable to his disciples privately in a house (v. 36). He said, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father." (Matthew 13:37-43)

6. Interpretations of the parable of the hidden treasure depend on who one believes the "man" to be. The man may represent an individual who discovers Jesus, the hidden treasure. He gives up everything to gain Jesus. However, the "man" may be Jesus whose hidden treasure is the church or the fallen world for which he gave up his life. In Matthew's Gospel, the "man" often represents Jesus (Matt 13:24, 13:31, 25:14).

7. The parable of the pearl describes a person of great discernment. He judges the value of the kingdom of heaven against other claims and recognizes its surpassing worth. We are to discern truth from falsehood, good from evil, and the will of God from our own wills. Hebrews 5:14 speaks of this: “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Discerning Christians recognize that nothing is of greater value than being in the kingdom of heaven.

8. The parable of the catch of fish is about the final judgement when the angels will sort the good fish from the bad. Jesus explained, "The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (v.49)

9. Jesus describes one trained for the kingdom as a scribe. In Jewish culture, a scribe was a well-informed individual who knew Scripture well. Jesus told his disciples that they should be like that. He wanted them to uphold what is good and spiritually valuable from the old traditions as well as from the new. They were to appropriate the truth about the kingdom of heaven from the Hebrew Scriptures and from their direct experience of Jesus Messiah. The Apostle Paul reminds us that while we now "see through a glass, darkly" and know only in part, the day will dawn when we shall know even as we are also known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

10. There is a saying that "familiarity breeds contempt." Jesus family and community knew him from childhood. Knowledge of someone often leads to a loss of respect for them. John's Gospel explains that Jesus' brothers did not believe in him (John 7:5). The rumors circulating about Jesus being the Messiah must have been difficult for them to accept. However, this changed. Jesus' half-brother James became a prominent figure in the Jerusalem Church. His leadership was characterized by wisdom, piety, and commitment to both Jewish traditions and faith in Jesus Messiah. 

Jewish rabbis typically taught using parables that they strung together like pearls on a string. Jesus was teaching the people in a manner that was familiar to them.

Join us next week when we explore the riches of Matthew Chapter 14.


Related Reading

Matthew Chapter 6: True Kingdom Seekers
Matthew Chapter 7: Entering by the Narrow Gate
Matthew Chapter 8: The Uniqueness of Jesus
Matthew Chapter 9: Christ the Compassionate Lord
Matthew Chapter 10: The Apostles' High Calling
Matthew Chapter 11: The Messiah Brings Relief
Matthew Chapter 12: Greater Glory Resides in Jesus


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Friday, November 28, 2025

Greater Glory Resides in Jesus

 



Welcome to this study of Matthew's Gospel, a collaboration between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. Before you begin, read Matthew Chapter 12. When you have finished reading, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom.


Introduction

Matthew Chapter 12 addresses the authority of the Lord Jesus over the seen and the unseen world. This chapter also presents some of the accusations brought against Jesus by the Jewish religious leaders and provides his responses to their accusations. This chapter is the first place in Matthew's Gospel that we find the phrase "Kingdom of God". (See also Matthew 19:24, 21:31 and 43.) The Kingdom of God is the Kingdom of Christ whose glory surpasses all things.


Questions

1. What action of Jesus' disciples offended the Pharisees?

2. What story did Jesus use to justify his disciples' action of picking grain on the Sabbath?

3. What did Jesus mean when he said he is the "Lord of the Sabbath"?

4. How did people react when they witnessed Jesus' many miracles?

5. What was Jesus' response to the claim that his miracles were worked by demonic power? 

6. Jesus stated that every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven but one. Which will not be forgiven?

7. Some Scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus to see a sign. What was Jesus' response?

8. When Jesus speaks of faithless Israel as "adulterous", on what tradition is he drawing?

9. A house swept of evil is only good under what conditions?

10. What did Jesus mean when he referred to his disciples as his mother and brothers?


Answers

1. Jesus' hungry disciples picked heads of grain and ate them as they walked through a field on the way to the synagogue. Some Pharisees viewed this as a violation of the command not to work on the Sabbath in Exodus 20:8-11.

2. To justify his disciples' action of picking grain on the Sabbath, Jesus reminded the Pharisees of the time when David and his men came to the Tabernacle seeking food. The only food the priest Ahimelech had was the bread of the Presence (Shewbread) which only priests were permitted to eat (Lev. 24:5-9). David and his men were fleeing from King Saul who wanted to kill them. Their desperate hunger was satisfied when Ahimelech gave them the holy bread off the altar. That action cost Ahimelech his life. Saul put Ahimelech and his fellow priests to death, as well as the citizens of the town of Nob (1 Sam. 22:16–19).

