The big picture
Jesus, the healer and teacher announcing God's kingdom, returns across the lake. He forgives and heals a paralysed man, calls a tax collector, and eats with people others reject. Questions about fasting lead him to describe the new situation his presence creates. A grieving father, a woman with long illness, and blind men seek help. Some witnesses marvel while opponents accuse him of serving evil. The chapter ends with compassion for the crowds and a call for more workers.
In this chapter
- Healing Makes His Authority to Forgive Visible Matthew 9:1-8
People bring a paralysed man on a bed to Jesus in his own town.
- A Tax Collector Follows and Shares a Meal Matthew 9:9-13
Jesus sees Matthew collecting taxes and calls him to follow.
- His Presence Changes the Time for Fasting Matthew 9:14-17
Followers of John, the preacher who baptized people, ask why they and the Pharisees fast while Jesus' disciples do not.
- A Long Illness Ends and a Girl Rises Matthew 9:18-26
A ruler kneels before Jesus and says his daughter has died, trusting that his touch can restore her.
- Sight and Speech Return Amid Opposing Verdicts Matthew 9:27-34
Two blind men follow Jesus, appealing to him as Son of David, a title linking him with the promised royal line.
- Compassion Leads to a Prayer for Workers Matthew 9:35-38
Jesus moves through towns and villages, teaching in worship gatherings, announcing God's kingdom, and healing sickness.
Central truth
Jesus brings forgiveness and mercy to people in need, while his authority exposes the difference between trusting him and protecting religious respectability.
Scripture beside the summary
Matthew · King James Version · 38Matthew 9:1-8
Healing Makes His Authority to Forgive Visible
People bring a paralysed man on a bed to Jesus in his own town. Seeing their faith, he tells the man his sins are forgiven. Some scribes, teachers of sacred writings, inwardly accuse him of dishonouring God. Jesus knows their thoughts and asks which words are easier to say: forgiveness or a command to walk. To show that the Son of man, his title for himself, has authority to forgive, he tells the man to rise and take his bed home. The man does so. The crowd marvels and honours God for giving such authority among people.
In everyday life
The rehabilitation coordinator hears a claim about a patient's restored ability, then watches him stand and carry his own folded support home. The visible act answers doubt about what was said. She records what the witnesses can see. Jesus uses healing to demonstrate authority to forgive sins, not a clinical claim that walking alone can verify.
Notice
Matthew 9:6 The command to walk is given for a stated purpose: to show authority to forgive. The visible healing answers a dispute about an invisible act.
Matthew 9:1-8
King James Version1And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
2And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
3And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
4And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
5For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
6But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
7And he arose, and departed to his house.
8But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
Matthew 9:9-13
A Tax Collector Follows and Shares a Meal
Jesus sees Matthew collecting taxes and calls him to follow. He rises and goes. Later, many tax collectors and people known as sinners eat with Jesus and his disciples. Pharisees, members of a strict religious group, question that company. Jesus answers with the image of a doctor needed by the sick, not those who think themselves healthy. He calls them to learn God's desire for mercy rather than sacrifice. He has come to call sinners to turn back to God. Sharing the table does not call sin harmless; it brings those in need within reach of the call to change.
In everyday life
A recovery-group leader sits down to eat with new members whose past conduct has made respectable neighbours avoid them. The meal gives room for honest speech and a call to change. Keeping a clean reputation is not his first aim. Jesus calls sinners by his own authority and teaches God's mercy, not admission to a human recovery programme.
Notice
Matthew 9:13 The call includes repentance, a turn away from sin. Mercy towards the people at the table is not described as approval of every choice that brought them there.
Matthew 9:9-13
King James Version9And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Matthew 9:14-17
His Presence Changes the Time for Fasting
Followers of John, the preacher who baptized people, ask why they and the Pharisees fast while Jesus' disciples do not. Jesus compares his presence to a bridegroom at a wedding. Guests do not mourn while he is with them, though they will fast when he is taken away. He then pictures new cloth tearing an old garment and new wine bursting old skins. Fresh wine needs containers able to hold it. The images warn against forcing what he brings into forms that cannot receive it. His presence, not mere neglect of devotion, explains the difference they observe.
