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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 8
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Chapter Level Commentary:
(17b)
READING CYCLE THREE (from "hyperlink")
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
BACKGROUND TO Mat_8:1-34
A. Matthew 8, 9 form a literary unit of ten miracles describing Jesus' power and authority not only over human beings, but over disease and nature. It is not by accident that these power miracles follow the Sermon on the Mount. Miracles are meant to (1) confirm Christ's message, (2) show the reality of the eschatological setting, and (3) show Deity's compassion.
B. In this chapter several groups depreciated by Jewish society are ministered to by Jesus.
1. leper - Mat_8:2; Mat_8:4 (Mat_10:8; Mat_11:5; Mat_26:6; Luk_5:12-14; Luk_17:11-14)
2. Gentile (i.e., Roman army officer) - Mat_8:5-13 (cf. Mar_7:26-37)
3. woman - Mat_8:14-15 (cf. Luk_8:2; Luk_8:43-48; Luk_7:36-50; Luk_13:10-12)
4. demon-possessed, Mat_8:16; Mat_8:28
This list could be easily expanded.
1. children - Mat_18:2 (in context a metaphor for new believers); Mar_10:13-16; Luk_18:15-17
2. the poor -
3. Samaritans - Luk_10:30-37; Luk_17:15-19; Joh_4:1-54
4. tax collectors - Mar_2:15-17; Luk_5:27-32; Luk_15:1 ff; Luk_19:1-10
5. sinners (those who did not keep the oral traditions) - Mat_9:10-11; Mat_11:19; Luk_15:2; Luk_18:13; Joh_9:16; Joh_9:24-25; Joh_9:31
Jesus' attention to and healing of these people was fulfillment of OT prophecy (cf. Mat_11:5, which quotes Isa_35:5-6; and Isa_61:1, also note the parallel in Luk_7:22).
C. There are discrepancies related to the time, place, and other details involved in these accounts as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. The difference speaks of (1) each Gospel writer's ability under inspiration to structure his evangelistic/catechistic presentation of Jesus to specific audiences and (2) the authenticity of the eyewitness accounts. We cannot explain the "why" and the " how" of Synoptic Gospel composition, but we can affirm their truthfulness, inspiration, and authority for our lives!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why do the Synoptic Gospels differ in their recording of the words and acts of Jesus?
2. Why was the healing of a leper such a significant event (cf. Mat_11:5)?
3. Why did Jesus want those who had been healed to go and show themselves to the priests?
4. What is so unusual about Jesus working with a Roman military officer?
5. What is the significance of Mat_8:11-12?
6. Who or what are demons? What is their purpose in our world?
7. Does Mat_8:17 teach that physical healing is a part of the atonement?
8. What is the significance of the terms "Son of Man" and "Son of God" (cf. Eze_2:1; Dan_7:13)?