Thematic Bible




Matthew 9:1 (show verse)

Then Jesus entered a boat and crossed [back] over [Lake Galilee] and came to His own city [i.e., Capernaum].

Matthew 9:2 (show verse)

[Upon His arrival] they brought to Him a man afflicted with a paralytic disease, [being carried on his cot. See Mark 2:3]. When Jesus saw [the evidence of] their faith [i.e., the man's four friends breaking open the roof and lowering him through it. See Mark 2:4-5], He said to the paralytic, "Son, cheer up, your sins are forgiven."

Matthew 9:3 (show verse)

Seeing this, certain experts in the law of Moses said to themselves, "This man is speaking against God."

Matthew 9:4 (show verse)

Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus said, "Why are you having such evil thoughts in your minds?

Matthew 9:5 (show verse)

For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or [to say] 'Get up and walk?'

Matthew 9:6 (show verse)

But in order that you may know that the Son of man has authority to forgive people's sins on earth, (then He said to the man afflicted with paralysis), 'Get up, pick up your cot and go home.'"

Matthew 9:7 (show verse)

So, the man got up and went home.

Matthew 9:8 (show verse)

But when the large crowds saw [what had happened], they were filled with deep reverence and gave honor to God for giving such authority to men.

Matthew 9:9 (show verse)

As Jesus moved on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth [i.e., collecting taxes]. He said to him, "Become my follower." And he got up and followed Him.

Matthew 9:10 (show verse)

And so it happened, as Jesus was having a meal at Matthew's house, a number of [other] tax collectors and worldly people came to sit down with Him and His disciples.

Matthew 9:11 (show verse)

And when the Pharisees saw this they said to His disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and worldly people?"

Matthew 9:12 (show verse)

When Jesus heard this, He said, "People who are healthy do not need a doctor; but [only] sick people do.

Matthew 9:13 (show verse)

Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not [only] sacrifice.' For I did not come to call righteous people [to be my followers] but sinners."

Matthew 9:14 (show verse)

Some of John's disciples came to Jesus saying, "Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast frequently [i.e., going without food and/or drink for religious reasons], but your disciples do not fast [at all]?"

Matthew 9:15 (show verse)

Jesus said to them, "Can the groomsmen act sadly while the groom is still with them? But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Matthew 9:16 (show verse)

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth onto an old garment; for what was intended to cover up [the hole] actually tears away [part of] the garment [i.e., when it shrinks], causing a bigger hole.

Matthew 9:17 (show verse)

Also, people do not put freshly squeezed grape juice into bottles made of previously used animal skins. If they did, the [old dried-out] animal skins would break open and the grape juice would [all] leak out, and the animal skins would become useless. But people put freshly squeezed grape juice into newly prepared animal skin bottles. That way both of them will survive."

Matthew 9:18 (show verse)

While Jesus spoke these things, a leader [of the Jewish synagogue, named Jairus. See Mark 5:22-43] came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but if you come and place your hand on her, she will live [again]."

Matthew 9:19 (show verse)

So, Jesus got up and, along with His disciples, followed the man.

Matthew 9:20 (show verse)

But just then a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the edge of His robe.

Matthew 9:21 (show verse)

For she had said to herself, "If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed."

Matthew 9:22 (show verse)

When Jesus turned and saw her, He said, "Take courage, daughter, your faith has made you well." And the woman was healed that [very] moment.

Matthew 9:23 (show verse)

When Jesus went into the leader [of the synagogue's] house, He saw musicians [playing a funeral dirge] and the crowd carrying on [in mournful wails].

Matthew 9:24 (show verse)

He said, "Stand back, for the young lady is not [permanently] dead, but [rather] is sleeping." And the people laughed at Him scornfully.

Matthew 9:25 (show verse)

But after the crowd was sent outside, Jesus entered [her room, along with her parents and three of His disciples. See Mark 5:37-40] and took her by the hand, and the young lady rose up [from the dead].

Matthew 9:26 (show verse)

And the report of this incident spread all over the district.

Matthew 9:27 (show verse)

Now as Jesus moved on from there, two blind men followed Him [i.e., probably being led by sighted persons]. They were shouting, "Have pity on us, son of David!"

Matthew 9:28 (show verse)

And when He had entered the house [i.e., probably a friend's house there in Capernaum. See 8:20], the blind men came in [after Him]. Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do what you are asking?" They replied, "Yes, Lord."

Matthew 9:29 (show verse)

Then He touched their eyes and said, "Let what you expect be done for you."

Matthew 9:30 (show verse)

And [immediately] they were able to see. Jesus then strongly urged them, saying, "Make sure that no one knows [what I have done for you]."

Matthew 9:31 (show verse)

But [instead], they went all over the district telling people about Him.

Matthew 9:32 (show verse)

As they went on their way a deaf-mute, dominated by an evil spirit, was brought to Jesus.

Matthew 9:33 (show verse)

When the evil spirit was driven out [by Jesus] the [former] deaf-mute began to speak, and the crowds marveled, saying, "No one in Israel has ever seen this done before."

Matthew 9:34 (show verse)

But the Pharisees said, "He is driving out evil spirits by [the power of] the chief of evil spirits."

Matthew 9:35 (show verse)

Jesus traveled throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the [coming] kingdom and healing all kinds of diseases and illnesses.

Matthew 9:36 (show verse)

But when He saw the large crowds He felt compassion for them because they were distressed and disoriented like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:37 (show verse)

Then He said to His disciples, "Certainly there is plenty to harvest but there are [too] few people to do the work."

Matthew 9:38 (show verse)

"You should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send [more] workers out into the field to gather His crop."