3. As the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus has the authority to do whatever pleases him on that day. His concern about his disciples' hunger was of greater importance to him than the rigidity of the Jewish Sabbath laws. He said that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath (v. 12). He explained that he is greater even than the Temple which the Jews regarded as their most holy possession.

4. Some people wondered if Jesus was the "Son of David", meaning the Messiah. The Pharisees claimed that Jesus worked miracles by the power of Beelzebul, the "prince of demons" (v. 24). The word Be'el zebub means “Lord of dung” and is also translated Ba'al Zebuwb which means “lord of the flies” because fresh dung attracts flies. Baal or Beel is derived from the Ancient Akkadian word bel, meaning "lord of..." and the word for dung in the Ancient Akkadian is ze. Akkadian is the oldest known Semitic language. The name became a synonym for Satan in late Jewish theology. 

5. In verses 25-27, Jesus reasoned that any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste. He added that "if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself". How then will his kingdom stand? Jesus states that a kingdom divided against itself is laid waste in three of the Gospels (Luke 11:17; Mark 3:25; Matthew 12:25). All three instances are in response to the Pharisees’ blasphemous accusation that Jesus was healing and casting out demons by the power of Satan. Essentially, the Jewish leaders were accusing Jesus of working miracles by Satan's power.

6. The sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not forgiven. Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin—for they had said, 'He has an unclean spirit. '" (Mark 3:28–30).

7. Jesus declared them to be an "evil and adultery generation" to which no sign would be given except the sign of Jonah who was 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of the whale (vv. 38-40). He also declared that the "Queen of the South" would rise up in judgement against them (v. 42). Here Jesus foretold his third day resurrection. He asserted his identity as Messiah, saying that Queen of Sheba heard about Solomon's wisdom and the splendor of his rule and traveled a great distance to witness it (1 Kgs 10:1–29). Those who were questioning Jesus were witnessing something greater than the Temple and greater than Solomon in all his glory.

8. The Old Testament prophets often used the metaphor of adultery to describe Israel's failure to love and obey God. Just as a spouse might be unfaithful in marriage, Israel was spiritually unfaithful to God. (See what these prophets said: Jer. 3:8, Ezek. 23:37, Hos. 2:2-10.) However, though faithless Israel strays from God, the Lord remains faithful to his vows.

9. Speaking of this "evil generation" Jesus described a house swept clean. Though the evil is temporarily expelled, it returns unless the house has been filled with good. An evil generation needs more than spiritual cleansing. It must be filled with the Holy Spirit, or its later condition will be worse than the first condition.

10. Jesus declared that anyone who does the will of His Father in heaven is his brother and sister and mother, meaning that those who follow Christ and do God's will are connected like family. Note that there were women among his disciples. From the beginning, Jesus' disciples included women. Luke 8:1-3 names these women specifically: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. They accompanied Jesus during his ministry and supported him out of their private resources. The brothers of Jesus are also mentioned in John Chapter 7 where we are told that his brothers did not believe in him. These were not Mary's sons. They were the sons of Joseph by his other marriage.


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Thursday, November 20, 2025

The Messiah Brings Relief

 


Welcome to this study of Matthew's Gospel, a collaboration between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. For 9 months in 1997 Mary read the New Testament in her sickbed and took notes on each of the books. In this study, we use Mary's notes and Alice offers points of historical and anthropological relevance.

Read Matthew chapter 11. When you have finished reading, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom.


Introduction

While John the Baptizer was in prison, he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask, "Are you the One?" Jesus sent them back to John with the assurance that he was the long-awaited Messiah, the Christ. Jesus referred to the signs he performed that the Hebrew Scriptures associated with the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus performed these signs in many towns and villages, but the people of some locations did not believe in Him. Jesus said that some of the cities in which he performed miracles would be condemned more than the cities of Tyre and Sidon.

Jesus testified concerning John that he was sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah's appearing. He proclaimed that John was a great prophet and told the crowds that John is Elijah who is to come.

Jesus claimed a unique relationship to God which he offered to those who come to him in faith. He explained that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. He thanked his Father for revealing his identity and spiritual truths to people with childlike hearts while concealing them from people who were regarded as wise and learned. 

Questions

1. What specific miracles were signs of the Messiah?

2. How did Jesus describe John the Baptizer?

3. What did Jesus mean when he said that John was Elijah to come?

4. How does Jesus describe "this generation"?

5. Which 3 cities did Jesus specifically condemn for lack of faith?

6. What did Tyre and Sidon represent for Jesus' Jewish audiences?

7. Matthew 11:25-26 is a short prayer. What does this prayer reveal about Jesus' relationship to God?

8. Where in the Bible do we find examples of hidden sons?

9. Jesus and his Heavenly Father have intimate knowledge of one another. How does Jesus explain this? (See verse 27.)

10. Jesus invites people to take up his yoke because it is easy. What might this have meant for his Jewish listeners?


Answers

1. Jesus gave sight to the blind. At least 8 persons were healed of their blindness in the Gospels. He healed the lame, cleansed the lepers, made the deaf to hear, raised the dead, and proclaimed good news (the Gospel) to the poor. Referring to the Messiah's appearing, Isaiah 29:18-19 states that "In that day the deaf will hear the words of the book, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see". Isaiah 35:5-6 indicates that these signs would attend Messiah's appearing "the eyes of the blind are opened, the ears of the deaf are unstopped, the lame leap like a deer, and the mute sing for joy."

