Matthew Chapter 9 – Commentary and Explanation (Bible Study)
Matthew chapter 9 is a wonderful chapter, a full chapter of action, healing, teaching, calling, mercy, and also confrontations with religious leaders. When you read it slowly, you can almost feel the scenes happening in front of your eyes. Jesus is not only speaking in this chapter, but he is moving, walking through towns, entering houses, touching lives, changing destinies. And Matthew, who himself was called in this chapter, writes down with clear memory the way his own life was transformed.
This study will go step by step through the verses, mixing commentary, some explanation, and also reflections. It is not a perfect writing, you will find some sentences long, some short, sometimes a bit rough in grammar, but I believe that is okay because truth and passion is more important than polish.
Forgiveness and Healing of the Paralytic (Matthew 9:1–8)
The chapter begins with Jesus crossing over and coming into His own town. People bring to Him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a mat. Right away, Jesus doesn’t only see the sickness, He sees the faith of the friends. That is very touching. Faith is visible to Jesus even if it is not expressed in words.
Instead of saying “Get up and walk,” the first words of Jesus are shocking: “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” This made the teachers of the law angry in their hearts. They thought Jesus was blaspheming because only God can forgive sins. But that is the point—Jesus is showing that He is indeed God in flesh.
When He perceives their thoughts, He challenges them: “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” Then to prove His authority, He heals the man instantly.
The crowd is filled with awe and they praise God. Notice: Matthew writes that people glorified God, not just admired Jesus. Because real miracles point upward.
For us today, this story teaches two things: First, forgiveness is the greatest healing. Many times we want only physical healing but Jesus knows we need spiritual healing most. Second, faith of others can bring blessings to someone. The paralytic’s healing came because his friends brought him. So never underestimate praying and interceding for others.
The Calling of Matthew (Matthew 9:9–13)
Now comes a very personal passage. Matthew himself, the writer, was a tax collector sitting at the booth. Jesus simply said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed. It sounds so simple, but it was life changing. Tax collectors were hated, seen as traitors, greedy, and unclean. Yet Jesus called him.
Later Jesus eats at Matthew’s house with many tax collectors and sinners. This makes the Pharisees angry. They ask His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus overhears and replies with one of the most famous lines: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
This is beautiful gospel truth. Jesus does not come for those who think they are already good, He comes for the broken, the despised, the ones society rejects.
Matthew must have remembered this with tears in his eyes when writing. It was his own story. He was that sinner, but Jesus sat at his table.
Application: Don’t think you are too far away for Jesus to call you. And also, don’t despise people you think are unworthy—Jesus loves them too.
Question About Fasting (Matthew 9:14–17)
Then John’s disciples come with a question. They ask, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answers with an image of a wedding. He says, when the bridegroom is with them, the guests cannot mourn. But the time will come when He will be taken away, then they will fast.
He also gives two short parables: new cloth on old garment, new wine in old wineskins. Both teach that His way is new and cannot be forced into old traditions.
This shows us that Christianity is not just an addition to old religion, it is a new covenant, a new life. Jesus is the bridegroom, and relationship with Him brings joy, not just ritual.
A Dead Girl Raised and a Sick Woman Healed (Matthew 9:18–26)
While Jesus is talking, a synagogue leader comes and kneels, saying, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” What faith! Most would not bother Jesus after death, but this man believes Jesus’ touch can overcome even death.
On the way, another story happens. A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years comes behind Jesus and touches the edge of His cloak. She believes, “If I only touch His cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turns, sees her, and says, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.” Immediately she is healed.
Both miracles are together for a reason. One person is healed privately, almost secretly. Another is raised publicly from death. Both show that Jesus has authority over disease and even death.
Matthew records that the news spread all over the region. Who wouldn’t talk about it?
Jesus Heals the Blind and the Mute (Matthew 9:27–34)
Next, two blind men follow Jesus, crying, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” That title is messianic, they recognize Him as the promised King. Jesus asks if they believe He can do it. When they say yes, He touches their eyes and they are healed. But He warns them not to tell anyone. Of course, they spread the news everywhere.
Then a man who was mute because of a demon is brought. Jesus drives out the demon, the man speaks, and the crowd is amazed. But the Pharisees twist it, saying, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
This shows how hard hearts can be. Even when miracle is obvious, some refuse to believe.
The Compassion of Jesus (Matthew 9:35–38)
The chapter closes with a beautiful summary. Jesus goes through towns and villages, teaching, proclaiming the good news, healing every disease and sickness. When He sees the crowds, He has compassion. They are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Then He tells His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field.”
This is not only history, it is a call for today. Still the harvest is plenty, still the workers are few. We need to pray for laborers and also be ready ourselves to go.
Reflection and Lessons from Matthew 9
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Faith is visible – not always in words, but in action like friends carrying the paralytic.
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Forgiveness is deeper than healing – Jesus gives what we need most.
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Jesus calls the unlikely – Matthew the tax collector became an apostle.
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Joy of the Bridegroom – Christianity is not empty ritual but relationship with Jesus.
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Power over disease and death – Jesus heals bleeding, blindness, muteness, and even raises the dead.
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Compassion moves Him – He sees people’s pain and responds.
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Harvest is ready – mission is urgent, prayer is needed.
Now, this chapter is like a portrait of Jesus. Not only power, but mercy. Not only miracles, but teaching. Not only authority, but compassion.
When we study it, we should not only admire but also follow. Matthew left his tax booth, the woman reached out in faith, the father believed for his daughter, the blind men called Him Son of David. What about us?
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