Matthew 15 verse 22

 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Verse 22: When our Lord Jesus Christ was on the coasts of Tyre and Sidon there came a woman from Canaan. She knew that He was there and she cried to Him this: Have mercy on me Lord and she knew He was the son of David that's why she called Him the son of David. David was the king of Israel and she understood that the Lord would sit on the throne of David. How did she knew this all. She must have heard from Him and from all the things He had done especially the healings. No one could do such miracles. Her daughter was grievously vexed with a devil. A lot of people in the time when our Lord on earth had His ministry 3 years long, were vexed with a devil. Our Lord healed a lot of those persons who were possessed by the devil. This woman hoped that the Lord would heal her daughter and believed in Him that He could do that. 

Matthew 15 verse 23

But He answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

Verse 23: Our Lord didn't answer her, so He gave her not a word. Why He is doing this? The answer we read later. His disciples came to Him and request Him earnestly: Send her away because she crieth after us.

Matthew 15 verse 24

But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Verse 24: Our Lord Jesus Christ answered to them and said: I am only send to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. I am send to the Jews, not to the Gentiles with other words. Inhabitans outside Israel were Gentiles or strangers. 

Matthew 15 verse 25

Then came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me.

Verse 25: The woman came to Him, our Lord, and honoured Him and said Lord help me. This was a sign of hopelessness and she believe that He could help. 

Matthew 15 verse 26

But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

Verse 26: Our Lord answered this woman and said. It is inappropriate to take the children's bread. The children's bread stands for the folk Israel. They had the Scriptures and the Law and to give the Word of God to the dogs and that are Gentiles is wrong. The Gospel of the Kingdom was only preached to Israel.  Ephesians 2:11 and 12. The Gentiles were in that dispensation without God in this world. God was not dealing with the Gentiles but with Israel. 

Matthew 15 verse 27

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Verse 27: The woman answered Him back with the words: true Lord. And immediately she said that the Gentiles (dogs) eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table. They picked up also Scriptures from the Word of God and believed them. This was a reality and therefore the Lord Jesus Christ answered her again in the next verse. 

Matthew 15 verse 28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Verse 28: The Lord answered this: O woman, your faith (trust) is very great. What you asked or wilt it will be done. From that hour her daughter was healed. What a joy this must have been for this woman to see her daughter healed, no more possessed by the devil!

Matthew 15 verse 29

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

Verse 29: Our Lord went away from Tyrus and Sidon (now Lebanon) and came nigh the sea of Galilee. There He went up into a mountain and sat down there. He sat on top of the mountain. 

Matthew 15 verse 30

 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

Verse 30: There on the top of the mountain there came a great multitude of men and they had taken with them lame persons, blind persons, dumb persons, maimed persons and many others who were sick and brought them to the feet of our Lord and the Lord Jesus Christ healed them all. What a miracle or wonder He did there! 

Matthew 15 verse 31

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Verse 31: The multitude of men who were with our Lord Jesus Christ Who did all the healings were amazed because they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed were whole, the lame could walk and the blind could see and they glorified God. The God of Israel. They acknowledged that no man could do this alone the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 15 verse 32

Then Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

Verse 32: The Lord Jesus Christ called His disciples unto Him. He said to them that He had a pity on the multitude of men who were with Him at that moment 3 days and they had no food to eat. Man had also to eat for his own body. There was not enough food for them. Our Lord would not send them away without food because then they would starve from hunger on the way back to their homes. This shows the divine and human side: His compassion on the multitude of men. 

Matthew 15 verse 33

And His disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

Verse 33: His disciples answered Him and said where can we find so much bread in this desert to feed so a great multitude of men? That was impossible in men's eyes. 

Matthew 15 verse 34

And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

Verse 34: The Lord Jesus Christ said to His disciples how much bread you have now and they answered 7 (that is a sacred number!) and a few small fishes. 7 is always in the Bible a sacred number. 

Matthew 15 verse 35

And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

Verse 35: The Lord Jesus Christ directed the multitude of 4000 men to sit down on the ground!! What a authority He was in that time because they obeyed Him immediately. For a man in general this is not possible to command a multitude of 4000 persons to sit down on ground because you want that. He was a special Man, a Rabbi and had a lot to say and He did a lot of wonders, healings and other things to let people know that He was and is God Himself. 

Matthew 15 verse 36

And He took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Verse 36: The Lord took with His hands the 7 bread and the fishes. Then He gave thanks to the Father and brake the bread and also the fish and gave to His disciples. The disciples thereafter gave it to the multitude of men who were 4000 persons. This was again a miracle the Lord did because every person there got bread and fish. 

Matthew 15 verse 37

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

Verse 37: They all eat the bread and fish and were filled! They had no hunger after this meal. The disciples picked up the broken meat and seven baskets were full left. What a miraculous wonder the Lord did. 

Matthew 15 verse 38

And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

Verse 38: All the men 4000 persons without women and children eat there near the Lord on the ground. They were filled and could after this filled to their homes. 

Matthew 15 verse 39

 And He sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

Verse 39: After 3 days and after that meal the Lord Jesus Christ send the multitude of men that were 4000 people to their own homes in villages, places. And He took a ship and came into the coasts of Magdala. Magdala was a fishing village situated on the west bank of the Sea of Tiberias or Galilee. During the Jewish war it was destroyed. 

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Matthew Chapter 16

Matthew 16 verse 1

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

Verse 1:  Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him. They enticing desired from Him that He could shew them a sign from heaven. Jews required always a sign. In I Corinthians 1 verse 22 we read this: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. Now these two sects of the Jews desired a sign from heaven from our Lord. And what did the Lord do. Read in the following verse what His answer is. 

Matthew 16 verse 2

 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

Verse 2: But He, the Lord, answered these Pharisees and Sadducees and said to them: If you see the evening and the sky is red than you say it is nice weather. 

Matthew 16 verse 3

And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

Verse 3: In the morning if it will be foul weather because the sky is red and lowering. And then He said to these Pharisees and Sadducees this: ye hypocrites, ye can see from the face of the sky if it will be good weather  or bad weather but you cannot divine the signs of the times?  They looked very devout persons those Pharisees and Sadducees but in fact they were hypocrites and the Lord said they were hypocrites. 

Matthew 16 verse 4

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Verse 4: Immediately the Lord said this: a wicked and adulterous generation and that was Israel in that time require a sign but there sall no sign be given unto them than the sign of the prophet Jonas. That was on that moment that He said enough to them and departed from them. What was the sign of Jonas? Three days and three nights in the belly of the big fish (whale) and the Lord shall be three days and three nights be laydown in the grave and then be alive from the death as Jonas came out of the fish after three days. 

Matthew 16 verse 5

And when His disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

Verse 5: The Lord had left the Pharisees and Sadducees and was gone to the other side of the sea of Galilee. When His disciples came to the other side they had no bread because they forgot to take bread with them. 

Matthew 16 verse 6

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Verse 6: The Lord said to His disciples and warned them with this Word that they had not to accept the things of the Pharisees and Sadducees which make people believe. That was very dangerous. They were hypocrites. What they tried to convince people was just real but it was a lie. 

Matthew 16 verse 7

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

Verse 7: The disciples reasoned among themselves and said to themselves that they were the guilty because they had not taken bread with them. 

Matthew 16 verse 8

Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Verse 8: The Lord knew, knows everything. He sees the heart and know everything a man think in himself. He said unto His disciples: ye have little faith. Why you reasoned among yourselves because of the fact that you brought no bread with you? They had not to worry about food or clothes etc because God would provide for this. 

Matthew 16 verse 9

Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Verse 9: The disciples of the Lord didn't understand that they had to take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees and thought because they had no taken bread  they reasoned among themselves because they had not taken bread. The Lord remembered them about the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets of loaves (bread) were over? 

Matthew 16 verse 10

 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Verse 10: The Lord remembered His disciples of the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets they took up? They had little faith in Him. It was surreal for them to take it all in. 

Matthew 16 verse 11

How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Verse 11: The Lord Jesus Christ asked His disciples why they didn't understand that He spoke not concerning bread litteraly but He warned them about the leaven = doctrine which the Pharisees and Sadducees told the people. That was misleading people because they were hypocrites. 

Matthew 16 verse 12

Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Verse 12: After the Lord Jesus Christ explained His disciples about the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees they understood from that moment what He was talking about and that He was not talking about bread but about the doctrine which He told the people, the Gospel of the Kingdom. 

Matthew 16 verse 13

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

Verse 13: The Lord Jesus Christ went to the coasts of Caesarea. The coasts of the Middle Sea. Then He had a question for His disciples: Who do men said that I the Son of man am? With other words who said this because His disciples stayed always with Him and heard a lot of people when the Lord came somewhere to preach or did miracles like healings etc. 

Matthew 16 verse 14

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

Verse 14: His disciples answered and said that some people called Him John the Baptist, others Elias or Jeremiah or some ot them one of the prophets. Most people in the country of Israel didn't know who He was. 

Matthew 16 verse 15

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Verse 15: After that hearing the Lord Jesus Christ wanted to really know from His disciples whom He was that's why he asked them: whom say ye that I am? 

Matthew 16 verse 16

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Verse 16: Simon Peter was always one of the first to react and he said this: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. That was right what he said to the Lord. 

Matthew 16 verse 17

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Verse 17: The Lord Jesus Christ gave His answer Peter and said: Blessed art thou Simon Barjona. Not your flesh and blood hath made this known but my Father (His Father) which is in heaven have made this known unto Peter. 

Matthew 16 verse 18

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Verse 18: The Lord personally said to Peter this: thou art Peter. Upon this rock He said He will build His church. Which rock? That was Himself. He is the rock!  From which church the Lord was talking about? The church of the Kingdom. That started later in Jerusalem the so called Jerusalem church. The gates of hell shall to achieve victory over this church. 

Matthew 16 verse 19

 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Verse 19: Peter  was given special keys. These keys represented kingdom authority to bind and loose here on earth. Peter used that authority  at the day of Pentecost as Christ's apostle and as representative of the 12 apostles.  In Acts 2 verse 14 we read this: But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Matthew 16 verse 20

 Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Verse 20: The Lord forbade His disciples that they should tell it to no man that He was Jesus which means God saves and Christ=the Anointed One. He was and is the Savior and Anointed One. This is what they had not to tell anybody. 

