THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Robert Bobo & David Dycus

Lesson 8 Chapters 11 & 12

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

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

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

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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

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LESSON OVERVIEW

• Chapters 11 & 12 \ Context and Perspective

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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?

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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

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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

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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)

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

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• “The Great Invitation” from Jesus the Christ

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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?

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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

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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

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• 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

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

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MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

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

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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?

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MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

• The Sign of Jonah vs. 38-42

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MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

• Return of an Unclean Spirit vs. 43-45

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MATTHEW CHAPTER 12

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

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