Matthew
Qualifications for The Twelve Apostles
Right after Jesus’ injunction to ask for laborers we find the twelve apostles listed (vv. 1-5). The qualifications for being an apostle were as follows:
1. Must have seen the risen Christ (1st Corinthians 9:1) …
Wise Men from The East Come to Worship Jesus
“Herod the king” mentioned here was known as Herod the Great (v. 1), whose family though nominally Jewish, was an Edomite who became king with Rome’s help. It is no surprise that he was disturbed when the wise men came to Jerusalem looking for the one who had been “born king” …
What is The Unpardonable Sin
These next verses have been referred to as the unpardonable sin. The big question is: Can it be committed today, and if so, how? First of all, Jesus made it clear that all sins can be forgiven (v. 31). Then what is blasphemy? It has been defined as intentionally speaking evil against the Holy …
Ministry in the Synagogues
The Sea of Galilee is an oval shaped body of water approximately eight miles wide and thirteen miles long. Historians tell us that in the first century some 240 boats regularly fished in its waters. It was here that Jesus publicly called His first two disciples Peter and An …
The Teaching of Ancestors
The Scribes and Pharisees joined forces and sent a delegation from Jerusalem to Galilee to investigate the ministry and teachings of Jesus and His disciples (v. 1). These religious leaders accused them of failing to observe the ceremonial washing of hands before eating (v. 2). This had …
Preaching Teaching and Healing
The Pharisees left their interaction with Jesus planning to kill Him (v. 14). Being aware of their plans, Jesus withdrew from that place (v. 15). As he left the synagogue, many followed Him and “He healed them all” (v. 15). After He healed them, Jesus asked that they not tell anyone who He …
How Many Times Should We Forgive?
Peter asked the Lord how many times he should forgive someone who did something to wrong him (v. 21). He asked if 7 times was enough and the Lord said, “not just 7 times but 77 times (v. 22).” Then a story was told about a king who called his officials in and asked them to pay what …
The Traditions of Judaism
The disciples of John the Baptist questioned Jesus as to why He and His disciples were not fasting as they and the Pharisees were doing (vv. 14-15)? Jesus compared His conduct to that of a King having a wedding banquet. He said that at a wedding people are happy and eating and not mourning …
What Really Makes People Unclean
Jesus called the crowd together and asked them to listen and try to understand what He had to share with them (v. 10). He told them that it was not the type of food they put in their mouth that made them unclean and unfit to worship God (v. 11). Instead, it was the words that came out of …
Jesus is Buried in a Borrowed Tomb
If it hadn’t of been for Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (John 19:38) Jesus might not have had a decent burial (vv. 57-61). Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin but had not agreed with their decision to crucify Jesus (Luke 23:51). Since Joseph was a rich man, he had prepared th …