Bible Study WELCOME TO AN IN DEPTH STUDY OF MATTHEW'S GOSPEL.

[Chopper]

Thank you, Chopper. I just have more time to read and study these obscure things than most people do. I think, the Lord leads me to the places I find some explanations. It's so interesting how the old meets the new in Christ.

Wow, keep it up if you can, actually because you have a good knowledge in times gone by, culture, and facts about Jewish practices, I feel that you would be a good source of information for me to turn to for answers to my questions. Again, thanks for being you....Love you!

 

[Chopper]

Day 98 Wednesday 1/21/15 Matthew 12:9-21 Stretch Out Your Hand.

Matthew 12:9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
12:16 And charged them that they should not make him known:
12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
12:19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

I start this study with this verse, 12:14 "Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him." This theme of the Jewish Counsel to seek any accusation against Jesus so that they may kill Him is the saddest cometary, "IMO, on the lack of spiritual insight that the leaders of Israel continued to follow. It's amazing to me that they did not go back to the Hebrew Scriptures and study all the prophecies, especially Isaiah of whom I believe they held a high opinion of, about the coming of their Messiah. Isaiah made it very clear how the Messiah would come, where He would be born, and so much information about their Messiah.

Only an active blindness sent from God would be able to bring this about. The leaders of Israel were no dummies, yet were blind. The blind leading the blind. Recently I have been studying the book of Romans. So, I'm going to post some verses that explain how it was that Israel would not recognize their Messiah.
1. Romans 11:8 "as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day."

Was there a reason? I'm glad you asked.

2. Romans 11:11 "So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous."

How should a Gentile feel about being favored by God during this time, and not Israel?

3. Romans 11:18 "do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you."

A warning to continue being faithful to the Salvation that is presented to all people outside the Commonwealth of Israel, at the expense of their failure to enter in.

4. Romans 11:22 "Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off." Here is the old argument, can you loose your Salvation. Notice what this verse says, "provided you continue in his kindness."

Is there any hope for Israel during this time for the Gentiles? YES.

Romans 11:23 "And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again."

It always blesses my heart when I hear of a Jewish person who is converted from Jewish ways to Christian ways.

One day a few years ago I got a call from a young Jewish college student. He had recently trusted in Jesus as his Messiah. His family declared him dead and wouldn't support him any more. He need money to travel from Massachusetts to Philidelphia where a friend and student in the same college lived and said that he would help this young man. He had called all the local churches for help but there was no help because of one excuse or another. The Pentecostal Pastor told him to call me and I would help him. He did and I gave him the necessary funds for his bus ticket plus money for his lunch. Praise the Lord.

So I learned the truth about converting from orthodox Jewish laws to Christianity. For some it is more than a life change.

 

[Chopper]

Day 98 Wednesday 1/21/15 Matthew 12:9-21 Stretch Out Your Hand.

Matthew 12:9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
12:16 And charged them that they should not make him known:
12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
12:19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

I start this study with this verse, 12:14 "Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him." This theme of the Jewish Counsel to seek any accusation against Jesus so that they may kill Him is the saddest cometary, "IMO, on the lack of spiritual insight that the leaders of Israel continued to follow. It's amazing to me that they did not go back to the Hebrew Scriptures and study all the prophecies, especially Isaiah of whom I believe they held a high opinion of, about the coming of their Messiah. Isaiah made it very clear how the Messiah would come, where He would be born, and so much information about their Messiah.

Only an active blindness sent from God would be able to bring this about. The leaders of Israel were no dummies, yet were blind. The blind leading the blind. Recently I have been studying the book of Romans. So, I'm going to post some verses that explain how it was that Israel would not recognize their Messiah.
1. Romans 11:8 "as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day."

Was there a reason? I'm glad you asked.

2. Romans 11:11 "So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous."

How should a Gentile feel about being favored by God during this time, and not Israel?

3. Romans 11:18 "do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you."

A warning to continue being faithful to the Salvation that is presented to all people outside the Commonwealth of Israel, at the expense of their failure to enter in.