Matthew 16 verse 21

 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Verse 21: For that time one the Lord Jesus Christ showed His disciples that He had to go into Jerusalem and would suffer many things from the elders and chief priests, the sect of scribes of the folk Israel and that He would be killed by them and that He would raise from the death the third day. He was telling the rest of His plan what would overcome Him.  What was the reaction of the disciples upon this saying? Read on

Matthew 16 verse 22

Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee.

Verse 22: Peter who was always the first of the disciples catched Him and began to reprimand Him and said to the Lord: Be it far from thee Lord: this shall not happen to Thee. Peter understood nothing from which the Lord had spoken of. He could not believe that.  Peter didn't know about God's plan that His Son the Lord Jesus Christ must suffer and be killed and then after 3 days would raise from the death. 

Matthew 16 verse 23

But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Verse 23: The Lord turned Himself and said to Peter. Get thee behind me satan. The Lord was not directly to Peter but unto satan who wispered that Peter. Satan was an offence to the Lord. Satan savourest not things that be of God but that be of men. He twists the Word of God. That he did this from the beginning on. He is a men killer. 

Matthew 16 verse 24

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Verse 24: The Lord Jesus Christ said unot His disciples this: If any man will come after Me, to follow Me litteraly he must deny himself, he must not live for himself anymore, to give yourself wholly to Christ and share in His shame, rejection and death. This is what the Lord told them. 

Matthew 16 verse 25

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Verse 25: To save yourself for your own sake then a man shall lose his life but if a man lose his life for Christ he shall find the life. It was a call for the disciples to come after Christ and identify himself with Him in His shame, rejection and the death. 

Matthew 16 verse 26

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Verse 26: If a man gain the whole world the result of this is that he shall lose his own soul and lose the reward of God. He shall lose his life. In Psalm 49 verse 7-9 we read this:None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him. (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)  That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. 

Matthew 16 verse 27

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Verse 27: The Lord Jesus Christ is talking about Himself: the Son of man! He Himself shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels. This will be when He will come back to earth again, the second time! This will be the day of judgment: every man shall have a reward according to his works. Every man shall be judged by Him. 

Matthew 16 verse 28

Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Verse 28: Truly the Lord said to His disciples and maybe others who listened to Him: there were persons at that moment who shall not taste death until they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom. 

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Matthew Chapter 17

Matthew 17 verse 1

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Verse 1: The Lord Jesus Christ took Peter, James and John with Him into a high mountain. Peter, James and John were the pillars of the 12 disciples, later apostles. Later this James was killed by king Herod in the Acts period and replaced by another James, the Lord's half brother. Here in this chapter Matthew records Christ was transfigured before them. It means to change ones form, fashion, appearance, metomorphosis. 

Matthew 17 verse 2

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Verse 2: The Lord Jesus Christ was transfigured before Peter, James and John . His appearance was different from what they always saw of Him. His deity was allowed to shine forth. His chothes were as white as the light. 

Matthew 17 verse 3

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Verse 3: At the same time Moses and Elias appeared and talked to Christ. Moses represented the Law, or the books of Genesis until the end of Deuteronomy. Elias, not a writing prophet, was the prototype after which John  the Baptist came. 

Matthew 17 verse 4

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Verse 4: Peter was the first who answered this seeing and said to the Lord that it was good for them to be there on the mountain and see it. If thou wilt. If it is Your will we will make tabernacles for You, Moses and Elias. Peter wanted to do something for the Lord, Moses and Elias. 

Matthew 17 verse 5

 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Verse 5: While Peter spoke there came on that moment a bright cloud which overshadowed the 3 disciples. Then there came a voice out of the cloud which declared this: This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him. It was God the Father Who said this from His Son, His beloved Son and in Him God the Father was well pleased because His Son was the One Who did the will of the Father and could do this because He was God Himself: to die for mankind first and after three days rise from the dead and later be the King of kings on earth. The disciples had to hear, listen to Him. 

Matthew 17 verse 6

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

Verse 6: When the disciples heard this from God the Father about His Son they fell on their face. What does it mean to fell on their face? It means this:  it ishumbling and desperate intersession before God. And they were sore afraid. What does it mean sore afraid? They were terribly afraid. We as members of the Body of Christ, believers have never seen the glory of God. Only read about it the Bible. They, Peter, James and John had seen the glory of God and that made them very afraid. They saw the glory of His majesty! This frightened them! 

Matthew 17 verse 7

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

Verse 7: After Peter, James and John had fallen on their faces and were so afraid because what they heard and had seen the Lord Jesus Christ stood with them  and touched them and said: arise and be not afraid! 

Matthew 17 verse 8

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Verse 8: And when Peter, James and John did their eyes open they saw only the Lord Jesus Christ and the other two Moses and Elias who were with Him were disappeared. They saw them no more. This must have been very strange for Peter, James and John. 

Matthew 17 verse 9

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Verse 9: The Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples Peter, James and John came down from the mountain but the Lord demanded them not to tell any man about the vision they had seen until the Son of man and that was the Lord Himself, be risen again from the dead, in His resurrection. They had to held this secret before men. 

Matthew 17 verse 10

And His disciples asked Him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

Verse 10: His disciples when He was again with them all asked Him this question: according the scribes we have heard that Elias must first come. Why is this? The disciples didn't understand this that's why they asked the Lord about it and expected from Him that He would answer them. 

Matthew 17 verse 11

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

Verse 11: The Lord Jesus Christ gave His disciples immediately answer and said to them that Elias shall come first and restore all things. This is true. In Malachi 4: 5-6 we can read that this was promised unto men: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Matthew 17 verse 12

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Verse 12: The Lord told His disciples this that Elijah already came in the person of John the Baptist read Matthew 11:10-15 and Luke 1:17. The nation of Israel  permitted John to be killed, and would ask for Jesus to slain. Yet God's program would be fulfilled in spite of the deeds of sinful leaders. 

Matthew 17 verse 13

 Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Verse 13: Then after this saying the disciples understood that the Lord Jesus Christ was speaking to them about John the Baptist. That the folk of Israel had killed him who was the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 17 verse 14

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

Verse 14: The Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples joined again the multitude of men and their appeared a man and kneeled down to the Lord and said this. We can read this in the next vers. The fact that this man kneeled down that he had a lot of respect for the Lord. The Lord was not just anyone. 

Matthew 17 verse 15

 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

Verse 15: The man said to the Lord this: have mercy on my son. He is a lunatick. With other words he is handicapped with epilepsy. He is sore vexed. Due to the epileptic seizures he falls into the fire and often into the water. This was really a helpquestion this man had for the Lord to heal his son. 

Matthew 17 verse 16

And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

Verse 16: The man said that he brought his son to the disciples but they could not heal him of his disease. They had on that moment not the believe in God so they couldn't heal this sick young boy. Later in de days of Pentecost they could do it because in that time they were under controle of the Holy Spirit and have that gift to heal after the Lord was ascended in heaven to His Father on the right hand. 

Matthew 17 verse 17

Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

Verse 17: The Lord Jesus Christ answered rightly o faithless and perverse generation. The nation Israel was full unbelief. And then how long shall I be with you the Lord asked them. How long shall I suffer you He asked them. Afther that saying the command from Him to bring the boy to Him. 

Matthew 17 verse 18

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

Verse 18: You read here again that the Lord did a healing by rebuking or scolding the devil to get out of the boy's live and the devil departed out of this boy. Nowadays under this Dispensation of Grace God is in general not doing this. It is known that 50 milion people today have a form of epilepsy. This is the result that we live in a broken sin world. In the case of this young boy it was a falling disease caused by the devil. De devil departed from the child and the child was healed from that very hour. What a joy this must have been for the father to see his son healed by the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 17 verse 19

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

Verse 19: The disciples had again seen that the Lord Jesus Christ healed the boy from his disease caused by the devil. Then they came to Him apart and asked Him why they couldn't cast the devil out of this boy? 

Matthew 17 verse 20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Verse 20: The Lord's answer to them was very clear: because of your unbelief. If they had faith as a grain of mustard seed they could say until a mountain remove and hence to yonder place and the mountain should remove. With faith nothing should be impossible for them. 

Matthew 17 verse 21

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Verse 21: But this kind goeth not out. What does that mean? It means that the devils will not go out but by prayer and fasting. It is a firm and strong faith that will cause this: to cast out devils from people. In that time when God was dealing with Israel healings and wonders were every day specially when the Lord was on earth. The devil was resisting very strong against God because the Kingdom of heaven was at hand.  Nowadays God is not dealing anymore with Israel as folk under this Dispensation of Grace. Nowadays He is dealing with individuals through His Gospel of the Grace of God and that persons will learn the truth through the Gospel. God is now not working with signs as before He did with Israel because they required signs I Corinthians 1: 21. Nowadays it is not possible to do this: cast out devils from people. People have to hear the Gospel of Grace and trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior for their lives 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. I Corinthians 15:3-4 by believing what He has done for them and us!!

Matthew 17 verse 22

And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

Verse 22: When the Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples were again in Galilee the Lord told them that the Son of man should be betrayed and will come in the hands of men. He was speaking to them what would happen to Him later. This is what would happen later in Jerusalem that they would judge Him and will kill Him at a cruel tree. He told them this again. If they understood this was the question on that moment. 

Matthew 17 verse 23

And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

Verse 23: He told Him that He would be killed and the third day after His death he shall be raised again from the dead. These words of the Lord made the disciples very sad. This is that they didn't understood His words that's why they were exceeding sorry about His words. 

Matthew 17 verse 24

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

Verse 24: The Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples came in Capernaum near the sea of Galilee. The ones who received money came to Peter. They saw in Peter the point of contact for the disciples. So they came to him and asked him this question: doth not your master pay tribute? 

Matthew 17 verse 25

He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

Verse 25: Peter answered them with yes. After this he went into the house where the Lord was and the Lord Jesus Christ checked Peter and and asked him the question: what thinkest thou Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth  take custom or tribute? Do they take custom or tribute from their own children or of strangers?

