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Brief Studies in Matthew Chapters 15-20




MATTHEW CHAPTER 15
 

Verses 1-20
Have you ever heard someone say that you should be gentle with those in error?  Read Jesus’ response here and you will see Our Perfect Example not being gentle.

Christ is obviously talking of their unwritten laws here that they have added to the law.  Verse 3, it was a tradition.  They were trying to bind tradition on to believers.  This is a direct conflict with: 

KJV Revelation 22:18-19
 18.  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
 19.  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

KJV Numbers 24:12-13
 12.  And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
 13.  If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak?

KJV Deuteronomy 18:17-22
 17.  And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
 18.  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
 19.  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
 20.  But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
 21.  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?
22. When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it 
23. presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
 
 

Verse 4
Honor thy mother and father.

KJV Exodus 20:12
12.  Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

KJV Leviticus 19:3
3. Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

Verse 7-9 The Prophecy of Isaiah

KJV Isaiah 29:13
3. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

This is what we see in Shellyism, and all doctrines that are of men.

KJV Colossians 2:18-22
 18.  Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
 19.  And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
 20.  Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
 21.  (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22. Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

KJV Titus 1:14-16
14  Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

MANS WAY LEADS TO DEATH
KJV Proverbs 14:12
12. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Verse 14 Blind leading the blind

Verse 15-20 Christ is asked to explain.  Christ says murder and such will destroy but unclean hands will not.

Verses 21-28
The Canaanite women’s daughter is healed of demonic possession.  This is interesting, as it is I believe the only account of Christ going outside of the boundaries of Palestine.
Her faith is what made this happen.

Verse 29-31 Many people are healed.

Verses 32-39
Again there are people fed from little food 4,000.

MATTHEW CHAPTER 16
 

Verses 1-12

The Pharisees and the Sadducees tried to tempt Christ by asking him to perform a sign from Heaven.

Christ said that the sign they would receive would be in his resurrection.
KJV Matthew 12:38-40
 38.  Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
 39.  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40. For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

ACCOUNT OF THE RESSURECTION
READ LUKE CHAPTER 24  -   VERSE 46 APPLIES THE 3RD DAY
 

THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES VERSE 6 AND 11-12
KJV Luke 12:1
1. In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

The disciples thought that Christ was upset with them not having bread but this was not the case.

Verses 13-20 the  question from Christ to his disciples affirming he is the son of God and that the Church is founded on Christ.

KJV Ephesians 2:20
20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Verses 21-28 Christ states his death and Peter is rebuked for protesting this.
 

MATTHEW CHAPTER 17
 

Verses 1-13 Christ is transfigured

The inner circle is present – Peter, James, and John.

2 OTHER EXAMPLES OF THE INNER THREE
KJV Matthew 26:36-38
 36.  Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
 37.  And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

KJV Luke 8:49-56
49.  While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
 50.  But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
 51.  And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
 52.  And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
 53.  And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
 54.  And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
 55.  And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
 56.  And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

PETER LATER ACCOUNTS OF THIS

KJV 2 Peter 1:16-18
16.  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
 17.  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
 18.  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

IN VERSE TEN THE DISCIPLES ASK WHY ELIJAH MUST COME FIRST.
CHRIST ANSWERS WITH A REFERENCE:
 

KJV Malachi 4:5-6
 5.  Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
 6.  And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
 

Verses 14-23

READ HEBREWS CHAPTER 11 TO SEE ALL THAT FAITH HAS DONE!

Verses 24-27
Here we have the question of the tribute of money.  Taxes were to be paid here and this fish would have a coin that would pay for both Peter and Christ’s taxes.  Christ obeyed the laws according to taxes.
 
 
 

MATTHEW CHAPTER 18

Verses 1-5
Who is the greatest of the Kingdom of Heaven?  Those that are most like children.  Does this approve child baptism by stating to become converted and be as little children?
NO!

Let us look at passages that teach us how exact the Bible is in this subject.  First question that has to be posed is:If a child is converted how is they’re faith come?
Hearing is by:
KJV John 8:32
32.  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

KJV John 6:45
45.  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

KJV Romans 10:14-17
14.  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
 15.  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
 16.  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
 17.  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

KJV James 1:22-23
 22.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
 23.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

KJV Revelation 1:3
3.  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
 
 

BELIEVING?
KJV Hebrews 11:6
6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

REPENT OF WHAT?
KJV Acts 26:20
20. But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

HOW WOULD A BABY CONFESS CHRIST?

