| Teacher: Rusty Kennedy Series: Gospels |
Rusty's Notes | |
Matthew 8:5-13 – 5 When He entered Capernaum,
- Jesus’ headquarters in Galilee (north of the sea)
a centurion
- A Roman officer who was in command of over 100 men.
- Every centurion mentioned in the Gospels and Acts was a gentleman of high character and sense of duty, and this man was no exception.[1]
came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony!”
- Matthew and Luke tell the same story (Luke 7:1-10)
- Luke is more precise, Matthew is more dramatic.
- Luke, the doctor, describes the slave as sick and near death.
- He also describes the slave as “highly valued”.
- Luke says the soldier sent Jewish elders to Jesus (twice)… To request his presence… then to tell Jesus not to bother.
- This Roman soldier was a friend to the Jews.
- Luke mentions that this soldier loves the Jewish nation (the people) and has built them a synagogue.
- It would seem that everything about this man would prevent him from coming to Jesus.
- He was a professional soldier, and Jesus was a Man of peace.
- He was a Gentile, and Jesus was a Jew.
- But this soldier had one thing working for him: he was a man of great faith.
- This centurion understood that Jesus, like himself, was under authority.
- All Christ had to do was speak the word and the disease would obey Him the way a soldier obeyed his officer.
- Jesus was amazed (marveled) three times… by the faith of this centurion and in Mark 6:6 by the unbelief of the Jews.
- Matthew recorded two “Gentile” miracles: this one, and the healing of the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman (Matt. 15:21–28).
- In both cases, the Lord was impressed with their great faith.
- This is an early indication that the Jews would not believe, but the Gentiles would.
- Also, in both of these miracles, our Lord healed from a distance.
- This was a reminder of the spiritual position of the Gentiles “afar off”[3]
11 I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
- In reference to the many Gentiles that will come to faith in Jesus as the Jews forefathers believed in the Messiah to come.
12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
- In reference to the Great White Throne judgment for all non-believers.
13 Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was cured that very moment.[4]
Luke 7:1-10 – 1 When He had concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion’s slave, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and save the life of his slave. 4 When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.” 6 Jesus went with them, and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell Him, “Lord, don’t trouble Yourself, since I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. 7 That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be cured. c8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
9 Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel!” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. [5]
Luke 7:11-17 - 11 Soon afterward He was on His way to a town called Nain.
- Map
- 20-25 miles SW of Capernaum
- 8.6 miles SE of Nazareth
His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with Him. 12 Just as He neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out.
- They buried the dead outside the city walls for the sake of ritual cleanliness.
He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow.
- No means to provide for her.
A large crowd from the city was also with her.
- 2 different crowds – Those pursuing Jesus and those carrying a dead man.
- 2 only sons meet.
13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then He came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And He said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!”
15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Then fear came over everyone, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited His people.”
- Prophet… not Messiah.
17 This report about Him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity. [6]
Matthew 11:2-19 – 2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples 3 and asked Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. 6 And if anyone is not offended because of Me, he is blessed.”
7 As these men went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Look, those who wear soft clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 10 This is the one it is written about:
Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You;
he will prepare Your way before You. w
11 “I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John; 14 if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come. 15 Anyone who has ears should listen!
16 “To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to each other:
17 We played the flute for you,
but you didn’t dance;
we sang a lament,
but you didn’t mourn!
18 For John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”[7]
Luke 7:18-35 - 18 Then John’s disciples told him about all these things.
- John was in prison for speaking out against King Herod.
So John summoned two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?”
20 When the men reached Him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask You, ‘Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?’ ”
- Is this John’s doubt or John’s spurring or John’s moaning because he came to set the captives free and John is still sitting in prison?
21 At that time Jesus healed many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and He granted sight to many blind people. 22 He replied to them, “Go and report to John the things you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. 23 And anyone who is not offended because of Me is blessed.”
24 After John’s messengers left, He began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft robes? Look, those who are splendidly dressed and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 27 This is the one it is written about:
Look, I am sending My messenger
ahead of You;
he will prepare Your way before You. b
28 I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
- Jesus says John is the greatest Old Testament believer.
-But then says even the least of those in the kingdom of God are greater than John the Baptist.
29 (And when all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s way of righteousness, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. 30 But since the Pharisees and experts in the law had not been baptized by him, they rejected the plan of God for themselves. )
31 “To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to each other:
We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t weep!
33 For John the Baptist did not come eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” [8]
[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 33). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 33). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 33). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 8:5–13). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Lk 7:1–10). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Lk 7:11–17). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 11:2–19). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Lk 7:18–35). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Lk 7:35). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
- Jesus’ headquarters in Galilee (north of the sea)
a centurion
- A Roman officer who was in command of over 100 men.