In everyday life
A wedding caterer keeps the tables set while the couple is still celebrating with their guests. She does not turn the meal into a mourning observance because another household is fasting that day. The occasion governs what fits. Jesus identifies his presence as the decisive change and foretells being taken away, not only a difference between social calendars.
Notice
Matthew 9:15 Jesus says a time of fasting will come when the bridegroom is taken. The answer distinguishes times rather than rejecting fasting as worthless in every setting.
Matthew 9:14-17
King James Version14Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
16No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
17Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Matthew 9:18-26
A Long Illness Ends and a Girl Rises
A ruler kneels before Jesus and says his daughter has died, trusting that his touch can restore her. Jesus follows. Along the way, a woman who has bled for twelve years touches the edge of his clothing, believing she will be healed. He turns, calls her daughter, and assures her that her faith has brought healing. At the ruler's house, mourners laugh when Jesus says the girl sleeps rather than remaining dead. He sends them out, takes her hand, and she rises. News spreads. A hidden sufferer and a grieving household both receive care during the same walk.
In everyday life
A family-support nurse waits with a grieving parent while another patient quietly asks for help she has delayed for years. The nurse makes room for the second need without treating the first as forgotten. Both are addressed as people, not interruptions. Jesus heals the woman and raises the dead girl, acts no support worker can promise.
Notice
Matthew 9:22 Jesus calls the woman daughter before confirming her healing. Her quiet approach does not leave her unnamed or unnoticed within the larger urgency of the ruler's request.
Matthew 9:18-26
King James Version18While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
19And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
20And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
23And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
24He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
25But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
26And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
Matthew 9:27-34
Sight and Speech Return Amid Opposing Verdicts
Two blind men follow Jesus, appealing to him as Son of David, a title linking him with the promised royal line. He asks whether they believe he can help. They affirm it, and he touches their eyes; they see. Though told to keep silent, they spread the news. Next a man unable to speak because of a demon is brought. Jesus casts it out, and the man speaks. The crowd says nothing like this has been seen in Israel, God's people. The Pharisees instead claim he works through the demons' ruler. The same acts meet wonder and hostile explanation.
In everyday life
A communication therapist watches a patient speak after long silence while observers respond in sharply different ways. One listens to the patient; another is preoccupied with discrediting the service. The restored voice remains real despite their dispute. Matthew attributes the man's speech to Jesus casting out a demon, not treatment whose cause a therapist can assess.
Notice
Matthew 9:34 The accusation follows restoration, not a failure to help. The opponents explain the act through evil power instead of denying that the man's speech has returned.
Matthew 9:27-34
King James Version27And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
28And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
30And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
31But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
32As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
33And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
34But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
Matthew 9:35-38
Compassion Leads to a Prayer for Workers
Jesus moves through towns and villages, teaching in worship gatherings, announcing God's kingdom, and healing sickness. Looking at the crowds, he feels compassion because they are worn down and scattered like sheep without a shepherd. He tells his disciples that the harvest is large but workers are few. They must ask the Lord who owns the harvest to send workers into it. The crowd is not presented merely as proof of Jesus' popularity. Its need becomes the reason for more service. His response to weary people joins teaching, healing, compassion, and a call to pray for help.
In everyday life
A rural health coordinator looks at a waiting list that has grown faster than the visiting team. She sees names and unmet needs rather than treating the numbers as a sign of success. She asks for more trained workers. Jesus calls for prayer to the Lord of the harvest, not staffing that a coordinator can arrange through recruitment alone.
Notice
Matthew 9:36 The sheep image explains Jesus' compassion through the crowd's lack of care and direction. Each person needs a shepherd. The large crowd is not merely an impressive following.
Matthew 9:35-38
King James Version35And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Matthew 9:1 begins with “And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.”
Where the chapter turns
Matthew 9:22 forms a natural hinge: “But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from…”
The final note
Matthew 9:38 leaves the reader with “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Jesus, disciples, house, arose, bottles, garment help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- receipt of custom
- A place where taxes or tolls are collected.
- physician
- A doctor who treats people who are ill.
- issue of blood
- A continuing flow of blood, here lasting twelve years.
- minstrels
- Musicians present among those mourning the girl’s death.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