Matthew 17 verse 26

Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 

Verse 26: Peter answered of strangers. The Lord said after this unto Peter: then are the children free. Christ is the Son of God and Heir of all things and therefore not obliged to pay this tax for teh service of the temple. Thus Christ asserts His right. 

Matthew 17 verse 27

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Verse 27: The Lord said further to Peter this: despite that we should offend these money inners you go to the sea of Galilee and cast an hook. Take up the fish that first comes up and when thou hast opened the mouth of the fish you will find a piece of money and take that and give it to them, that piece of money, that it is from Me and from thee. 

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Matthew chapter 18

Matthew 18 verse 1

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Verse 1: The disciples asked our Lord Jesus Christ this: who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? The logo for Christ's kingdom of heaven on earth might well include a little child. His answer came in verse 2

Matthew 18 verse 2

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

Verse 2: The Lord called a little child unto Him. The child came and He set the child in the midst of them. What was His intention with this? We read this in the next verse. 

Matthew 18 verse 3

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 3: Here we have the answer of the Lord and His intention of this. He said to His disciples looking to the child probably you have to be changed, converted and become as little children like this child. To have faith 100 procent trusting God what children do, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven on earth. They had to have the faith of a little child. By no means did Christ disparage children nor minimize their import to or in the kingdom. These children could and did believe on Christ as Messiah.

Matthew 18 verse 4

 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 4: The person who humbled himself as the little child the Lord let see is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven on earth.  The Lord emphasizes on humbleness. That's the most important a person can do to be the greatest in the Kingdom on earth. 

Matthew 18 verse 5

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Verse 5: The Lord told His disciples this lesson that they had to receive such little child in His Name and then they receive Him. They welcomed Him if they have this attitude the Lord told them. 

Matthew 18 verse 6

 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Verse 6: A unspoiled child has the characteristics that make for humility: trust. By nature man is rebels and wanted t be celebrities instead of servants. It is a dangerous thing to look down on the children the little ones which believes in Christ. To offend these little ones the Lord told His disciples it was better for such persons that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that person was drowned in the depth of the sea. You see this is a judgment of the Lord. 

Matthew 18 verse 7

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Verse 7: In the world there are a lot of offences and it is a need that there be offences but regret to that man by whom the offence cometh. That is not good the Lord told His disciples. 

Matthew 18 verse 8

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Verse 8: What does this verse mean? Many prevailing temptations to sin arise from within ourselves. The disciples had to drawn away of their own lusts. The inward lusts must be mortified. The outward of sin must be avoided.  To mortify  the deeds of the flesh. This is what the Lord meant with it and this He told His disciples. 

Matthew 18 verse 9

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Verse 9: This verse is a continuation of verse 8 and means the same what we here read. The disciples had to drawn away of their own lusts, the world outside and mortify the deeds of the flesh. This is what was told by the Lord to His disciples. 

Matthew 18 verse 10

 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Verse 10: The disciples had to learn not to despise or neglect of these little ones. Who were the little ones? That were the children who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth. They trusten in Him as the Son of God.  The angels of these little onse always behold the face of the Father which is in heaven. The angels have always access to God the Father that He command them to protect those little ones. 

Matthew 18 verse 11

 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 

Verse 11: The Son of man, Christ Himself said here that He is come to save the lost. That's why He came to earth. In I Timothy 1 verse 15 the apostle Paul through the Lord told us this: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Christ is the Savior of the world! Is He your Savior too?

Matthew 18 verse 12

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

Verse 12: The owner of the hundred sheep the Lord spoke to His disciples, that lost one sheep go after to find the one sheep.  He will not give up to find this sheep. 

Matthew 18 verse 13

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Verse 13: And as he found the sheep he is greatly pleased when he has found it and he is more glad that this sheep is found than all the sheep who were not lost. Israel was always compared with sheep. God wanted in that time too that every one of the folk Israel would be saved. That was His will for that dispensation too just like now under the dispensation of Grace Ephesians 3:1-3, I Timothy 2:3-4.

Matthew 18 verse 14

 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Verse 14: It is the same the Lord spoke to His disciples and listeners that God the Father doesn't want that one of these little children will be lost forever. No God is a God of life, eternal life and everyone under that Dispensation of the Law would be saved. 

Matthew 18 verse 15

 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Verse 15: Another command from the Lord to His disciples: if a brother sinned against you. Immediately go to tell him his fault or sin between you and him alone. Then he will hear you about it and if he shall hear you and will do it not again then you have gained your brother.

Matthew 18 verse 16

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Verse 16: If your brother the Lord told His disciples will not hear then take one or two  people to say it to him because in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  With other words: the word will exists when there are more than one person who tells the truth. 

Matthew 18 verse 17

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Verse 17: If the Lord spoke to them, if the brotehr shall ignore to hear those witnesses of 3 people tell this unto the church and if the brother will ignore to hear the church consider him as a heathen and publican. 

Matthew 18 verse 18

 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Verse 18: What does it mean these words of the Lord? It is not a prayer promise, as so many Christians mistakenly believe. That was the Lord telling them that after He ascended into heaven, they could make official decisions in His absence if there was a quorum of two of the twelve present to make them.

Matthew 18 verse 19

 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Verse 19: That means there is simply no way that the twelve would do anything official. Two apostles were enough, of course, since “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (Deut.17:6; 19:15; II Cor. 13:1). Indeed, the Lord had instructed the apostles that where “two or three” of them were gathered together in His name, they had the authority to act officially in His absence (Matt. 18:18-20).

Matthew 18 verse 20

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Verse 20: According Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19 verse 15: in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established and now the Lord said also that He is in the midst of these 2 or three persons who gathered together. This He learned and preached this to His disciples. 

Matthew 18 verse 21

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Verse 21: Peter who was one of the first of the disciples asked Him again a question: how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Do I have to forgive my brother 7 times? Seven times might be sufficient. 7 was holy in that time. But we read in the next verse this. 

Matthew 18 verse 22

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Verse 22: The Lord saith unto Peter not seven times. He said seventy times seven. This had a great precendence in Israel. With this seventy times seven number in Peter's mind the Lors spoke about another Kingdom parable. The phrase the kingdom of heaven is like we read in the next verse. 

Matthew 18 verse 23

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

Verse 23: The kingdom of heaven is likened proves to be a absolute essential of a parable. The cerain king which would take account of his servants. 

Matthew 18 verse 24

 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

Verse 24: The King began to reckon and there was brought a servant of him who owed him ten thousands talents. Ten thousand talents is 600 golden crowns. That's a lot brothers and sisters! That was the value of 10 thousands talents! 

Matthew 18 verse 25

But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Verse 25: The servant couldn't pay so the lord commanded him to sell his most precious possession he had namely his wife, children and all he had for a payment to his lord. He had to pay with this as a means of payment. Is this not cruel or unrighteous? We read in the next verses what happened, what the Lord told His disciples about it. 

Matthew 18 verse 26

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Verse 26: The servant felled down, worshipped his lord and said to his Lord that his Lord had to have patience with him and then he would pay everything back to his lord. With other words if his lord have mercy on him. This let you see that God Who is Lord is perfect and the servant who is man is a sinner and far from perfect. 

Matthew 18 verse 27

 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

Verse 27: After the servant had said this what we had read in the last verse the lord of this servant was moved with empathy and loosed his servant and forgave the debt the servant had. This is how it will work in the kingdom of heaven. 

Matthew 18 verse 28

 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

Verse 28: The servant of the lord was not thankful that his master forgave him the debt because he went out and found one of his fellowservants who was in debt to him. He laid hands on him and took him by the throat. This fellowservant had to pay him otherwise....... In human ways and also in God's eyes this servant was not nice and merciful but cruel and hard. We read further.......

Matthew 18 verse 29

 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Verse 29: The servant his fellowservant fell down before his feet and begged him to have patience on him and he would pay him back all what he had. What we see in the next verse is this.

Matthew 18 verse 30

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

Verse 30: The servant was not merciful. He didn't agree with the fellowservant who begged him to be patient with him because he couldn't pay the servant.  The servant did the oposite: he cast him into prison until he should pay the debt. 

Matthew 18 verse 31

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Verse 31: So the fellowservants saw everything what the servant had done to one of their fellowservant and were not happy with it. They came to their lord and told him about it so he came to know it. 

Matthew 18 verse 32

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Verse 32: His lord called the servant and said to him this: you are a evil servant because I forgave you all the debt because you begged me to do that. And now you did wrong things to the fellowservant because you cast him into prison because he couldn't pay the debt. 

Matthew 18 verse 33

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Verse 33: The lord asked his servant why he had not the compassion on his fellowservant as he had mercy on him? With other words why didn't you handle the same as I handled with you with all compassion? 

Matthew 18 verse 34

 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

Verse 34: The lord of this servant was very angry at him and delivered him over to the tormentors. He had to pay all that was due to him. So there was no mercy on him from his lord. 

Matthew 18 verse 35

 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Verse 35: This was really a warning to the disciples of the Lord. If ye don't forgive every one's brother's trespasses you shall be delivered  to the place of tormention and shall wear the punishment. Under the law of Moses every person was guilty and he or she had to do the works of the law and all the things the Lord Jesus Christ told them to do/ to handle in daily life. A person in that time could loose his or her salvation. Nowadays this is valid now: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4 verse 5

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Matthew Chapter 19

Matthew 19 verse 1

And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

Verse 1: When our Lord Jesus Christ had finished to say what He said before (chapter 18 lasts verses) He departed from Galilee en went to the borders of Judaea over the river Jordan. It was maybe 80 kilometres from Galilee to get into Judaea. 

Matthew 19 verse 2

And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

Verse 2: And a lot of people followed Him litteraly and the Lord Jesus Christ healed a lot of people who were sick there. He showed there His divine power! This was very special so that many could believe in Him. 

Matthew 19 verse 3

 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

Verse 3: The Pharisees came always to the Lord Jesus Christ to ask Him something and most of the times you read that they came when there were a lot of people who listened to Him. They hated the Lord Jesus Christ and tried many times to tempt Him. Again in this verse we read that they asked Him this question: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? Did God had said this in the Law of Moses, in His Word? No but satan twisted Gods Word and these Pharisees were his ministers to work through.  In the next verses we can read what the answer is from our Lord Jesus Christ to them. 