2. Jesus said that John was more than a prophet because he was sent by God as a messenger (angelic) to prepare the people for Messiah's appearing. That is why John is sometimes called John the Forerunner. Jesus said that no human has been born who is greater than John. Jesus also noted that, even though John lived simply and righteously, some said he had a demon (v. 18). Church tradition and Scripture indicate that John and Jesus were cousins. John's mother, Elizabeth, married Zechariah of the priestly line of Abijah (Luke 1:5, 8). That was the eighth division of Hebrew priests.

3. Jesus was addressing a common notion among the Jews that a sign of Messiah's appearing would be a return of the prophet Elijah. At the Passover meal a place is set for the prophet Elijah which includes a cup of wine and an empty chair. Setting a place for Elijah expresses hope for future redemption. At the end of the seder ceremony, the door is opened to see if Elijah has arrived. Jesus employed a Jewish belief to explain John the Baptizer's importance.

4. Jesus describes "this generation" as children playing in the marketplace who complain that others won't dance when they play the flute and won't mourn when they wailed. Jesus described people who were unreceptive to his message and to the message of John the Forerunner because they were self-centered, like children. Ultimately, Jesus concludes that wisdom is vindicated by her deeds or results, meaning that God's plan will be proven true, despite the generation's rejection of it.

5. Jesus condemned Chorizin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for lack of faith. Matthew 11:21 and Luke 10:13 mention a synagogue in Chorizin where Jesus preached. The site is located a few miles north of the Sea of Galilee. A large fourth-century synagogue was built directly above the remains of a Jewish place of prayer from the time of Jesus. This earlier place is probably where Jesus preached in Chorizin. Take this video tour of the site.

6. In Jesus' time, Jews viewed Tyre and Sidon as enemy cities and places of idolatry. Jesus stated that they would have repented more readily than some Jewish cities if they witnessed His miracles. Ezekiel 28:11-19 notes the great antiquity of Tyre: "Son of Man, raise a lament over the king of Tyre and say to him: Thus says the Lord God: You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and flawless beauty. You were in Eden, in the Garden of God; every precious stone was your adornment... and gold beautifully wrought for you, mined for you, prepared the day you were created." King Hiram of Tyre provided King David with craftsmen and materials to build his palace (2 Samuel 5). In Mark's Gospel, Jesus' identity as Messiah is recognized in Tyre. For Mark, the Messiah’s appearing means the beginning of the restoration of Paradise. Perhaps Mark was thinking of the passage from Ezekiel 28. Mark explains that Jesus "could not pass unrecognized" in Tyre (Mark 7:24).

7. In this prayer, Jesus thanked his Father who he knows to be the "Lord of heaven and earth". He acknowledged that God hides some things from some people and reveals them to others. This is God's gracious will. Many times, Jesus commanded people to keep his Messianic identity a secret. This is especially evident in Mark's Gospel. The "Messianic secret" in Mark refers to Jesus' repeated instruction for healed individuals, demons, and even his disciples to keep his Messianic identity a secret.

8. In the Hebrew Bible, kinship lists such as the "begats" usually mention 3 sons, but one of them is hidden or veiled in the sense that we are given little information about them. Cain, Abel, and Seth (Gen. 4-5) serve as an example. Abel died and we have no further information about him. Another example is Ham, Shem, and Japheth (Gen. 5-9). We have much less information about Japheth than about his brothers Ham and Shem. A third example involves Haran, Nahor, and Abraham (Gen. 11-12). Haran died in Ur, and we have no more information about him. A final example is seen with Abraham's sons Yishmael (Ishmael), Yitzak (Isaac) and Yishbak (Gen. 16, 21, and 25). Yishbak is the hidden son, in that he was sent away. Yishbak means "sent away". Sent-away sons had to rely on God to deliver a territory/kingdom to them. They did not receive one from their earthly fathers. This is expressed in a Seder meal custom. At the Passover meal, three matzahs are enveloped, and the middle one is broken and hidden from the others. It is found after a search and returned to the group. The three matzahs are called the Unity, but we might refer to the unity as Three in One, or a Trinity. The Bible teaches that Jesus who was sent away from heaven will receive an eternal kingdom from his father. Jesus is the veiled or hidden son. The early Hebrew referred to the son of God as HR (Hur, Heru, Horus). In Proto-Egyptian HR was known as the "Hidden One" or the "Distant One". For thousands of years the Son of God was hidden but when he took on flesh he was revealed.