4. Romans 11:22 "Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off." Here is the old argument, can you loose your Salvation. Notice what this verse says, "provided you continue in his kindness."

Is there any hope for Israel during this time for the Gentiles? YES.

Romans 11:23 "And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again."

It always blesses my heart when I hear of a Jewish person who is converted from Jewish ways to Christian ways.

One day a few years ago I got a call from a young Jewish college student. He had recently trusted in Jesus as his Messiah. His family declared him dead and wouldn't support him any more. He need money to travel from Massachusetts to Philidelphia where a friend and student in the same college lived and said that he would help this young man. He had called all the local churches for help but there was no help because of one excuse or another. The Pentecostal Pastor told him to call me and I would help him. He did and I gave him the necessary funds for his bus ticket plus money for his lunch. Praise the Lord.

So I learned the truth about converting from orthodox Jewish laws to Christianity. For some it is more than a life change.

 

[Deborah13]

Mat 12:15 and Jesus having known, withdrew thence, and there followed him great multitudes, and he healed them all,
Mat 12:18 `Lo, My servant, whom I did choose, My beloved, in whom My soul did delight, I will put My Spirit upon him, and judgment to the nations he shall declare,

I just saw something I hadn't before.
Who were the All that He healed? Seeing that a prophecy was being fulfilled that included Him declaring 'judgement to the nations' was the 'all of them' not just Jews but where Gentiles in the great multitude that He healed?

 

[Chopper]

I believe that there were Gentiles in the mass of people who followed Jesus. In V.18 there is a quote from Isaiah that concerns Gentiles, not only that, the City's of Idumea, Tyre & Sidon were inhabited by Gentiles. So, I'm assuming that they were healed as well.

 

[Karl]

Day 98 Wednesday 1/21/15 Matthew 12:9-21 Stretch Out Your Hand.

Matthew 12:9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
12:16 And charged them that they should not make him known:
12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
12:19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

I start this study with this verse, 12:14 "Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him." This theme of the Jewish Counsel to seek any accusation against Jesus so that they may kill Him is the saddest cometary, "IMO, on the lack of spiritual insight that the leaders of Israel continued to follow. It's amazing to me that they did not go back to the Hebrew Scriptures and study all the prophecies, especially Isaiah of whom I believe they held a high opinion of, about the coming of their Messiah. Isaiah made it very clear how the Messiah would come, where He would be born, and so much information about their Messiah.

Only an active blindness sent from God would be able to bring this about. The leaders of Israel were no dummies, yet were blind. The blind leading the blind. Recently I have been studying the book of Romans. So, I'm going to post some verses that explain how it was that Israel would not recognize their Messiah.
1. Romans 11:8 "as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day."

Was there a reason? I'm glad you asked.

2. Romans 11:11 "So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous."

How should a Gentile feel about being favored by God during this time, and not Israel?

3. Romans 11:18 "do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you."

A warning to continue being faithful to the Salvation that is presented to all people outside the Commonwealth of Israel, at the expense of their failure to enter in.

4. Romans 11:22 "Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off." Here is the old argument, can you loose your Salvation. Notice what this verse says, "provided you continue in his kindness."

Is there any hope for Israel during this time for the Gentiles? YES.

Romans 11:23 "And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again."

It always blesses my heart when I hear of a Jewish person who is converted from Jewish ways to Christian ways.

One day a few years ago I got a call from a young Jewish college student. He had recently trusted in Jesus as his Messiah. His family declared him dead and wouldn't support him any more. He need money to travel from Massachusetts to Philidelphia where a friend and student in the same college lived and said that he would help this young man. He had called all the local churches for help but there was no help because of one excuse or another. The Pentecostal Pastor told him to call me and I would help him. He did and I gave him the necessary funds for his bus ticket plus money for his lunch. Praise the Lord.

So I learned the truth about converting from orthodox Jewish laws to Christianity. For some it is more than a life change.