Matthew 19 verse 4

 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Verse 4: The Lord answered very tactical. He begins with the beginning when God created man: He made them male and female. No other genders. You have man and woman only that.  And the Lord asked these Pharisees: have ye not read! Read in what? The Word of God where you can read in the first book of Moses Genesis how God made them male and female. 

Matthew 19 verse 5

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Verse 5: For this cause. Which cause? That God made in the beginning male and female. That's why a man shall leave his father and mother and shall find another woman, wife to cleave on her. To have a new family together and these two persons man and woman shall be one flesh. 

Matthew 19 verse 6

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Verse 6: So when a man cleave his wife they become one flesh. They are then naturally connected: one flesh. God hath joined man and wife together No man had the right to put asunder or separate. 

Matthew 19 verse 7

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

Verse 7: These Pharisees didn't give up after the Lord had answered them and gave them a good answer after they asked this: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? Now the question to Him why Moses gave the command to write a divorcement and put the wife away? In the next verse we read the answer of the Lord Jesus Christ to them. 

Matthew 19 verse 8

He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

Verse 8: The Lord's answer to the question of the Pharisees is clear: Moses gave a command to write a divorcement and so put away the wife because of the hardness of their hearts. The hardness of human hearts. But from the beginning it was not so. No it was: what therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Matthew 19 verse 9

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Verse 9: The Lord Jesus Christ commanded this to the multitude inclusive the Pharisees. He said whosoever shall put away his wife another reason then fornication  there is no ground to divorce.  And if a man put away his wife for another reason and marry another woman committeth adultary which is sin and have a lot of consequences. And also who marry a this put away woman for another reason then fornication commit adultery. 

Matthew 19 verse 10

His disciples say unto Him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

Verse 10: Then His disciples said something to the Lord Jesus Christ: If a man is so attached to his wife. Then it is not good to marry. It was a suggestion of the disciples against this law of Christ. It seems the disciples themselves were loth to give up the liberthy of divorce. 

Matthew 19 verse 11

But He said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

Verse 11: The Lord Jesus Christ's answer to this suggestion of the disciples is that He agrees that it is good for some men not to marry. Not all men can receive this saying only the ones to whom it is given . To whom who understand it.  The Lord Jesus Christ allowed what the disciples said. If a man has the gift to be single let him continue to be single.

Matthew 19 verse 12

 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Verse 12: What is the meaning of the Lord Jesus Christ in this verse. What does He said here? The Lord Jesus Christ expands on the concept of a eunuch here, describing some men as being born eunuchs, meaningthose who naturally lack sexual desire or the ability to have sex. This would seem to include those who are born with physical complications, as well as those with sexual desires incompatible with marriage. They have more time to serve God than to have a wife and kids. 

Matthew 19 verse 13

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

Verse 13: The disciples  wanted to hinder that the Lord would put His hands on these little children and pray to His Father in heaven. They rebuked the people who brought unto the Lord those little children. Why they did this? Probably they didn't understand it what this meant. 

Matthew 19 verse 14

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 14: What was the answer of the Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples who tried to hinder the children? Here in this verse we read the answer. With other words the Lord said hinder or forbid them not to come to Me. That was His answer and also don't touch them. For these little children is the kingdom of heaven. Children are a example of honesty and they believe more easier than grown up men. 

Matthew 19 verse 15

And He laid His hands on them, and departed thence.

Verse 15: The Lord laid His hands on these little children and He departed from there. He went away from that place and His disciples followed Him to another place. 

Matthew 19 verse 16

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

Verse 16: The Lord with His disciples were in another place and in that place a man came to Him with this question: what must I do to have eternal life, to be saved? This question is more asked in the Bible and everytime there is different answer to this question. 

Matthew 19 verse 17

And He said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Verse 17: The Lord had a clear answer to the person who asked Him what good thing he had to do that he had eternal life. First He said why callest thou me good? There is none good but one and that is God. God is good, no one else. Further on the Lord said if thou wilt enter into eternal life keep the commandments, the Law he had to keep. 

Matthew 19 verse 18

He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Verse 18: The man did not know which commandments the Lord meant. He asked Him which? And the Lord Jesus Christ said this: thou shalt no murder, thou shal not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness. Als these commandments were in the Ten commandments which are a part of the 613 commandments of the Law. 

Matthew 19 verse 19

Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Verse 19: Honour thy father and mother so that this man could live longer on earth. And to love his neighbour as himself. 

Matthew 19 verse 20

The young man saith unto Him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Verse 20: The young man who asked Him how to have eternal life replied that he had done all those commandments from his youth on but he asked on the end where lack he yet. He feeled he came to short for eternal life.  In the next verse the Lord gave the finally or last answer to him. 

Matthew 19 verse 21

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Verse 21: This is the final answer of the Lord: if you want to be perfect: go sell all what you have and give it to poor people and you shall have a treasure in heaven. Come and follow Me. This was a great offer the rich young man had to do. Did he do this? Did he obeyed the Lord on this saying, answer? 

Matthew 19 verse 22

 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Verse 22: When the young man heard what the Lord told him to do he went away from the Lord. He was heartbroken for he had great possesions and to sell al that, that was to much for him to do. He wouldn't do this. 

Matthew 19 verse 23

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 23: The Lord said after this saying this to His disciples truly that it is for a rich man barely to enter the kingdom of heaven because he couldn't give up his possessions. 

Matthew 19 verse 24

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Verse 24; What does this mean what the Lord said to His disciples again that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle that for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. The only rich people at Pentecost were the ones who didn’t sell all they had, and so were not saved. That explains why the Lord this said to His disciples. Wealth is the big ido of this world.  This is not only in our time. It was always so.  Men is trusting very fast on weath to protect him from all discomfort and all disaster which will overcome him. But with his death he cannot take something in the grave (Psalm 49:18).

Matthew 19 verse 25

When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Verse 25: The Lord's disciples heard the Word of the Lord and were very amazed and asked themselves who then can be saved? No one? It was to difficult salvation and how to be saved. 

Matthew 19 verse 26

 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Verse 26: The Lord Jesus Christ saw His disciples and said to them this: for you men this is impossible to be saved but with God all things are possible. God is a God of possibilities. Nothing is impossible for Him. He works after the council of His will. That was then when our Lord was on earth working under His earthly ministry. Nowadays God has not changed only His dealings with men has changed. Still for Him is nothing impossible. This is general truth. 

Matthew 19 verse 27

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

Verse 27: Peter was always the first person of the disciples who had to say something. Peter answered to what the Lord said before . He said we have forsaken all and followed Thee. What shall we be then? What shall follow for us disciples? This is what Peter asked the Lord.

Matthew 19 verse 28

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Verse 28: The Lord Jesus Christ gave answer to the question of Peter. He said you have followed Me. In the regeneration: this is when they shall be resurrected just before the Kingdom on earth, when the Son of man. The Lord was speaking about Himself here. The Son of man shall sit on the throne of His glory on earth in Jerusalem they the 12 disciples, apostles shall sit upon 12 thrones with Christ and will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. This will be when the Lord will come on earth and will be King over the earth! 

Matthew 19 verse 29

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Verse 29: For everlasting life a person must do this: forsake your house, your brethren, sisters, father , mother and even wife, children, lands for His Name's sake. If you think about it this is very difficult to do but the person had to do this to receive an hundredfold and inherit everlasting life. 

Matthew 19 verse 30

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Verse 30: What does it mean this verse? Faithful, believing Israelites who enter the land to rule with
Christ will be rewarded and given positions of authority within His Kingdom. The ones who lost the most on earth because of Christ in their lives they shall receive eternal rewards to compare with the ones who offered up much less. 

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Matthew chapter 20

Matthew 20 verse 1

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

Verse 1: The Lord Jesus Christ spoke about the kingdom of heaven. It was a comparison. This is what He told His disciples very often about the Kingdom of heaven like a comparison. Now in this verse the Lord compares the Kingdom of heaven with a man who is an householder. This householder went out early in the morning for one purpose: to hire labourers for his vineyard. In this chapter we read that the householder hires in his vineyard. In the next verses he hires other idle men at the third hour 9 a.m. All those hired at 9 a.m. and after that hour was told Go ye also into the vineyard and whatsoever is right that shall ye receive.  The first ones hired represented Israel's leaders like the Scribes, Pharisees and chief priests. The other hired workers would be additional kingdom workers down to the last who would be the 12 apostles. These 12 had been promised to reign with Christ  as will those of Matthew 19: 29 and Revelation 20:4. 

Matthew 20 verse 2

And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Verse 2: The householder made a agreement with the labourers. They could work in his vineyard for a penny a day. In the New Testament "penny," either alone or in the compound "pennyworth," occurs asthe rendering of the Roman denarius. The denarius was the chief Roman silver coin, and was worth about 15 to 17 cents. Today this money would be worth little but in the time of the Lord on earth quite a bit. 

Matthew 20 verse 3

 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

Verse 3: The householder went out the third hour that is 9 a.m.  He saw others standing in the marketplace. These were additional kingdom workers. He hired them also for his vineyard. 

Matthew 20 verse 4

And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

Verse 4: The householder said to these persons: go ye also into my vineyard . Whatsoever is right you do I will give you. After this saying they, thse additional kingdom workers, went their way. 

Matthew 20 verse 5

Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

Verse 5: The householder went again out about the 6th hour and 9th hour. Everytime there was 3 hours in between. He invited also these hours persons to enter his vineyard. 

Matthew 20 verse 6

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

Verse 6: 2 hours later on the eleventh hour the householder went out and found other persons who stood empty and he said to them. Why you stand there all the day and doing nothing? 

Matthew 20 versde 7

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

Verse 7: These men, empty and doing nothing and standing there said to this householder the reason why they were standing there because no person hath hired them.  So the householder told them that they could work in the vineyard and doing things what is right and over that they should receive things. It is faith and works and then ye shall receive good things. 

Matthew 20 verse 8

 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

Verse 8: The lord or householder of the vineyard said to his steward that he had to call the labourers at the end of the day when it became evening. Give them their wage and to begin with the last I had said that they had to work in the vineyard until the first persons who began to work in the vineyard. With other words you have to pay them all. 