KJV Romans 10:10
 10.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

KJV Matthew 10:32-33
32.  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

BAPTIZED TO REMIT WHAT SINS?

KJV Ezekiel 18:18-20
 18.  As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.
 19.  Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
20. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Verses 6-10
To those that would cause division on those that believe then he would rather enter Heaven with the offensive parts of himself then Hell whole in his body!

Verses 11-20
The lost sheep is discussed.  A brother that causes offense, and how to handle such a brother.  Go to him before withdrawing fellowship.

KJV Romans 16:17-18
17.  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

PUT NO STUMBLING BLOCKS BEFORE YOUR BROTHER
KJV Romans 14:13
 13.  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
 

MATTHEW CHAPTER 19

Verses 1-12

As we have spoken several times on this subject very little time will be spent on it this time.  Christ here teaches that one should remain married throughout a marriage unless for fornication.  This teaching is not challenged at all throughout the New Testament.  God’s tolerance for such things contrary to his will had often occurred during the Old Law times, yet God commands all now to repent.

KJV Acts 17:30-31
30.  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Verses 13-15
A child is an example how we ought to be in heart.
KJV Matthew 18:3-4
 3.  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Verses 16-24

Greed and money will not have Heaven.

Christ gives him some commandments from the Old Law.
V 17-19
Read Exodus 20:1-20  (Ten Commandments)

If thou be perfect go and sell all, and follow me!!  Verse 21

THEY GAVE THOSE THINGS THEY SOLD, PUTTING CHRIST FIRST
KJV Acts 2:40-47
 40.  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
 41.  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
 42.  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
 43.  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
 44.  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
 45.  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
 46.  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
 47.  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

THOSE THAT FOLLOWED SOLD THEIR POSSESIONS
KJV Acts 4:34-35
 34.  Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35. And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

THOSE THINGS WE GAIN ARE A LOSS TO CHRIST
KJV Philippians 3:6-7
 6.  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
 

KJV 1 Timothy 6:9-12
.  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
 10.  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
 11.  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Verses 24-30

Christ states that it is more likely for the impossible event of a camel passing through the eye of a needle than that of a rich man entering Heaven.

V 25 the disciples are in awe asking then how does one get to Heaven.

Christ answers that with God all things are possible, yet with men it is impossible.  V 26
KJV Jeremiah 32:17
17. Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Christ tells them that those things they have given up will be made right with them in the final day!
 
 
 

MATTHEW CHAPTER 20

Verses 1-16: Workers in the vineyard.

The reward for those that labor in the Kingdom long is the same as those whom come at the last hours!

THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW GOD IS THROUGH CHRIST THE HOUSEHOLDER
KJV Matthew 11:27-30
 27.  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
 28.  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
 29.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
 30.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

CHRIST HAS ALL AUTHORITY
KJV John 5:27
 27.  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

WE ARE OF CHRIST HOUSE
KJV Hebrews 3:6
6. But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

CHRIST IS THE WAY AND THE TRUTH
KJV John 14:6
6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

NOT ONLY MUST WE WORK OUR TIMES BUT ACCORDING TO OUR TALENTS
KJV Matthew 25:14-30
14.  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
 15.  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
 16.  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
 17.  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
 18.  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
 19.  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
 20.  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
 21.  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
 22.  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
 23.  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
 24.  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
 25.  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
 26.  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
 27.  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
 28.  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
 29.  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Verses 17-19
Christ again tells his disciples of his death and resurrection.  This is the third time with the first to being found in the following passages.

KJV Matthew 16:21
 21.  From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

KJV Matthew 17:22-23
22.  And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
23. And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

Verses 20-28
The mother of the sons of Zebedee ask that her two children have a spot on the right and left side of the throne!
The sons of Zebedee are James and John 
KJV Matthew 4:21
21. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
KJV Matthew 18:1-4
1.  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
 2.  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
 3.  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

CHRIST WAS MADE HUMBLE AND IS NOT AN EARTHLY GLORIFIED KING
KJV Psalms 8:1-9
 1.  O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
 2.  Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
 3.  When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
 4.  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
 5.  For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
 6.  Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
 7.  All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
 8.  The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
 9.  O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

KJV Hebrews 2:7-9
 7.  Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
 8.  Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
9. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
 

Verses 30-34

Again to are healed.  The reference to Christ as the Son of David again is made as it was in an earlier example of a healing request.
KJV Matthew 9:27-30
 27.  And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
 28.  And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
 29.  Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
30. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
 
 
 
 
 

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