9. Jesus explains that his knowledge of his Father and his Father's knowledge of him is beyond human understanding. However, Jesus reveals his knowledge of the Father to whoever he chooses. 

10. Jesus invites people to take up his yoke because it is easy. A "yoke" is a wooden beam that joins two oxen or horses together so they can be used to plow a field. It symbolizes a life of hard servitude. The rabbis spoke of the "yoke" of the Law. Christ's yoke contrasts to the legalistic burdens of Judaism. Instead, he invites people to come to him for true rest for the soul. For Jesus' Jewish listeners this would have been a radical statement of freedom from the heavy burden of observing every rule of the Mosaic Law.

Join us next week as we delve into Matthew chapter 12. Invite your friends to join the study.


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Wednesday, November 12, 2025

The Apostles' High Calling

 



Welcome to this study of Matthew's Gospel, a collaborative effort between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. For 9 months in 1997 Mary was sick and too weak to stray far from her bed. During that time, she read the New Testament and took notes on each of the books. In our study of Matthew, we use Mary's notes and Alice offers points of historical and anthropological relevance.

Before you begin, read Matthew chapter 10. When you have finished reading, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom.


Introduction

Matthew chapter 10 narrates the calling of the 12 Apostles and the authority they received to raise the dead, heal the sick and infirm, and cast out demons. Jesus tells them to travel light and to receive provisions from those who are worthy. He warns them that they will be persecuted and maligned, but they are not to fear. Jesus Christ acknowledges all who acknowledge him as the Son of God. Those who take up the cross (v. 38) will face threats of destruction, but they will be rewarded by God.


Questions

1. Each of the original 12 Apostles is remembered by name. What does Matthew tell us about these men?

2. What is the difference between an "apostle" and a "disciple"?

3. What were the Apostles told to preach and teach about?

4. What geographical limits did Jesus initially place on the Apostles?

5. Why were the Apostles not to accept money for their ministries?

6. When a household offered hospitality to the Apostles, that house was saluted. What does that mean?

7. What forms of persecution did the Apostles face?

8. What encouragement did Jesus offer to the Apostles?

9. What must be the first priority of an Apostle?

10. Jesus promises to reward those who help his messengers. What rewards are to be given?



Answers

1. Matthew includes himself in the list of the original 12 Apostles and admits that he was a tax collector, a person the Jews resented. We are told about 2 sets of brothers: Andrew and Peter, and James and John. James and John were the sons of Zebedee whose name comes from the Hebrew Zebadyah. This name is constructed of two words: zebad means "given" or "endowed" and Yah refers to God/Yahweh. Bartholomew is a based on the name of a man's father or one of his ancestors (a patronymic). A patronymic typically has a prefix or suffix. Some examples include Johnson, O'Brien, and Ivanovich. Hebrew patronymics usually appear with the words ben or bar, meaning son or male descendant. In Numbers 13, Caleb is designated Kalev ben Jephunneh. 1 Chronicles 2:19 refers to Hur ben Kalev. Bar-tholomew is an Anglicized version of the Aramaic patronymic Bar-Talmai. Finally, we are told that Judas Iscariot was among the original 12 Apostles and that he betrayed Jesus.

2. A disciple is a follower and student of a teacher. The Jewish rabbis had many disciples (talmidim). An apostle is a disciple who has been given authority to spread the teacher's message and doctrines. The 12 Apostles received spiritual authority directly from Jesus Christ and were eyewitnesses to Jesus' resurrection. Some churches believe that the Apostles' authority is perpetuated through an unbroken line of bishops in apostolic succession.

3. Jesus told them to preach that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (v.7) They were to announce that God's heavenly rule is present through Jesus Christ. Those who follow Christ become citizens of His kingdom.

4. Jesus told the Apostles not to go to where the Gentiles and the Samaritans live, but to restrict themselves to the places where Jews lived. He referred to the Jews a "the lost sheep of the house of Israel".

5. Jesus told the Apostles not to accept money for their apostolic ministries because they had freely received and they were to give without pay. The act of selling religious things or acts of ministry is called "simony" after Simon Magus who offered payment to two disciples in exchange for empowering him with the Holy Spirit so he could place his hands on people and work miracles (Acts chapter 8). The term refers to trafficking for money in spiritual things. If the Apostles had accepted money for their ministries, they would have been viewed as no different than many of the Jewish religious leaders.