Matthew 20 verse 9

And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

Verse 9: So the last men who were hired were called by the steward of the householder and they received all of them one penny. That was the committment they had with the lord. 

Matthew 20 verse 10

But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

Verse 10: When the first men came they thought that they would receive more than the last men but they received also one penny every man. In their eyes this was very strange but the commitment was like this. 

Matthew 20 verse 11

And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
Verse 11: The first men received just as the last men received one penny and they began to murmur against the goodman of the house. They didn't understood that they received the same money for their work like the last men received. 

Matthew 20 verse 12

Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

Verse 12: These first men began not only to murmur but said this that they last men labored one hour and that the owner of the vineyard  made them equal with them who worked the whole day. Equal in giving the same paying namely one penny. For them this was not right but unrighteous. 

Matthew 20 verse 13

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

Verse 13: What was the answer of this householder? He answered this: Friend he said to all the men who had started at first to work in the vineyard, I have not wronged you because you agreed with me to work in my vineyard for a penny? That was the commitment yes?

Matthew 20 verse 14

 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

Verse 14: So take the penny which is for you for working the whole day and go thy way and after that he said this that he would give the same to the last men than to them. That was the deal. 

Matthew 20 verse 15

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Verse 14: The lord of the vineyard was right in the things he did with his own. In their eyes he was not right but evil because he was good he asked the ones who complained and murmured. 

Matthew 20 verse 16

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Verse 16: So this is the conclusion of this parable about the Kingdom of heaven: the last shall be the first and the first last. Many personas are called but few are chosen by God to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Most people will not enter this kingdom. 

Matthew 20 verse 17

And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,

Verse 17: Our Lord Jesus Christ went up to Jerusalem and took the 12 disciples apart halfway and said to them this. We read that in the next verse. 

Matthew 20 verse 18

 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

Verse 18: The Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples this: notice this He said to them we go up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man (that was Himself) because He spoke of Himself shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes and they shall condemn Him to death. This is what the Lord was waiting when He would enter Jerusalem that time. The Lord was speaking about His suffering and dying. 

Matthew 20 verse 19

 And shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Verse 19: The chief priests and scribes should deliver Him to the Gentiles, the Romans to mock and scourge and crucity Him. But on the third day He, the Son of Man, shall rise again. He was again speaking about Himself what would happen to Him.

Matthew 20 verse 20

Then came to Him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping Him, and desiring a certain thing of Him:

Verse 20: Probably the Lord was on the way to Jerusalem or in Jerusalem. The mother of Zebedees children (his wife) came to Him and praised Him and desired a certain thing of Him, our Lord. What was this desire? We will see in the next verse. 

Matthew 20 verse 21

 And He said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

Verse 21: And He reacted to her and said to her what do you want? She said to Him this: Allow that my 2 sons may sit one on the right hand and the other on the left hand in Thy Kingdom when you will reign as King. 

Matthew 20 verse 22

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Verse 22: But the Lord Jesus Christ answered to her and probably more persons as their sons:  ye know not what ye ask for. He reproved the ignorance  and error or their petition . They knew not what it was to sit on His right hand or on His left.  They talked of it as  blind men do of colours. Then are ye apt to drink of the cup that I shall drink. That is to suffer for Christ is to drink the cup. The Lord was speaking about dying on the cross. And to be baptized with the baptism ( not with water) but the dying on the cross. Then they responded to Him and said we are apt or able to do this. 

Matthew 20 verse 23

 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Verse 23: To suffer for Christ is to drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism that he is baptized with. It is a bitter cup those baptisms that could be but to sit on the right hand or on the left hand of Christ is not to Him to give but this shall be given to whom it is prepared for and that of His Father. 

Matthew 20 verse 24

And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

Verse 24: When the ten disciples heard what the Lord said to the other two disciples they were angry against the two brethren/disciples. They blamed it on them. 

Matthew 20 verse 25

 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

Verse 25: The Lord Jesus Christ heard of His disciples and called them and said that that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over the folk . And the persons who are great exercise authority upon the folks. 

Matthew 20 verse 26

 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

Verse 26: The Lord is explaining His disciples this that no one of them will have dominion over the others and no one is greater than the other. Whosoever will be great among them let him be a servant. 

Matthew 20 verse 27

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Verse 27: Every person of you the Lord told His disciples who want to be chief, be the great or first let him be your servant. Why was the Lord telling this? The answer we can read in the next verse. 

Matthew 20 verse 28

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Verse 28: The Son of man the Lord told His people, came not to the earth to be ministered, to be worshipped or served but to minister, to serve, to be a Servant and to give His life a ransom for many people. This He did later on the cross of Calvary. That was His earthly ministry: to serve and be a servant obedient to His Father in heaven so that this plan to give His life a ransom for the whole world could be accomplished. 

Matthew 20 verse 29

And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

Verse 29: When the Lord had said these words that the Son of man came not to be ministered but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many people the Lord and His disciples departed from Jericho and a great multitude of men followed Him. He had such a divine attraction that a lot of people followed Him litteraly. Yes He is and was God in the flesh!!

Matthew 20 verse 30

And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

Verse 30: There were 2 blind men sitting next to the way and they heard that the Lord Jesus would pass them and when He was in the near to them they criet out saying: Have mercy on us o Lord, thou son of David. They recognized that He was Lord and the son of David. They believed in Him without seeing Him. 

Matthew 20 verse 31

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

Verse 31: The multitude of men didn't like it that these two blind men were crying to Him and they reprimand them to stop and say nothing anymore but those blind men were not listening. This had no effect on them they cried the more and said: have mercy on us O Lord  thou son of David. If persons are forbidden to speak some are not listening and don't stop to speak.  In this case it was their only chance to be healed and they knew that the Lord Jesus Christ could heal them. They believed in Him and were convinced of Him. 

Matthew 20 verse 32

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

Verse 32: The Lord Jesus Christ stood still and called those 2 blind men and said: what do ye want me to do to you? The answer to this is not that difficult. In the next verse we read this answer. 

Matthew 20 verse 33

They say unto Him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

Verse 33: This was their answer that their eyes may be opened so that they could see after that. These two men from birth were blind. Israel as nation was also blind and in general as nation stayed blind because they believed not on Him.  These men wanted to see. They believed in the Lord and that the Lord could heal them and would open their eyes. 

Matthew 20 verse 34

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Verse 34: The Lord Jesus Christ had on that moment so much empathy on them that He touched their eyes and directly their eyes received sight and they followed Him. They didn't go as some healed people to anounce everywhere that the Lord had healed them, no, they followed Him litteraly. 

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Matthew chapter 21

Matthew 21 verse 1

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

Verse 1: The Lord Jesus with His disciples came near Jerusalem. They entered in Bethphage. It was a place near the mount of Olives. There in that place the Lord send 2 of His disciples after ariving. Why was He sending them? This we read in the next verses. 

Matthew 21 verse 2

 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.

Verse 2: Before the Lord send His 2 disciples He said to them: Go into the village of Bethphage and straightway ye shall find an ass, a donkey, who is tied and  the colt with her. Loose them and bring them the donkey and the colt to me the Lord asked them. 

Matthew 21 verse 3

And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

Verse 3: Thereby He said to them: if anybody asked you why you loose the donkey and the colt you can answer: the Lord need them. Then he will be convinced and send the donkey and colt to the Lord. 

Matthew 21 verse 4

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

Verse 4: All this was completed that it could be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet Zechariah. We read in Zechariah 9 verse 9 this: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. More than 500 years before this happened it was prophesied by the prophet Zechariah. And it came out!!

Matthew 21 verse 5

Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

Verse 5: This was the saying of the prophet: tell the daughter of Sion: behold thy King comes to thee, longsuffering, peaceful and He sits on a donkey and a colt the foal of an ass. And this happened there in Jerusalem. 

Matthew 21 verse 6

And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

Verse 6: These two disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ went and obeyed His command and did exactly what He told them. 

Matthew 21 verse 7

 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

Verse 7: These two disciples brought the ass and the colt. They put their clothes on these animals and they set Him thereon so that He could enter Jerusalem. What prophesied before became true! 

Matthew 21 verse 8

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

Verse 8: A lot of people or a great multitude of people spread their clothes on the way He came. Others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the way. It looked they were happy that He came and would enter Jerusalem. They saw Him as the King, the Son of David! 

Matthew 21 verse 9

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Verse 9: There was a large crowd of people who walked before Him on the way and there were people who followed . They cried and said: Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. People were glad at that moment! 

Matthew 21 verse 10

And when He was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

Verse 10: The Lord Jesus Christ came into Jerusalem on that donkey and colt. The people in Jerusalem were emotional. Maybe also tears came into the eyes of a lot of people and they said: Who is this man? They had never seen this before! 

Matthew 21 verse 11

And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Verse 11: The multitude of people said this: this is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. They knew He came from Nazareth in Galilee. They saw Him as a prophet: one send by God! 

Matthew 21 verse 12

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Verse 12: The Lord Jesus Christ went into the temple of God in Jerusalem. The temple was a place of worship to God but people had made it that moneychangers were on tables, they sold doves and made a mass of it. The Lord cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple. He overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of them that sold doves.

Matthew 21 verse 13

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 

Verse 13: He, the Lord, said this: it is written in the Scriptures that the House of God, the temple shall be called the house of prayer, worship but ye have made it a den of thieves. With other words shame on you! Hard words but it was neccessary to awake the people who did this. 

Matthew 21 verse 14

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

Verse 14: Handicapped people: lame and blind came to Him in the temple. They knew He could heal them and yes He healed them. A lot of people the Lord healed in His earthly ministry. Healing was working under the Dispensation of the law. There were a lot of sick people when the Lord was on earth. 

Matthew 21 verse 15

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,

Verse 15: Not everyone in Jerusalem was pleased by what the Lord did. These wre the chief priests and scribes and they saw the wonderful things He did. They heard the children crying in the temple and saying Hosanna to the son of David. These children were so glad and were happy but these priests and scribes far from it. They weren't happy with the Lord Jesus Christ.  They couldn't do the wonders He did and recognized that He was stronger then them and that He was send from above but didn't believe in Him. Instead of that they hated Him and the devil was working in their lives. 

