1.
And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
Into Capernaum - See the notes at Matthew 4:13.
After some days - The number of days is not known. Jesus probably remained long enough in the desert to heal the sick who were brought to him, and to give instructions to the multitudes who attended his preaching. Capernaum was not “the city” mentioned in Mark 1:45, and it is probable that there was no difficulty in his remaining there and preaching.
And it was noised ... - He entered the city, doubtless, privately; but his being there was soon known, and so great had his popularity become that multitudes pressed to hear him.
2.
And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
So much as about the door - In the “court” or “yard” before the door. They could not get near enough to hear him.
Preached the word unto them - The word of God; the revelation or doctrine which he came to deliver, called “the Word,” and “the Word of God,” because it was spoken or revealed by God. Compare Acts 6:2-7.
3.
And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4.
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6.
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7.
Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
8.
And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
9.
Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
10.
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11.
I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12.
And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
13.
And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.
By the sea-side - That is, by the Sea of Tiberias, on the shore of which Capernaum was situated. See the notes at Matthew 4:13.
14.
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
Levi, the son of Alpheus - The same, undoubtedly, as “Matthew,” the writer of the gospel which bears his name. It was not uncommon among the Jews to have two names.
The receipt of custom - See the notes at Matthew 9:9.
15.
And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
Sat at meat in the house - The words “at meat” are not in the original. The phrase means “as he reclined at his meal,” or “as he was eating.” This feast was made by Matthew in honor of the Saviour. See Luke 5:29.
Publicans - See the notes at Matthew 5:47.
Sinners - Sinners of abandoned character - of the same character that publicans commonly sustained - fit companions of publicans - great sinners.
There were many - That is, many “disciples.” Their following him, leaving their homes, and going with him from place to place, was proof of their attachment to him. There is no doubt that our Saviour, in the early part of his ministry, was extremely popular. Multitudes of the common people attended him, and gave conclusive evidence that they were his real disciples, and it was only after much opposition from the rich and the great that he ever became unpopular among the people. Perhaps no preacher has ever attracted so universal attention, and produced so decisive effects upon mankind, as did our Lord in his personal ministry.
16.
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
17.
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
18.
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast - Were accustomed often to fast. Compare Luke 5:33; Luke 18:12.
And they come and say - The disciples of John come, Matthew 9:4.
19.
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
20.
But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
21.
No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
22.
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
23.
And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
24.
And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
25.
And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?
26.
How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
27.
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
28.
Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.