We read when they arrested Jesus He was first taken to Annas and then Caiaphas his son-in-law, I've read somewhere that Annas was High Priest, but he also was in charge of the money changers and selling of animals and doves in the Temple, that being the lucrative reason he gave his position of High Priest to his son-in-law, ...he was enriching himself, ...and was still in control of the religious services.

So, in addition to his blindness there was also the greed motivating him to kill Jesus, ....especially after He cleaned house two times.

 

[Deborah13]

We read when they arrested Jesus He was first taken to Annas and then Caiaphas his son-in-law, I've read somewhere that Annas was High Priest, but he also was in charge of the money changers and selling of animals and doves in the Temple, that being the lucrative reason he gave his position of High Priest to his son-in-law, ...he was enriching himself, ...and was still in control of the religious services.

So, in addition to his blindness there was also the greed motivating him to kill Jesus, ....especially after He cleaned house two times.

I've wondered when that blindness actually came about. When Jesus rebukes them in the temple calling them vipers I have a hard time thinking that He would do that if they had been blinded at that time.

 

[Karl]

This is the best answer I can think of sis.

The Hidden Line (The Destiny of Men)
by Joseph Addison Alexander (1809-1860)

There is a time, we know not when,
A point we know not where,
That marks the destiny of men
To glory or despair.

There is a line by us unseen,
That crosses every path;
The hidden boundary between
God’s patience and his wrath.

To pass that limit is to die–
To die as if by stealth;
It does not quench the beaming eye
Or pale the glow of health.

The conscience may be still at ease,
The spirit lithe and gay;
That which pleases still may please,
And care be thrust away

But on that forehead God has set,
Indelibly a mark
Unseen by men, for men as yet
Are blind and in the dark

And yet doomed man’s path below
May bloom as Eden bloomed;
He did not, does not, will not know,
Or feel that he is doomed

He knows, he feels that all is well,
And every fear is calmed;
He lives, he dies, he wakes in hell,
Not only doomed, but damned.

Oh, where is this mysterious bourn
By which our path is crossed;
Beyond which God himself hath sworn,
That he who goes is lost.

How far may we go on in sin?
How long will God forbear?
Where does hope end, and where begin
The confines of despair?

An answer from the skies is sent,
"Ye that from God depart,
While it is called today, repent,
And harden not your heart."

Seems to me he has written a colorful commentary on John 3:19, 20

 

[Deborah13]

That poem is so scriptural in content.
I wondered too, if they were all blinded at the same time or over a period of time because they individually hardened their hearts over the coarse of Jesus' ministry. Jesus said that they refused to go in and kept others from going in.

 

[Karl]

Yep, you got it, that's what He said,

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Mat 23:15

That's why it's so important we only teach the Word by the empowering of the Holy Spirit, there are some here, sad to say, that are being led astray by men's opinions.

 

[Deborah13]

Yep, you got it, that's what He said,

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Mat 23:15

That's why it's so important we only teach the Word by the empowering of the Holy Spirit, there are some here, sad to say, that are being led astray by men's opinions.

I was thinking of this one, too.
Mat 23:13 `Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye shut up the reign of the heavens before men, for ye do not go in, nor those going in do ye suffer to enter.

 

[Karl]

Yep, I',m convinced those that follow the devil know who they are following, it's their poor innocent victims that are deceived.

 

[Chopper]

Day 99 Friday 1/23/15 Matthew 12:22-32 Who's Blind And Dumb?

Matthew 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.


12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

I am extremely busy today. If I get a chance, I'll post. Until then, any comments on these verses?

 

[jocor]

Day 99 Friday 1/23/15 Matthew 12:22-32 Who's Blind And Dumb?

Matthew 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.


12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

I am extremely busy today. If I get a chance, I'll post. Until then, any comments on these verses?