Matthew 21 verse 16

 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Verse 16: These scribes and chief priests said to Him this: Do ye hear what these say?  And the Lord said to these Scribes and chief priests this: have ye never read: out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise. The Lord Jesus Christ's  point is that God is the one who causes children to praise Himself.

Matthew 21 verse 17

 And He left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

Verse 17: The Lord Jesus Christ left the chief priests and the scribes and left them there in the temple of Jerusalem and went to the city of Bethany. In Bethany he found a place to be there. He slept there in a house. 

Matthew 21 verse 18

Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

Verse 18: Now Bethany was a little village near Jerusalem. The next morning after sleeping the Lord returned in the city of Jerusalem. He had hunger. 

Matthew 21 verse 19

And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

Verse 19: On the way the Lord Jesus Christ saw a fig tree. He went to the fig tree but on this tree were not the figs but only leaves and He said : let no fruit (figs) grow on thee henceforward for ever. The result of this was that the fig tree dried up and was a dead tree. What the Lord said here has to do with the nation Israel. In Hosea 9 verse 10 we read this:  I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.  Israel as nation  should have known that nationally seh was ripe for the same treatment this fig tree received. The fact is that in the book of Luke you read the parable in which a fig was to be cut down after 3 years of unproductivity. This parable suggets let it alone this year also and if it bear fruit well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. Luke 13 verses 6-9. That added year was up at the stoning of Stephen. 

Matthew 21 verse 20

And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

Verse 20: The disciples of the Lord saw what the Lord did and were amazed that the fig tree withered away. The fig tree was completed dead! How could it be so soon that was what they questioned themselves. 

Matthew 21 verse 21

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Verse 21: The Lord answered His disciples and said to them: Truly I say unto you this if you have faith and does not doubt you can do this too like Me. Also you can say to the mountain you see be removed and the mountain shall cast into the sea. This shall be done. With faith it will work what the Lord said to His disciples. This was valid under the Gospel of the Kingdom. Nowadays we live under a different Dispensation, the Dispensation of the Grace of God. It is now that God works different with men under this Dispensation of Grace. 

Matthew 21 verse 22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Verse 22: Under the Gospel of the Kingdom what the Lord spoke to His disciples and in His earthly ministry this was a fact: all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer and believe ye shall receive. Everthing they asked for in prayer and believing God would give them. Is this still working nowadays you have to ask yourself. Whatever you pray and ask for  you will receive from God. Is this working today? No you have conclude this. This is not working today in this way. Why not? We live as believers in Christ under a different Dispensation of God. Another administration of God. We are told  in Ephesians 1 verse 3 this that we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. We have everything in Him. This is something to be thankful for everyday of our life how long we live here on earth. Then the question can I make everything known to God? Yes because we read in Philippians 4 verse 6 and 7 this: Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And everything you pray for you will receive? No, something better than that. Keep reading: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This is how it nowadays works. The peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ. This is much better for us today. Yes we have all blessings in Him: forgiveness of sins Ephesians 1:7, righteous in Christ, quickened us together with Christ. raised  us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus and much more what we have in Him. 

Matthew 21 verse 23

And when He was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Verse 23: The Lord Jesus Christ was in the temple and teached the people there and then the chief priests and elders of the nation Israel came to Him and asked Him this: by what authority doest thou these things and Who gave Thee the authority? So by what authority You teach people from the Word of God? 

Matthew 21 verse 24

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Verse 24: The lord plays the ball back to these chief priests and elders to ask them one thing. If they would tell Him or answered Him then He would tell them by what authority He did all those things. 

Matthew 21 verse 25

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

Verse 25: The Lord Jesus Christ asked the chief priests and elders of the nation of Israel this: the baptism of John, did it come from heaven or of men? After this they thought by themselves this: if they answered from heaven then He will say unto us this why we didn't believe him, John. 

Matthew 21 verse 26

But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

Verse 26: They continued reasoning if we shall say of men then we fear people because the people hold John as a prophet. This was a difficult dilemma they were thinking so they decide to this in the next verse.

Matthew 21 verse 27

And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Verse 27: They, the chief priests and elders of the nation Israel answered Him and said we cannot tell . The answere of the Lord was immediately this that He would not tell them by what authority He did all the things. 

Matthew 21 verse 28

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

Verse 28: The Lord is telling these chief priests and elders of the folk something new. He begins with what do you think? A certain man had 2 sons. The two sons represent the two classes of people in the nation Israel: the self righteous religious people and the publicans and sinners. To the first son the father said: Son, go work to day in my vineyard. These two had both the same command given them: Son, go work today in my vineyard

Matthew 21 verse 29

 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

Verse 29: The first son answered that he would not go but afterwards he repented and went. Finally he did what the father said and obeyed it. 

Matthew 21 verse 30

And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

Verse 30: The father came to the second son and said to him the same things: go work today in my vineyard and the second son of him said I will go sir and he went not to the vineyard to work there. 

Matthew 21 verse 31
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto Him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

Verse 31: Now the Lord is after telling this them asking this: which of the sons did the will of his father? They immediately answered Him the first. The Lord said to them and confronted them with the fact: He said to them: the publicans and the harlots (sinners) go into the kingdom of God before you because they repented to God and will do the will of the Father before you scribes and leaders of the folk Israel, and will enter the kingdom of God which will be on earth. 

Matthew 21 verse 32

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Verse 32: The Lord continued here in this verse: John the Baptist came to them in the way of righteousness. You scribes and elders of the folk didn't believed him not. The publican and the harlots believed him. You scribes and elders of the folk Israel have seen it but repented not that ye might believe him. You refused it the Lord said to them. Hard words but so true!!!

Matthew 21 verse 33

Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

Verse 33: The Lord told another parable: There was a householder which planted a vineyard. The Kingdom of God upon earth si here compared to a vineyard. He made a garden arount this vineyard. He digged a winepress in it and built a tower. This tower his husbandmen could hire this. The householder went into a far country. The Lord reminded  the Jews of God's goodness to them as a nation. God delivered  them from Egypt and planted them in a rich country of milk and honey. He gave them material and spiritual  blessings and asked only that they bear fruit for His glory. 

Matthew 21 verse 34

And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

Verse 34: From time to time the householder send his servants to the husbandmen especially when the fruit drew near that the husbandmen might receive the fruits of it. 

Matthew 21 verse 35

 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

Verse 35: The husbandmen were very angry and full of hate against the servants of the householder: one was beaten by them, another servant killed, another stoned. What should the householder do after this? He could have sent his armies to destroy these wicked men. Instead of this he sent more servants than the first servants to them. What was the reaction to this of the husbandmen? This we read in the next verse.

Matthew 21 verse 36

Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.

Verse 36: The lord of the vineyard send more servants and also these servants were by the husbandmen  killed, stoned or beaten like the first ones he send.

Matthew 21 verse 37

 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.

Verse 37: At last the lord of the vineyard send unto these husbandmen his son and said: they will not kill my son. They will spare him. But see in the next verse what happened to the son. 

Matthew 21 verse 38

But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.

Verse 38: As soon as the husbandmen saw the son they said among themselves this: he is the heir of the landlord, come let us kill him so that we will have his inheritance.  And so they did because we read in the next verse this:

Matthew 21 verse 39

 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

Verse 39: They, the husbandmen,  caught the son and cast him out of the vineyard. They drove him out and slew him to death. They were so cruel. Every person the landlord had send to the vineyard was killed. 

Matthew 21 verse 40

When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?

Verse 40: When the lord after this will come to the vineyard the question arises what will he do unto those husbandmen who killed everyone the lord send to the vineyard? 

Matthew 21 verse 41

They say unto Him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

Verse 41: The answer of the scribes and elders of the folk Israel was this: he will miserably destroy those wicked men. He will give it to other husbandmen who shall give him the fruits of the seasons. 

Matthew 21 verse 42

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Verse 42: The Lord saith unto these scribes and leaders of the folk Israel if they ever read the scriptures. The stone (that is the Lord Himself) which the builders rejected He is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord's doing. It is God's work and not of men. And is this wonderful in our eyes? 

Matthew 21 verse 43

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Verse 43: This is the answer of the Lord  to them: The kingdom of heaven which will be on earth someday. They, the scribes and leaders who rejected Him and would kill Him shall not be part of it. They shall not inherit this Kingdom. It shall be given to a small nation who will bring the fruits thereof. 

Matthew 21 verse 44

And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Verse 44: Who shall fall on this Stone. This is Christ the Cornerstone. Who shall fall on this Stone means who shall not believe in Him that person shall be lost and broken. But on whom it shall fall : the Stone it will grind him to powder. The person who believe not shall be punished in the lake of fire. This is what the Lord said to the scribes and leaders of the nation Israel. They didn't believe in Him. 

Matthew 21 verse 45

And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

Verse 45: The chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables and they understood that He spoke of them. That the Lord was very clear that He meant them. 

Matthew 21 verse 46

 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Verse 46: They hated Him of His words to them and sought to lay hands on Him that they might kill Him but they were afraid of the multitude of men because because the people took Him for a Prophet. A holy man and if they would lay hands on Him then the multitude of men would fight with them. 

To be continued

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Matthew chapter 22

Matthew 22 verse 1

And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said

Verse 1: The Lord Jesus Christ answered and spoke unto the people again in parables to tell the people of the Kingdom which is equal to....... We see this in the next verse. 

Matthew 22 verse 2

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

Verse 2: The kingdom of heaven which would come on earth! This is like a certain king who made a marriage for his son. His son was grown up because otherwise the son will not marry. The son here is Christ we know and He is the bridegroom. Israel is the bride here, these are the ones who are invited to come to the marriage. What do we read in the next verse? 

Matthew 22 verse 3

 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Verse 3: The king send his servants to the ones who were called to the wedding. But they refused to come, they refused the invitation!!  They wouldn't come because they didn't like it. They ignored the call.  

Matthew 22 verse 4

Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

Verse 4: The king send other servants to invite persons. He had prepared the dinner of the marriage. The oxen and fatlings were killed for the dinner and everything was ready for this dinner so they could come. But did they, did they come to the marriage?  Read on the next verses. 