6. Jesus told the Apostles that the worker is deserving of their food. They were to find a "worthy" home in each new town they visited. They were to bless (salute) it with peace and stay there. If the people rejected them and their message, they were to leave and "shake the dust off their feet" as a symbolic act indicating God's rejection of that place at the coming judgment. The Apostles were to focus on receptive people and not waste time and energy on those who were hostile to the message. An Eastern salute includes a blessing or wishing a person peace and good health. This could be either spoken or in writing. Paul's letters typically begin and end with a salute or salutation. Philippians 4:22 is an example - "All the saints salute you, especially those who are of Caesar's household."

7. The Apostles faced being flogged in the synagogues, prosecution before councils and kings, spiteful treatment from their families and communities, and death. 

8. Jesus told them not to be anxious about what to say because the Spirit would speak through them (v.19). He told them not to be afraid because all would be revealed (v. 26). He explained that their Heavenly Father's will for them would be accomplished (v. 29). He assured them that they were of great value to the Father (v. 30).

9. The Apostle's first priority must be to obediently follow Jesus Christ. To do that, he must take up his cross and be prepared to lose even his life for the sake of the Gospel.

10. Jesus promises a prophet's reward and a righteous man's reward to those who honor and receive a prophet or a righteous person. Supporting the work of the prophet and the righteous man deserves a reward. Jesus also promises a reward for giving a cup of cold water to a disciple. Even the smallest act of kindness or hospitality, done in Christ's name, will be rewarded.


Jesus' charge to the original 12 Apostles set a standard of righteousness beyond what any person can reach in their own strength. Theirs was an extremely high calling. The Apostles were to conform their lives to God's commands and to seek spiritual perfection. This requires putting on the righteousness imputed through Jesus Christ, a deep knowledge of Scripture, spiritual discernment, and evidence of the fruits of righteousness in their lives and ministries.

All but Judas Iscariot achieved true apostleship. Most of the Apostles were martyred. John was exiled to the island of Patmos by Emperor Domitian but was released after the emperor's death. He then went to Ephesus, where he lived to an old age. He received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation while on Patmos. His Gospel, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation, significantly influenced the theology of the early Church. It is believed that John died around the year 100 A.D.

Join us next week as we delve into Matthew chapter 11. Please invite your friends to join our study.

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Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Christ the Compassionate Lord



Welcome to this study of Matthew's Gospel, a collaborative effort between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. For 9 months in 1997 Mary was sick and too weak to stray far from her bed. During that time, she read the New Testament and took notes on each of the books. In our study of Matthew, we use Mary's notes and Alice offers points of historical and anthropological relevance.

Before you begin, read Matthew chapter 9. When you have finished reading, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom.


Introduction

Jesus' compassion is evident in multiple ways: healings, forgiveness of sins, eating with sinners, raising the dead, and delivering the demon possessed. These actions drew the attention of the Jewish religious leaders who accused Jesus of blasphemy, ritual impurity, and alliance with the Devil. Jesus told the Pharisees to learn mercy.

Jesus speaks of himself as the "Son of Man", a Messianic title. He is addressed by 2 blind men as the "Son of David", another Messianic title. 

Wherever Jesus went he spoke about the Kingdom as one who understands true kingly leadership. He had compassion on the people who were like sheep without a shepherd. He was profoundly moved by human suffering, and his actions were motived by compassion.


Questions

1. The chapter opens with a report that Jesus came to his own city. To which city does this refer? (See Matthew 8:5.)

2. To what is Jesus referring when he calls himself the "Son of Man"?

3. How did Jesus respond to the Scribes when they accused him of blasphemy?

4. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees when they asked why Jesus ate with sinners?

5. John's disciples wanted to know why Jesus' disciples didn't observe all the rules and times for fasting. Jesus used 3 analogies to answer them. What analogies did he use?

6. The ruler trusted Jesus' ability to raise his daughter by touching her. What does this suggest about the ruler?

7. The woman who had been bleeding for 12 years quietly sought to be healed. What did Jesus say to her before she was healed?

8. At the ruler's house Jesus found a crowd making a tumult. What mourning customs are alluded to in this passage and what was Jesus' response?

9. Rather than heal the two blind men publicly, Jesus healed them inside the house. How was this a compassionate way to heal them?  

10. What motivated Jesus to travel throughout the region teaching, preaching and healing?


Answers

1. "His own city" refers to Capernaum on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum served as a base for Jesus' ministry in Galilee. He lived there for two or three years, and many significant events of his ministry took place in or near Capernaum. This does not refer to Nazareth, Jesus' hometown. Nazareth was a village, not a city.

2. This title "Son of Man" refers to a prophecy in Daniel 7:13–14 which describes a figure "like a son of man" to whom God the Father delivers dominion, glory, and an everlasting kingdom. Another Messianic title is "Son of David". Both the Old and New Testaments speak of the Messiah as a descendant of David. He was expected to restore Israel's kingdom. The title emphasizes Jesus' royal ancestry and his fulfillment of ancient messianic expectations.