As I understand it, this passage defines what blaspheming the Holy Spirit means: To attribute to Satan the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Chopper]

Matthew 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? It amazing to me that the Scribes and Pharisees are not asking this question but unlearned, common folk. The educated, proud, leaders of the Hebrew people haven't got a clue. I'm sorry that I couldn't finish my post. Jacor said it plain what the unforgivable sin is.

 

[DanielGarneau]

I own a French version of the MacArthur Study Bible, keyed with the text of the Louis Segond Nouvelle édition de Genève 1979, and the comments in that study Bible did a wonderful job at helping me understand passages such as this one, and those from the book of Hebrews that lead some Christians to wonder if they have committed the Sin against the Holy Spirit.

I basically agree with Yeshua's conclusion. Here is how I would formulate it: the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is knowingly attributing to the devil what one knows full well to come from the Spirit of God, as the religious leaders in this passage did know. And also perhaps when a person has been convinced of the truth of God's Word concerning who Jesus is and what He did for us when He died on the cross... If that person refuses to admit as true what he or she knows to be in fact the truth... That person would be in great danger of stepping accross that line of commiting the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

But, as long as there is life there is hope, so anyone who may be hardened one day may become opened eventually. So no one should condemn himself or others of having committed this sin. Instead, as we learn from John 6:37, we should always remember that Christ will not push away those who come to Him, whether it is ourself or someone else.

 

[Deborah13]

I basically agree with Yeshua's conclusion. Here is how I would formulate it: the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is knowingly attributing to the devil what one knows full well to come from the Spirit of God, as the religious leaders in this passage did know. And also perhaps when a person has been convinced of the truth of God's Word concerning who Jesus is and what He did for us when He died on the cross... If that person refuses to admit as true what he or she knows to be in fact the truth... That person would be in great danger of stepping accross that line of commiting the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

This is the way I understand it as well. Well written, thank you.

 

[Chopper]

Day 100 Monday 1/26/15 Matthew 12:33-37 Word Judgment.

Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

After laying down an important teaching on the unforgivable sin, (No it's not divorce) It is my opinion that Jesus looks at his disciples and instructs them on how to spot His enemies like the Scribes and Pharisees. The instruction is; when you meet someone who claims to be God's representative to His people, they were to examine closely what comes out of his mouth.

First of all, is this person attributing the works of Jesus to the evil one. Secondly, a believer is to discern what the person is saying about Jesus. Is it good, or is it evil. Example: For us it might be, is Jesus, God's Son, the very God. In other words, is Jesus "God the Son."

An amusing story told of Billy Sunday, an evangelist to men who liked to live out of a bottle of booze. Several times he would open up his message with "You generation of vipers, you bunch of snakes." Wow, talk about an introduction! Apparently, it woke some out of a drunken stupor.

The test of anyone who thinks they might be God's spokesman is quite simple. A good man speaks good things about Jesus Christ. A bad man speaks bad or evil things about Jesus. Again, a good man will emphasize that Jesus is God the Son. He was God incarnate. The Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses do not claim this. They claim that Jesus was created like the angels, or close to that.

V. 36 & 37 Speak of unbelievers IMO. Personally, I believe that there will be levels of punishment for those who reject Jesus as their Savior. It may be that some of the judgment against them on the day of their judgment, will be by the words that come out of their mouth. There are actually unsaved men who are so lost and so evil that their words are an abomination, filthy talk and disgusting to man, let alone to a holy God.

 

[jocor]

Secondly, a believer is to discern what the person is saying about Jesus. Is it good, or is it evil. Example: For us it might be, is Jesus, God's Son, the very God. In other words, is Jesus "God the Son."

Without derailing this thread, I will simply say that I consider this to be an unjust judgment. Scripture never calls Yeshua "God the Son," but "the "Son of God." I profess Yeshua to be the "Son of God" as it is written.

 

[Deborah13]

While I do believe that the Messiah is/was God come in the flesh, the scripture calls Him the Son of man and the Son of God. I believe there is a Father, a Son, and a Holy Spirit.

I also agree that these scriptures are teaching us not to believe people who speak against Him, they are anti-christ.