Matthew 22 verse 5

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

Verse 5; Their answer was that they didn't took it serious and went their own ways. One had to go to his work as a farmer on the field, another person went to the merchandise. They dodged the invitation! You see here how the enemy of God the devil can work namely to ignore it and take it not serious. 

Matthew 22 verse 6

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

Verse 6: The remnant of the persons who were invited didn't ignore it. They were very angry and took the servants of the king. The servants were treated maliciously!  And they killed them!!

Matthew 22 verse 7

But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

Verse 7: The King heard that his servants were killed and he became angry at the murderers. He send his armies to destroy those murders and they burned the city of the murderers. 

Matthew 22 verse 8

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Verse 8: The king said to his servants. Apparently he had other servants. He said this to them: the wedding is ready for people to come to it but the ones who were invited were not worth to come to this wedding. So these people or persons were destroyed or killed. 

Matthew 22 verse 9

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Verse 9: The king send his servants, not anymore to people or persons who were invited because that was to dangerous but into the highways and there to invite persons to the marriage. The invitation is more begging persons to come. This saying please come to the wedding. 

Matthew 22 verse 10

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

Verse 10: The servants of the king went out into the highways. They gathered all persons as many as they found. It didn't matter these persons were bad or good. The wedding was full of invited persons or guests. 

Matthew 22 verse 11

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

Verse 11: The king came to see his guests. Then he saw under the guests a man who was not dressed in a wedding garment. How could this be? How could this man enter the wedding without this?  Read on

Matthew 22 verse 12

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Verse 12: When the king the man spoke he said to him: Friend. So this very friendly from the king to say. The man was far from a friend and yet the king calls the man a friend! Then the question; how dit you come here without clothes for the wedding? The man couldn't answer the king. These were hard words but the truth! So he was speechless.  

Matthew 22 verse 13

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Verse 13: The king gave immediately his commands to his servants. He said this: bind this man with hand and foot and take him away from the wedding. After that you have to cast him into outer darkness. This is another place for hell. This is a awful place and there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This man in this parable couldn's escape it. It gives us to think about 

Matthew 22 verse 14

 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Verse 14: Many people, persons are called to the wedding. Called to be a partaker of the kingdom of heaven. A lot of them refuse it and a few are chosen by the Lord who say yes to this call of the Lord. This is what the Lord said to the multitude inclusive the Pharisees who were listening to Him. 

Matthew 22 verse 15

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

Verse 15: The Pharisees went away. Consulted how they might trap Him in His talk. You can conclude that they hated Him because His words towards them was the truth and very sharp. They were confronted with their shortcomings. The Pharisees found themselves better than the rest of the people of Israel. Now their honor was compromised. Sound familiar yes? A lot of people today have the same feelings if they are confronted with the truth. 

Matthew 22 verse 16

 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

Verse 16: Instead to entangle Him in His talk they send their disciples with the Herodians, the family of king Herod and they came to Him and said this Master we know thou artrue and teach the Word of God which is the truth. Thou regardest not the person of men. All praiseworthy of these men to say but they didn't mean any of it. AnMad the Lord Jesus Christ knew it. 

Matthew 22 verse 17

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

Verse 17: Now came the question to Him. With this they tried Him: What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to pay taxes unto Caesar or not? Caesar was at the head of the empire and the Jews hated the Romans because they were occupied by the Romans and they thought with the first coming of our Lord that He would free them from their big enemy the Romans. They hoped that He would say that they could refuse to pay taxes but what did He say ? 

Matthew 22 verse 18

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

Verse 18: But the Lord Jesus Christ noticed their wickedness and said to them. Why you tempt me?  You are hypocrites, deceivers or liars and they were. 

Matthew 22 verse 19

Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

Verse 19: He commanded them after He said ye hypocrites shew me the tribute money. So they brought Him a penny. What was a penny? A Roman denarius, a silver coin of significant value.  It was often equivalent to a day's wage of a laborer or soldier. 

Matthew 22 verse 20

And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

Verse 20: Then He asked those hypocrites this: Whose is this image and superscription on the penny? This was to tell them the truth. 

Matthew 22 verse 21

They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Verse 21: Who's image was on the penny? Caesar;s image. Then He said to them give therefore unto Caesar the things what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God the things which are of God.  With other words pay taxes to the ones by whom you are occupied. 

Matthew 22 verse 22

When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Verse 22: After they heard the words of our Lord they wondered and left Him and went their own way. There was nothing to argue anymore with our Lord about this. 

Matthew 22 verse 23

The same day came to Him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked Him,

Verse 23: That same day when the others were gone the Sadducees, also a Jewish sect, came to Him. They believed that there was no resurrection. They asked Him this. We read on in the next verses. 
Matthew 22 verse 24

Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Verse 24: They say to our Lord Master. They recognized that He was a Master, a Rabbi. Now they come to argue with Him: If a man die and have not children left, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed unto his brother, provided the man has a brother. 

Matthew 22 verse 25

Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

Verse 25: These Sadducees had a example for our Lord here. They said to Him that one person was born in a family of 7 brothers.  The first married a wife and died but had no children . So he left his wife to the brother just after him. 

Matthew 22 verse 26

 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

Verse 26: The same happened to all his brothers until the seventh. 

Matthew 22 verse 27

 And last of all the woman died also.

Verse 27: Also the woman died after the last man has died. 

Matthew 22 verse 28

 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

Verse 28: Now the question from these Sadducees: therefore in the resurrection. They didn't believe in resurrection but they knew that He knew everything about it. Whose wife shall she be of the seven? That was their question because the woman was married to all the brothers. 

Matthew 22 verse 29

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Verxse 29: The Lord Jesus Christ answered them and said this: you are mistaken because you don't know the scriptures nor do you know the power of God. 

Matthew 22 verse 30

 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Verse 30: In the resurrection men will not marry  women anymore. Persons will be, a comparison with the angels of God in heaven. Nor will women be given to marriage. In the resurrection of the dead this is not necessary anymore. 

Matthew 22 verse 31

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

Verse 31: And what about the resurrection of the dead. Did you not heard which was spoken unto you all by God through His Word and His Word said this: 

Matthew 22 verse 32

I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Verse 32: This is what God said: I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God is not the God of the dead but of the living. With other words if you believe not in the resurrection than you believe not in God and then you refuse God in your lives. We have a living God and He is of the living and not of the dead.  This is a fact the Lord told them. 

Matthew 22 verse 33

And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

Verse 33: The multitude of men heard this Word of the Lord Jesus Christ and were perplexed because of His doctrine. They had not expected that He answered those Sadducees which believed not in the resurrection with a lot of knowledge. It amazes them.  The Sadducees had no counter response for what they heard from the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 22 verse 34

But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

Verse 34: The Pharisees heard what our Lord spoke to the multitude. They had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence. Now they came together to talk about it. It began to irritate them that He had always a answer upon the questions people asked Him. Those answers were of the Word of God and salted. Nobody could continue to argue with Him. 

Matthew 22 verse 35

 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

Verse 35: One of these Pharisees who was a lawyer asked Him a question and tried to tempt Him and said this. We read on in the next verses. Satan, the greatest tempter was behind those Pharisees and Sadducees and leaders of the folk of Israel. 

Matthew 22 verse 36

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Verse 36: For a lawyer who daily studied the Law of Moses he had know this but this was to tempt the Lord Jesus Christ with the purpose to accuse Him.  The Lord knew it that He was tempted. He knew all their thoughts because He was God Himself. 

Matthew 22 verse 37

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Verse 37: So the Lord Jesus Christ said to him, this lawyer: thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy sould and with all thy mind. First to love God. That is the first and greatest commandment of the Law Deut. 10 verse 12. 

Matthew 22 verse 38

This is the first and great commandment.

Verse 38: To love God with all the heart, with all the soul and with all the mind is the first and great commandment. 

Matthew 22 verse 39

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Verse 39: The second commandment is like this: thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Matthew 22 verse 40

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Verse 40: The whole law and the prophets hang on these two commandments. 

Matthew 22 verse 41
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

Verse 41: The Pharisees were gathered together because of the fact that the Lord had put the Sadducees to silence. The Pharisees did believe in the resurrection. Then the Lord asked them this.  We can read this in the next verses. 

Matthew 22 verse 42

 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.

Verse 42: The Lord Jesus Christ asked the Pharisees what they think of Christ, whose Son is He? The Pharisees said all that He is the son of David. David was the king and in the human line Christ would be the son of David because He would  sit on the throne of David in His reign on earth. This was a easy question because they knew the answer. 

Matthew 22 verse 43

He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,

Verse 43: Then the Lord asked them a more difficult question. Many of these Pharisees thought they had knowledge enough to be proud of. Now the Lord asked them this: If Christ be David's Son how then doth David, in the spirit, call Him Lord. This was a question with a instruction to them  and not to tempt them what they did to Him. 

Matthew 22 verse 44

The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Verse 44: The Lord quoted the Psalm 110 from king David: TheLordsaid unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. From Whom the Lord spoke to the Pharisees? From Himself. God the Father said unto His Son Lord. They are equal to each other. God is God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. He is a Trinity! 

Matthew 22 verse 45

 If David then call him Lord, how is He his son?

In Luke 20 verse 44 we read this: David therefore calleth him Lord, how is He then his son? This is what the Lord asked those Pharisees. That was a difficult question the Lord asked the Pharisees. 

Matthew 22 verse 46

And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

Verse 46: No man, no Pharisee or other person from the multitude was able to answer Him a word upon the question the Lord Jesus Christ asked. From that moment no person dared to ask Him another question. The result  of this day of dialogue was a silence on the part of the Lord's enemies namely the Pharisees and others. They dared not to ask our Lord Jesus Christ any more questions , not that they believed the truth  but because the fact they were afraid to face the truth. The religious leaders like the Pharisees, Sadducees, priests and leaders of the folk were so blinded by tradition, position  and selfish pride that they could not and would not see the truth and receive it.  Today we have a lot of people who are the same like these religious leaders. They refuse the salvation which is in Christ because of tradition, position, selfish pride and will not hear or read the truth that Christ died for us on the cross, in our place, for our sins and that He was buried and rose again from the dead to give us righteousness, new life in Him. If anyone who read this accept this, accept Him as personal Savior he or she is saved forever. It is a matter of eternal life or eternal death. Would you want to have eternal life in Him say yes and accept Him as Savior. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved forever!!!

