1 of 18

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Robert Bobo & David Dycus

Lesson 8 Chapters 11 & 12

2 of 18

REVIEW & READING ASSIGNMENTS

  • Lessons 1-6, Chapters 1-10
    • Matthew the Man, Levi the Tax Collector, Radical Life Changes, Target Audience, Extensive use of OT prophesy and fulfillment
    • Jesus’ authority/legal qualification to be the Messiah shown through his genealogy, his virgin birth, and protection from Herod
    • John the Baptist, Jesus’ baptism and God’s attestation, perfect response to temptation
    • Sermon on the Mount – teaching as one with authority
    • 10 Miracles to show Jesus’ deity and authority demonstrating his power through his deeds
    • Jesus calls and sends the 12 out as laborers, in ministry
        • Sent first to the lost sheep of Israel
        • Instructed on how to act, not to profit, warned of persecution, expect division (of families), and of rewards

  • Lesson 7, Chapter 11
    • negative responses to Jesus of doubt, criticism, indifference, followed by a positive appeal to faith

  • Reading for next week
  • April 3 – Matt. 13

3 of 18

LESSON OVERVIEW

  • Chapters 11 & 12
  • Matthew has spent the early chapters trying to convince folks, with evidence, who Jesus is; the Christ, the Messiah, King of kings, Savior of the world
    • Now the focus shifts to reactions of the various individuals and groups to the ministry of Jesus and his disciples
    • Chapter 11 shows negative responses of doubt, criticism, indifference, followed by a positive appeal to faith
    • Chapter 12 looks at negative responses of rejection, amazement, blasphemy, and curious fascination, followed by another positive appeal to faith
  • Chapter 12 actually marks somewhat of a turning point in Jesus’ ministry with rejection by his own people

4 of 18

LESSON OVERVIEW

  • Chapters 11 & 12 \ Context and Perspective

5 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 11

  • The Twelve Apostles vs. 1-19
    • What is going on with John the Baptist here?
        • Is John doubting that Jesus is the One?
        • He preached of the kingdom and the king coming; he baptized Jesus the King;
          • Did he witness (see and hear) God descend like a dove to rest on Jesus and say “this is my son…”?
    • Think from his current perspective for a moment
        • John is in prison (should he expect Jesus to get him out?)
        • He preached the end of an age and a new kingdom (not what he was expecting for a kingdom?)
        • Jesus did not overtake the Roman government as many might have expected from this new King
        • Should there have been a public, legal proclamation that Jesus was the Messiah?

6 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 11

  • The Twelve Apostles vs. 1-19 (contd.)
    • Jesus tells John’s disciples to go tell John what you hear and see v.4
      • Healing, cleansing, raising the dead, good news preached
    • Jesus then speaks to the crowds v.7
      • What does Jesus tell them?
        • He asks a question
        • 3 times; the same question … with different minimizing, rhetorical possibilities
      • John is more than a prophet vs. 9-19
        • No one born of women greater than John
          • Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he

7 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 11

  • Woe to Unrepentant Cities vs. 20-24
    • Jesus denounces cities where most of his mighty works were done
    • Chorazin only mentioned here in Matthew and no real mention of his specific works there
    • All 3 cities mentioned were within 3-4 miles of each other
      • Prosperous and populous
      • Peter and Andrew from Bethsaida
      • Jesus was a resident of Capernaum
      • Judgement compared to Tyre, Sidon and even Sodom

8 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 11

  • Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest vs. 25-30
    • Jesus thanks God the Father for revealing His will to the children (humble) rather than the wise and understanding (arrogant)

    • There is no other way to know God except through Christ

    • “The Great Invitation” from Jesus the Christ

9 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

  • Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath vs. 1-8
      • The First Sabbath Controversy – Picking Grain
      • Who is picking the grain?
        • Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.
      • Does Jesus give simple, straight fwd answer?
        • ‘Have you not read…?’ asked more than once
        • Jesus gives 4 arguments to justify their behavior
          • v.3 David and those with ate the Bread of the Presence
          • v.5 Priests profane the Sabbath and are guiltless
          • v.7 If you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’ you would not condemn
          • v.8 Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath
            • Acting under authority of the Master
      • ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice’
        • We have heard this before in Matthew 9:13 where Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners and was challenged by Pharisees
        • Thoughts?

10 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

  • A Man with a Withered Hand vs. 9-14
    • The Second Sabbath Controversy – Restoring a Withered Hand
    • Luke 6:6 says ‘on another Sabbath’
    • Obviously posed a bit of a trap. Jesus knew the Pharisees thoughts
    • Does Jesus give a short, straight, direct answer?
      • Does he challenge the law?
      • He makes more of a ‘common sense’ appeal with an example they could relate to – doing good
      • A man is more valuable than a sheep so do good on the Sabbath
      • Having established the good deed was proper, he healed the man
        • Complete and immediate healing

11 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

  • God’s Chosen Servant vs. 15-21
    • Jesus Withdraws From Potential Hostility
    • Jesus knew it wasn’t yet time for the confrontation that could end his ministry
      • He withdrew and told those that he healed not to make him known
    • Reference to Isaiah 42:1-4

    • Jesus, though powerful in word and deed, was not of the worldly notion of power and conquer or defeat
      • His message was more of servanthood through humility and meekness, gentleness
      • He would be successful and victorious

12 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

  • Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit vs. 22-32
    • Jesus heals a demon possessed man who was blind and mute
      • The man was brought to Jesus
      • Jesus healed the man so that he spoke and saw
    • Doubt from people about Jesus being the ‘Son of David’
    • Public accusation by the Pharisees that Jesus cast out demons by the authority of Beelzebul, prince of demons v.24 (Satan?)
      • No question about Jesus ability to cast out demons; only by what authority
      • No kingdom, city, or house can stand while divided against itself
        • Satan to cast out Satan would not support his own kingdom
    • V. 30 ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters’
      • Clear line is drawn

13 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

  • Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit vs. 22-32
    • v.31 ‘… blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.’
        • Discussion

14 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

  • A Tree is Known by It’s Fruit vs. 33-37
    • Jesus continues with the ‘drawn line’ of good vs. evil as being for him or against him
    • A tree is known by it’s fruit
      • Can’t truly speak good out of a heart of evil
    • Are our words the fruit of our heart?
    • Jesus clearly says that people (or all men) will give account for every careless word that we speak
      • Thoughts?

15 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

  • The Sign of Jonah vs. 38-42

16 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

  • Return of an Unclean Spirit vs. 43-45

17 of 18

MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

  • Jesus’s Mother and Brothers vs. 46-50

18 of 18