Matthew
The Pharisaical Religion
This was our Lord’s last public message which was directed especially to the Pharisees. It is said that there were about 6,000 Pharisees in that day and most of them were middle class businessmen. The name Pharisee came from a word that means “to separate†and the Phari …
Religious Opposition to Christ’s Followers
Jesus spelled out that living for Him would not be easy and that it would be like sheep living among wolves (v. 16). The words of the Lord had application in His own lifetime and was certainly demonstrated in the lives of the Apostles after Jesus had ascended into heaven. It seems that the …
The Parable of the Wheat & the Weeds
Jesus told a second parable about a farmer sowing wheat in his field (vv. 24-30). Later in the chapter (vv. 36-43) Jesus explained the meaning of the parable to the disciples. The Kingdom of heaven is like a farmer (Jesus) who sows good seed (believers) in a field (the world). But in the …
Jesus Puts a Curse on a Fig Tree
Jesus began to drive the money changers out of the temple and the blind and lame came to him to be healed (vv. 12-14) The priests and religious leaders saw His miracles and were indignant (vv. 15-16). God desires that His name be honored and that His people be treated well (v. 12). He then …
Doubting of John The Baptist
1. Obvious doubt. (vv. 1-3) “After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or …
The Wise And Foolish Stewards
Jesus tells the story of a master with three servants. The master went on a long journey and gave each servant talents of money which were distributed according to each person’s ability (vv. 14-15). These talents were worth a minimum of $1,000 each (about 20 years wages) in those …
Passover With The Disciples
Most Bible scholars believe that the events recorded in this passage took place on Thursday of Passion week. This was the first day of the seven-day Feast of the Unleavened bread and the day Passover lambs were sacrificed (Mark 14:12). It was necessary for Jesus and His disciples …
Judas Plot to Betray Jesus
Jesus reminded the disciples that the Passover feast was only two days away and that He would be handed over to be crucified (vv. 1-2). He had an exact timetable for accomplishing his purposes. This was demonstrated by His announcement of the time of His betrayal. The feast of th …
Judas Hangs Himself
Since Jewish law required trials to be conducted during the day, the chief priests and elders reconvened in the morning and delivered the official verdict against Jesus, so that the people could not say that their hastily – called night meeting was unlawful (v. 1). The court deci …
The Roman Soldiers’ Lie
While the women were running to find the disciples and tell them that Jesus had resurrected from the dead, another group was plotting to destroy the truth of the resurrection (vv. 11-12). By now the soldiers who had been guarding the tomb realized that they were in deep trouble. …