3. When the Scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy because he told the paralytic that his sins were forgiven, Jesus asserted his divine authority on earth. In Matthew 9:4-6 we read: "Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, 'Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”

4. Jesus spoke of how the sick need a physician, and he told the Pharisees to learn mercy. He said that he had come "not to call the righteous, but sinners."

5. The first analogy is about a wedding, a time of joy and celebration when it would be inappropriate to fast. There will be an appropriate time to fast when Jesus is no longer with his disciples. The second analogy is about mending an old garment with a piece of cloth that is new and unshrunk. The patch will wear away, and the garment will be left with a worse tear. The third analogy is about the proper storage of new wine. New wine put into old wineskins causes them to burst. Jesus' message is clear: with his appearing newness of life has dawned. 

6. The ruler was a leader of the local synagogue. His trust in Jesus' ability to bring his daughter back from the dead suggests that he believed Jesus to be the Anointed of God, the Messiah. The New Testament records three resurrections performed by Jesus: the raising of Jairus' daughter, the raising of the son of the widow of Nain, and the raising of Lazarus of Bethany. Isaiah 25:8 and Isaiah 26:19 indicate that a sign of Messiah would be his raising the dead.

7. Jesus told her to "take heart" or to be encouraged because she would be healed and the shame of being regarded as ritually unclean would be removed. Her healing meant she would no longer be socially isolated due to her issue of blood. He called her "daughter" out of compassion and in recognition of her faith. 

8. The death of a daughter of a synagogue ruler drew family members and many members of the synagogue. Some were professional mourners who made a show of grief by wailing and thrashing about. A common response to the death of a family member was ululation, a high-pitched trilling wail. Jesus told them to stop because the girl was not dead, only sleeping.

9. Healing the two blind men inside a house was more compassionate because it created a private space for a deeper encounter and allowed Jesus to focus on the men's faith without the distractions of a crowd. This allowed the men to make a sincere confession of faith in private. 

10. Matthew 9:36 states that when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless. He likened them to sheep who have no guardian to protect them and care for them. Jesus' actions were motivated by his loving-kindness and compassion.

The Jews knew the Scriptures concerning the signs of Messiah as one who gives sight to the bind, makes the lame walk, and raises the dead. However, many chose not to believe.


Next week we will consider Matthew, Chapter 10. Invite your friends to join our study of Matthew's Gospel. 

Related reading:

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Wednesday, October 29, 2025

The Uniqueness of Jesus

 



This study of Matthew's Gospel is a collaboration between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. We study Matthew's Gospel using Mary's notes and Alice addresses points of historical and anthropological relevance. When studying the biblical texts, it is important to consider the cultural contexts of the writers and their intended audiences.

Begin by reading Matthew, Chapter 8. After you have read the chapter, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom of the page.


Introduction

Chapter 8 narrates events involving Jesus after the Sermon of the Mount. The chapter describes great crowds that followed Jesus. We imagine the people drawing back from Jesus as a leper came and knelt before him, pleading to be cleansed. Jesus also healed the Centurion's paralyzed servant, Peter's mother-in-law, and many who were demon possessed.

Jesus and his disciples went without the comforts and security of home, unlike the animals who have places to rest. Their itinerant way of life meant hardship and self-denial.

Seeking relief from the crowd, Jesus and his disciples traveled by boat to the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. A storm arose while they were on the boat. Jesus calmed the winds and the waves with a simple command. This caused the disciples to marvel because only God has such authority.

Arriving at the other side of the lake, Jesus was confronted by more demon possessed people. The demons recognized Jesus' true identity and begged to be sent into a heard of swine. The herd rushed off the cliff, and the herdsmen were so frightened that they run into the city with a report of what had happened. The people of the city begged Jesus to leave their area.


Questions

1. The leper knelt before Jesus. What does his posture indicate about his heart and his need?

2. What reason might Jesus have for telling the healed leper not to tell anyone and to perform what Moses commanded? 

3. What does the story of Jesus' healing of the Centurion's servant teach us about true authority? 

4. What was Jesus referring to when he spoke of people coming from east and west to sit at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?

5. Why did Jesus speak of his itinerant way of life by referring to foxes and birds?

6. What did Jesus mean when he said, "Let the dead bury the dead"?

7. During the storm the disciples were filled with fear. Why did Jesus rebuke them for having little faith?

8. The demons that Jesus encountered in the country of the Gadarenes recognized Jesus as the Son of God. What does the Bible teach about the Son of God?

9. What did the demons mean by "the appointed time"?

10. What attitudes and behaviors in our lives are equivalent to asking Jesus to leave?


Answers

1. Kneeling before God signifies a heart of humility, reverence, and submission. Such a posture acknowledged the Lord's supreme authority and one's dependence on Him. In biblical times, leprosy was a cause for severe social isolation as mandated by religious law. To be restored to his community, the leper first had to present himself to the priests for confirmation that he was healed. 