- Every centurion mentioned in the Gospels and Acts was a gentleman of high character and sense of duty, and this man was no exception.[1]
came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony!”
- Matthew and Luke tell the same story (Luke 7:1-10)
- Luke is more precise, Matthew is more dramatic.
- Luke, the doctor, describes the slave as sick and near death.
- He also describes the slave as “highly valued”.
- Luke says the soldier sent Jewish elders to Jesus (twice)… To request his presence… then to tell Jesus not to bother.
- This Roman soldier was a friend to the Jews.
- Luke mentions that this soldier loves the Jewish nation (the people) and has built them a synagogue.
- “I will come and heal him,” He told him.
- It would seem that everything about this man would prevent him from coming to Jesus.
- He was a professional soldier, and Jesus was a Man of peace.
- He was a Gentile, and Jesus was a Jew.
- But this soldier had one thing working for him: he was a man of great faith.
- This centurion understood that Jesus, like himself, was under authority.
- All Christ had to do was speak the word and the disease would obey Him the way a soldier obeyed his officer.
- It is worth noting that only those who are under authority have the right to exercise authority[2]
- Jesus was amazed (marveled) three times… by the faith of this centurion and in Mark 6:6 by the unbelief of the Jews.
- Matthew recorded two “Gentile” miracles: this one, and the healing of the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman (Matt. 15:21–28).
- In both cases, the Lord was impressed with their great faith.
- This is an early indication that the Jews would not believe, but the Gentiles would.
- Also, in both of these miracles, our Lord healed from a distance.
- This was a reminder of the spiritual position of the Gentiles “afar off”[3]
11 I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
- In reference to the many Gentiles that will come to faith in Jesus as the Jews forefathers believed in the Messiah to come.
12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
- In reference to the Great White Throne judgment for all non-believers.
13 Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was cured that very moment.[4]
Luke 7:1-10 – 1 When He had concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion’s slave, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and save the life of his slave. 4 When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.” 6 Jesus went with them, and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell Him, “Lord, don’t trouble Yourself, since I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. 7 That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be cured. c8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
9 Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel!” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. [5]
Luke 7:11-17 - 11 Soon afterward He was on His way to a town called Nain.
- Map
- 20-25 miles SW of Capernaum
- 8.6 miles SE of Nazareth
His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with Him. 12 Just as He neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out.
- They buried the dead outside the city walls for the sake of ritual cleanliness.
He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow.
- No means to provide for her.
A large crowd from the city was also with her.
- 2 different crowds – Those pursuing Jesus and those carrying a dead man.
- 2 only sons meet.
13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then He came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And He said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!”
15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Then fear came over everyone, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited His people.”
- Prophet… not Messiah.
17 This report about Him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity. [6]
Matthew 11:2-19 – 2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples 3 and asked Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. 6 And if anyone is not offended because of Me, he is blessed.”
7 As these men went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Look, those who wear soft clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 10 This is the one it is written about:
Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You;
he will prepare Your way before You. w
11 “I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John; 14 if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come. 15 Anyone who has ears should listen!
16 “To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to each other:
17 We played the flute for you,
but you didn’t dance;
we sang a lament,
but you didn’t mourn!
18 For John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”[7]
Luke 7:18-35 - 18 Then John’s disciples told him about all these things.
- John was in prison for speaking out against King Herod.
So John summoned two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?”
20 When the men reached Him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask You, ‘Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?’ ”
- Is this John’s doubt or John’s spurring or John’s moaning because he came to set the captives free and John is still sitting in prison?
21 At that time Jesus healed many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and He granted sight to many blind people. 22 He replied to them, “Go and report to John the things you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. 23 And anyone who is not offended because of Me is blessed.”
24 After John’s messengers left, He began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft robes? Look, those who are splendidly dressed and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 27 This is the one it is written about:
Look, I am sending My messenger
ahead of You;
he will prepare Your way before You. b
28 I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
- Jesus says John is the greatest Old Testament believer.
-But then says even the least of those in the kingdom of God are greater than John the Baptist.
29 (And when all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s way of righteousness, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. 30 But since the Pharisees and experts in the law had not been baptized by him, they rejected the plan of God for themselves. )
31 “To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to each other:
We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t weep!
33 For John the Baptist did not come eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” [8]
- a teaching is shown to be wise based on what it produces[9]
[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 33). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 33). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 33). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 8:5–13). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Lk 7:1–10). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Lk 7:11–17). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 11:2–19). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Lk 7:18–35). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Lk 7:35). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
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