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Matthew chapter 23

Matthew 23 verse 1

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

Verse 1: The Lord Jesus Christ spoke again to the multitude and to His disciples whom He had chosen. Later these disciples became the 12 apostles!

Matthew 23 verse 2:

Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

Verse 2: He said the scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses seat. What does this mean the Lord spoke?  The Scribes and Pharisees have the law of Moses (613 commandments) and also their own laws. They are the ones who will judge  the ones who does not do things right according the law of Moses and say to the people how to live according the law of Moses. 

Matthew 23 verse 3

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Verse 3: The Lord is giving instructions to the multitude and His disciples here. He said whatever they ask you to observe, to this. And then it comes: do not after their works (the works of the scribes and Pharisees) for they say other what to do but themselves they don't observe things. 

Matthew 23 verse 4

 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Verse 4: The scribes and Pharisees bind heavy burdens and these burdens are to heavy to lay on men;s shoulders but they do it anyway. Now comes the truth: the Pharisees and scribes will not move those burdens with one of their fingers. They were really hypocrites. 

Matthew 23 verse 5

 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Verse 5: The Lord Jesus Christ continued here to say that the works of the scribes and pharisees is  to let people see how good they are in the law. Phylacteries, what is the meaning of this? This is a small leather box containing Hebrew texts onvellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law. And they enlarge the borders of their garments. This means this: which points to modesty, a pure life and surrender to God.

Matthew 23 verse 6

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

Verse 6: This is what the scribes and pharisees did: they loved the best places at feasts and they occupied the chief seats in the synagogues. That gave them the feeling to be very important and gave them power over people. They were not modest the Lord told the disciples and the multitude of men. 

Matthew 23 verse 7

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

Verse 7: To these Pharisees and scribes it is success meant recognition by men and praise from men. They were not concerned  about the approval of God. They used their religion to attract attention , not to glorify God. They also thought the title rabbi means my great one and was coveted by the religious leaders. 

Matthew 23 verse 8

 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Verse 8: He, the Lord forbad His disciples to use Rabbi  because all of them were brothers  and the Lord Jesus Christ  alone was their Teacher and Master. 

Matthew 23 verse 9

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Verse 9: In this verse He forbad His disciples that no man call them father because they had one Father Who is in heaven. The Lor forbad them this with reference to spiritual things. It can be used to a biological father by that name but it was wrong to use it when someone was addressed by this when he was a spiritual leader. 

Matthew 23 verse 10

 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Verse 10: Further on told the Lord His disciples this that they were never be called masters. Why not? Because one is their Master, even Christ. He is the One Who is their Master. He is their Teacher. 

Matthew 23 verse 11

 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Verse 11: True greatness is found in serving others not in forcing others to serve them, the disciples. True geatness si not manufactored it can only come from God as they obeyed Him. 

Matthew 23 verse 12

 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Verse 12 : If the disciples humbled themselves in due time then god would exalt them. In I Peter 5 verse 6 is says this: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Matthew 23 verse 13

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Verse 13: But now the scribes and the Pharisees. The Lord Jesus Christ named them hypocrites! Why they are named like this? Answer is to find here in this verse: they shut op the kingdom of heaven against men. They hinder people to enter into the kingdom of heaven. They neither go into the kingdom of heaven because they refuse to believe and other people who entered the kingdom of heaven they wanted to stop them. It was satan who was behind those scribes and pharisees. 

Matthew 23 verse 14
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Verse 14: This was a very real warning for the scribes and Pharisees who are again named hypocrites. They swallowed up the houses of widows and they pretend to make longer prayer. The prayer was all hypocrite because they did the opposite evil things. That's why they would receive the greater damnations said the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 23 verse 15

 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.

Verse 15: Again the Lord is speaking to the scribes and pharisees. Again He said that they are hypocrites. They travelled on the sea and land to make one person a proselyte and when this person became a proselyte then they make him twofold more the child of hell than themselves. So they make it worser for this person then for themselves with all their laws above the law of Moses 613 commandments which no one can hold. 

Matthew 23 verse 16

Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

Verse 16: Again the Lord is speaking to the scribes and pharisees. These are hard words but the truth. They were blind guides. If you swear by the temple that is nothing but the one who shall swear by the gold of the temple is a debtor. With other words he is guilty!!

Matthew 23 verse 17

Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

Verse 17: The Lord doesn't not only say that they are blind guides and hypocrites. Here in this verse they called them ye fools and blind!! And then He asked them a question: what is greater: the gold or the temple that hallowed the gold? The Lord told them the truth and that was hard for them but He was right!!

Matthew 23 verse 18

And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

Verse 18: Every man who will swear by the altar that is nothing. But the one who swear by the gift that is upon the altar is guilty. They that sware by the gold of the temple had an eye to it as holy; but what was it that made it holy but the holiness of the temple, to the service of which it was appropriated? 

Matthew 23 verse 19

Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

Verse 19: Again the Lord said to them ye fools and blind men! It was the temple itself  that sanctified  the gold  and the altar that sanctified the gift . These scribes and pharisees were leaving God  out of their priorities. The Lord knew that the Pharisees and scribes  wanted both  the gold and the gifts on the altar. They were not seeking  for the righteousness of God. They worked out a religious system  that permitted them to rob God and others and still maintain  their reputations. 

Matthew 23 verse 20

Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

Verse 20: Thus the person who shall swear by the altar, he shall swear by it and with all the things on the altar. 

Matthew 23 verse 21

 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

Verse 21: The person who swear by the temple sweareth by the temple and all that dwelleth in the temple. 

Matthew 23 verse 22

And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Verse 22: The person that shall swear by heaven he sweareth by God Who Has His throne in heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ that sitteth upon that throne. 

Matthew 23 verse 23

 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Verse 23: Again the Lord said that the Pharisees and scribes were hypocrites. Why? They were strict  and precise in the smaller matters of the law, but as careless and loos in the wightier matters. They were partial in the law. The Pharisees and scribes observed smaller duties but omitted greater, they were very exact in paying tithes and when it came to mint, anise and cummin their exactness in tithing of which would not cost them much but would be cried up, an they should buy reputation  cheap. They were not honest in their "walk"according the law. 

Matthew 23 verse 24

Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Verse 24: The scribes and the Pharisees were blind guides because they didn't believe in God and rejected the Lord. That's why our Lord called them so. They guide people with their doctrines and laws while they were blind and lyers. These scribes and Pharisees avoided lesser sins but committed greater. Their teaching was corrupt because they lived corrupt. They strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel. 

Matthew 23 verse 25

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Verse 25: The Lord Jesus Christ used 2 illustrations: the cup and the platter, and the sepulcher. They both are the same truth: it is possible to be clean on the outside  and at the same time defiled on the inside. The Pharisees and scribes were very careful to keep  the outside  very clean because this was what men could see and they wanted the praise of men. But God sees the heart I Samuel 16 verse 7. When God looked within their lives He saw  greed and self indulgence. 

Matthew 23 verse 26

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Verse 26: The Lord called them blind Pharisee. First they had to cleanse which is within. They were far from clean inside so they had first to clean themselves inside and then the outside would also be clean.  Because the Pharisees  lived for reputation, not character. 

Matthew 23 verse 27

 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Verse 27: These Pharisees were hypocrites because they were white on the outside like whited sepulchres but filled with defilement and death on the inside. 

Matthew 23 verse 28

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Verse 28: These Pharisees and scribes appeared to men like righteous men but within themselves they were full of hypocrisy and iniquity. They were immoral. They were wicked persons. 

Matthew 23 verse 29

 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

Verse 29: The Lord Jesus Christ continued here to speak to the scribes and Pharisees and said again hypocrites. Why? The pretended a deal of kindness for the memory of the prophets. They honoured the relics of the prophets, they built their tombs and garnished  the sepulchres of the righteous. The righteous were the prophets. 

Matthew 23 verse 30

And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Verse 30: Those pharisees and scribes protested against the murder of them what we read here in this verse. Yet they were at that time when the Lord said this plotting to murder Christ to Whom all the prophets bore witness!!

Matthew 23 verse 31

Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

Verse 31: The Lord said this that sinners like the scribes and pharisees cannot hope to escape the judgment of Crhist for want of proof against them.  By their own confession it was the great wickedness of their forefathers to kill the prophets. They who condemn sin in others and yet allow the same or worse in themselves are of all others most inexcusable. Read Romans 1: 32. They were the children of the forefathers: it is the sin that runs in the blood among them. 

Matthew 23 verse 32

 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

Verse 32: The Lord Jesus Christ knew they were now contriving His death and they would do it in a few days. With other words you will but fill up the measure of guilt.  First there is a measure fo sin to be filled up. Second children fill up the measure of their father's sins when they are gone. Third: persecuting Christ  and His disciples and followers  is a sin that fills the measure of the nation's guilt. Four: God gives those up to their own heart's lusts. 

Matthew 23 verse 33

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Verse 33: The Lord called these pharisees and scribes serpents (like the devil), generation of vipers or pythons. And after this saying He said how can you escape the damnation of hell? They couldn't He knew very well. Hard words the Lord told them but it was reality. 

Matthew 23 verse 34

Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

Verse 34: The Lord told them in this verse that He should send prophets, wise men, scribes to them but these pharisees and scribes will some of them kill and crucify. Some of these men send by the Lord shall be scourged in their synagogues and they will persecute a lot of them from city to city.  Not for nothing the Lord called them serpents and generation of vipers. They were cruel people like you have also today in this world. 

Matthew 23 verse 35

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Verse 35: These Pharisees and scribes and elders of the folk Israel were quilty of all the righteous blood shed upon the earth: from Abel until Zacharias son of Barachias. They slew them between the temple and the altar. They were guilty because they were sinners. They have killed all the prophets and men of God. Hard words but the truth brothers and sisters!

Matthew 23 verse 36

Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

Verse 36: The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed again that they were guilty of all killing prophets and wise men from God.  This was the generation of Israel in the time the Lord Jesus Christ was on earth.