2. Jesus was dealing with large crowds and crowds are difficult to control. News of the leper's healing would have caused Jesus and his disciples to be overwhelmed by people seeking to be healed. As the Jewish leaders were growing suspicious of Jesus, it was important that he not be perceived as speaking against the Law of Moses.

3. The Centurion understood that Jesus' authority is such that he needed only to speak the word. Authentic faith recognizes and trusts in Christ's authority. The story also teaches the importance of humility.

4. Jesus was referring to the universal and inclusive kingdom of God. People from all nations and backgrounds will enjoy the future banquet of the Lamb. The banquet represents the joyful fellowship of salvation and is linked to the "marriage supper of the Lamb" mentioned in Matthew 22: 2-14, Luke 14:15, and Revelation 19:9. The Hebrew patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are already citizens of the kingdom of God. Those who receive Christ by faith are citizens now and will be included at the future marriage feast at the fulfillment of the kingdom.

5. Jesus said that foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. He made this statement in response to a potential follower who declared his intention to follow Jesus wherever he went. Jesus wants us to count the cost of an unconditional commitment to Him. Such a commitment may mean doing without the comforts of home and family.

6. Jesus told a potential follower that the mission of the kingdom of God is more important than earthly responsibilities. The spiritually dead are those who are not following Jesus. They are to handle worldly matters while Jesus' followers are to focus on the higher calling of proclamation and discipleship.

7. The disciples' fear revealed a lack of trust in Jesus though He was present with them. Their fear of the storm overshadowed their faith in Jesus' power to protect them. The rebuke was to help them move past their fear and trust Jesus as Lord over all of creation. Scripture teaches that fear is the opposite of trust. Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand". (Also see Joshua 1:9, John 14:27, 1 Peter 3:6, and 2 Timothy 1:7.)

8. In the Bible the "Son of God" refers to Jesus Christ. The title signifies Jesus' unique relationship with God the Father, distinguishing him from other "sons of God" such as angelic beings or high kings of the Ancient Near East who were described as "sons of God" (Gen. 6;1-4).

Long before the time of Abraham (c.2000 BC), the Hebrew people believed in God Father and God Son. They expected the Son to be virginally conceived by divine overshadowing (Luke 1:35). They recognized the Son as being co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, and they spoke of the Son as his Father's advocate. This belief is found in 3500-year Egyptian Book of the Dead which speaks of the Son as the "advocate of his father" (cf. 1 John 2:1). 

The Son was called HR in the Proto-Egyptian which means "Most High One". In Greek he was called Horus. The Horite Hebrew priests were his devotees. Some of those chiefs, such as Seir the Horite, are named in Genesis 36. 

The Son was expected to trample down the serpent. This was expressed in the 6000-year Pyramid Texts: "HR has shattered the mouth of the serpent with the sole of his foot" (Utterance 388). This belief is found in Genesis 3:15 where we read that the Seed/Son of the Woman would crush the serpent's head. The Evangelists teach that there is no salvation apart from faith in Jesus, the Son of God. 1 John 5:12, "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." 

9. The Jews believed that some evil spirits were sent to hell before "the appointed time" (2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6). The appointed time would be Judgement Day when all that oppose God are to be cast into the abyss. The "appointed time" can also refer to times that God has set for events to occur such as the birth of Jesus. The concept emphasizes God's control over time and the unfolding of His plans according to His divine schedule.

10. Attitudes and behaviors that spring from pride, lack of gratitude, hardness of heart, worldly ambitions, and hypocrisy are equivalent to asking Jesus to leave. On the other hand, we invite Jesus into our lives when we repent of these and sincerely seek to live lives that are pleasing to God.


Summary

Jesus is unique among humans because he is fully human and fully God, eternally existing, the only begotten son of the Father, and the only sinless human. As the Christ (Messiah) he delivers people from sin and death. His divinity was demonstrated to the disciples by his authority over demons and diseases, his control over the winds and the waves, and in the demons' recognition of him as the Son of God (v. 29).

Next week we will consider Matthew, Chapter 9. Please invite your friends to join us in our study of Matthew's Gospel. 


Related reading:

Matthew Chapter 7: Entering by the Narrow Gate
Matthew Chapter 8: The Uniqueness of Jesus
Matthew Chapter 9: The Compassionate Lord
Matthew Chapter 10: The Apostles' High Calling


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Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Entering by the Narrow Gate

 

Deuteronomy 30:19


This study of Matthew's Gospel is a collaboration between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. We study Matthew's Gospel using Mary's notes and Alice offers points of historical and anthropological relevance. When studying the biblical texts, it is important to consider the cultural contexts of the writers and their intended audiences.

Begin by reading Matthew, Chapter 7. After you have read the chapter, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom of the page.


Introduction

In this final section on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount we learn about the dangers of being judgmental, reflect on our treatment of others, are reminded of God's goodness and generosity, and warned about false prophets. Jesus tells the crowd that the gateway to his Father is narrow and that not all who call him "Lord" are recognized by him. He urges his listeners to hear and do what he says that their houses may be built on solid ground.

The crowd who listened to Jesus' discourse were astonished because he spoke as one who had great authority. They perceived that his authority was greater than that of the Jewish scribes. For the first century Jews, the scribes represented religious authority because they meticulously copied sacred Jewish texts according to strict laws.


Matthew, Chapter 7

1. In what ways do we judge others?

2. If we hope to avoid being hypocrites, what must we do?

3. Jesus cautions us not to misuse or misapply what is holy. What behaviors of dogs and swine describe how an impious or sacrilegious person regards holy things?

4. God's nature is expressed in what Jesus says about prayer. What can we expect from God when we pray in faith?

5. The Golden Rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is an ethical guideline found in many religions and philosophies. Jesus points out its earliest origin in the Law and the Prophets (v. 12). Why does Jesus refer to this rule in the context of prayer?

6. Jesus says we are to pray about our needs and concerns in confidence that God will provide. What qualities of true prayer are emphasized in his Sermon on the Mount?

7. Jesus uses the metaphors of a "narrow gate" and "wide gate" to speak of eternal life and death. The wide gate leads to destruction and spiritual death. How are we to avoid approaching that gate?

8. How are we to identify false prophets?

9. Who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

10. What are the traits of the people who build up their houses?


Answers

1. We judge others by standards to which we fail to hold ourselves. We tend to notice in them the very sins we commit. We apply a higher standard of moral and ethical behavior to them than to ourselves.

2. We must acknowledge our sins, repent, and amend our lives. We can do this only with God's help and the grace of the Holy Spirit.

3. "Do not cast your pearls before swine," is a command for discernment and wisdom in sharing spiritual truths with the impious or sacrilegious person because like dogs they are likely to vomit them, or like swine to trample them under their feet. Such actions further endanger their immortal souls. We must be careful about sharing spiritual things with people who mock God. They will be judged and, according to the Church Fathers, so will we.

4. The Lord's Prayer informs us about God's nature as a good father who provides our daily needs and who forgives us according to the measure that we forgive those who have hurt us.

5. Jesus refers to the Golden Rule in the context of prayer because our prayer life is hindered when we fail to act as His faithful disciples. To not treat others as we wish to be treated is a form of hypocrisy. Jesus followers are to embody God's mercy and compassion toward others. We are to go beyond legalistic fulfillment of the Law. We are to provide for others, not out of a sense of duty, but out of true compassion for the less fortunate, the sick, for prisoners, and for orphans and widows.

6. True prayer is persistent. We are to ask, seek, and knock. Jesus modeled this by praying for long periods and he emphasized it in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18). The "ask, seek, knock" principle means to keep asking, to continue seeking, and to steadfastly knock. Such persistence in prayer will receive, find, and have doors opened. True prayer also thankfully recognizes that God is eager to provide good things for his children.

7. We avoid the gateway to destruction when we deny the gratification of our flesh, avoid preoccupation with worldly concerns, and do everything as Christ directs. We must do more than call Jesus, "Lord". He must truly be the lord and master of our lives. This requires less self-reliance and more reliance on Him and the Holy Spirit. In my flesh, I make my own decisions, but as a true disciple of Jesus Christ, I consult Him concerning all things. Jesus' words echo Deuteronomy 30:19 where God presents a choice between life and death, and blessing and curse, and urges the Israelites to choose life.

8. False prophets are known by the effects their words and actions have on others. The false doctrines and misdirection of such people are motivated by pride, greed, and self-promotion. Ultimately, the followers of false prophets suffer negative and destructive outcomes. This was the case with the cults of Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Ervil LeBaron. The people who listened to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount were aware of false prophets. Some were men who claimed to be the Messiah and gathered a following. Simon bar Giora and Theudas, who led armed uprisings, are two examples of false prophets who were known to Jews of the first century.

9. Jesus stated that only those who do the will of his Father will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In other words, we are to be like Jesus whose first concern was always to please his Heavenly Father.

10. The practice of building up a house is more than building a place to live. In the Bible, a woman "tearing down her house" is a metaphor for bringing ruin to her family, household, or community through foolish and destructive actions. Proverbs 14:1 expresses this concept: "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down". Building one's house on solid ground involves cultivating a spiritual lineage, nurturing children and grandchildren in the Faith, managing finances well, generosity, hospitality, honesty, and obedience to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The traits of one who builds up his or her house are set forth in the Beatitudes.

Next, we will consider Matthew, Chapter 8. Please share this with your friends and join us next week for more deep digging.


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