Matthew 9 · The Lantern

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

And having climbed into a boat, He passed over and came to His own city.

Mystically; When driven out of Judæa, He returns into His own city; the city of God is the people of the faithful; into this He entered by a boat, that is, the Church.

(De Cons. Ev. ii. 25.) That Matthew here speaks of his own city, and Mark calls it Capharnaum, would be more difficult to be reconciled if Matthew had expressed it Nazareth. But as it is, all Galilee might be called Christ's city, because Nazareth was in Galilee; just as all the Roman empire, divided into many states, was still called the Roman city.

The miracles recounted above were against temporal dangers; here he mentions ones against spiritual dangers. He does two things: first, he shows how he helps those who come to him; secondly, how he searches out those he heals (v. 35). In regard to the first: first, he presents the remedy against sin; secondly, against death (v. 18).

And behold, they were bringing to Him a paralytic lain down on a bed. And Jesus, having seen their faith, said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”

In this paralytic the whole Gentile world is offered for healing, he is therefore brought by the ministration of Angels; he is called Son, because he is God's work; the sins of his soul which the Law could not remit are remitted him; for faith only justifies.

Note in this regard, my brothers, that God does not inquire into the wants of those who are deliriously ill. He does not wait to see the faith of the ignorant or probe the senseless wishes of the sick. Yet he does not refuse to help the faith of another, so that by grace alone he confers whatever is proper of the divine will.

They brought a paralytic. Here is suggested the devotion of those who brought him; hence in Mark (2:4) it says that because they could not get near him, they let him down through the opened roof. This paralytic signifies the sinner lying in sin; hence, as the paralytic cannot move himself, so neither the sinner.

And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes!”

Upon their murmuring, then, and saying, "This man blasphemeth; who can forgive sins but God only?" let us see what He saith. Did He indeed take away the suspicion? And yet if He were not equal, He should have said, "Why fix upon me a notion which is not convenient?

"And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For which is easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?" By knowing their thoughts, Jesus shows that He is God.

Then he mentions the complaint against the favor. He says, therefore, Some of the scribes said within themselves, "This man is blaspheming." Why? Because they saw the man and did not see God.

And Jesus, seeing their thoughts, said, “So why do you think evil in your hearts?

The Lord Himself, in short, when rebuking our thoughts, includes in His censures this aspect of the flesh, (man's heart), the citadel of the soul: "Why think ye evil in your hearts? " and again: "Whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart.

[Daniel 2:28] "But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries." Therefore it is only in vain that thou inquirest (other MSS have: "that he inquire") of men as to something which is known only to God in heaven. Also, by indirectly drawing Nebuchadnezzar away from the worship of many gods, Daniel directs him to the knowledge of the one (true) God.

Knowing their thoughts, because he alone knows man's thoughts. First, he reprehends their villainy: Why do you think evil thoughts in your hearts? For they called him a blasphemer: "Remove the evil from your thoughts" (Is 1:16).

For which is easier — to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?

And whereas, when He spake unto the sick of the palsy, He spake without clearly manifesting His own authority: for He said not, "I forgive thee thy sins," but, "thy sins be forgiven thee:" upon their constraining, He discloses His authority more clearly, saying, "But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins." Seest thou, how far He was from unwil…

(Verse 5, 6.) Which is easier to say: your sins are forgiven you; or to say: rise up and walk? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins, then He says to the paralytic. There is a great difference between saying and doing. Whether the paralytic's sins were forgiven, only the one who forgave them knew.

Which is easier? Here the disproof is given. But the Lord seems to argue incorrectly, because he argues from the lesser by affirming, for it seems easier to heal the body than the soul. But Jerome explains it thus: It is easier to say than to do; but as to doing, it is greater to heal the soul than the body; and as to power, it is the same power for both.

But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on the earth to forgive sins —” then He says to the paralytic, “Having arisen, take up your mat and go to your house.”

Furthermore, so it could be understood that he was in a body and that he could forgive sins and restore health to bodies, Jesus said, "That you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins," then he said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your pallet." He could have simply said "Arise," but since the reason for doing every work had to be explained, he added, "…

His rising up is the drawing off the soul from carnal lusts; his taking up his bed is the raising the flesh from earthly desires to spiritual pleasures; his going to his house is his returning to Paradise, or to internal watchfulness of himself against sin.

Therefore, that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins. He shows it in deed: first, the end of the deed is mentioned; secondly, the method; thirdly, the efficacy.

And having arisen, he went away to his house.

Admiration and not fear had to accomplish this work, but even now the order of the mystery remains. To add a glimpse of the future to the truth of the present, the crowds fear the Lord's words and actions. It is frightful to face death without having one's sins forgiven by Christ, for no one returns to the eternal home unless forgiveness of sins has been granted.

(Verse 7, 8.) Rise, take up your bed, and go to your house. And he rose and went to his house. And when the crowds saw it, they were afraid and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. And if the paralyzed man rises, if he recovers his former strength, he carries his bed on which he lay before, and carries it into his house of virtues.

Then follows the execution of the commands: He rose and went home.

And having seen this, the crowds revered and glorified God, the One having given such authority to men.

It is a very fearful thing to be seized by death while the sins are yet unforgiven by Christ; for there is no way to the heavenly house for him whose sins have not been forgiven. But when this fear is removed, honour is rendered to God, who by His word has in this way given power to men, of forgiveness of sins, of resurrection of the body, and of return to Heaven.

"For when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men:" for the flesh was an offense unto them. But He did not rebuke them, but proceeds by His works to arouse them, and exalt their thoughts. Since for the time it was no small thing for Him to be thought greater than all men, as having come from God.

When the crowds, not the scribes, because they were scornful, saw it, they were afraid: "O Lord, I have heard the report of you and I feared" (Hab 3:2). But with what fear? Because they glorified God, for they referred everything to God: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory" (Ps 115:1). Who had given such power to men.

Jesus Calls Matthew

And Jesus, passing on from there, saw a man sitting at the tax booth, named Matthew. And He says to him, “Follow Me.” And having arisen, he followed Him.

Do you hesitate about arts, and trades, and about professions likewise, for the sake of children and parents? Even there was it demonstrated to us, that both "dear pledges," and handicrafts, and trades, are to be quite left behind for the Lord's sake; while James and John, called by the Lord, do leave quite behind both father and ship; while Matthew is roused up from the toll-b…

He esteems lightly human dangers which might accrue to him from his masters for leaving his accounts in disorder, but, he arose, and followed him. And because he relinquished earthly gain, therefore of right was he made the dispenser of the Lord's talents.

Here two things are mentioned: first, the conversion of sinners; secondly, the complaint of the Pharisees (v. 11). First, he tells how he called a certain man to discipleship; secondly, how he called many to intimacy (v. 10). He says, therefore, As Jesus passed on from there... Why did he pass on?

And it came to pass, when He was reclining in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners, having come, were reclining with Jesus and His disciples.

Nor would the name of publicans have been so execrable in the eyes of the Lord, unless as being a "strange" name,-a (name) of such as put up the pathways of the very sky, and earth, and sea, for sale.

Jesus' sitting at table has more significance for Matthew than just dining. Jesus will be feasting not on food but on the return of sinners. He will call them back through feasting, collegiality and human affection, enjoying himself with their pleasant conversation while reclining at table.

He continues: As he was at table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. Here he shows how many were called to intimacy. Hence he says, As he sat at table... Others say that he gave him a banquet, but Matthew is silent.

And having seen it, the Pharisees were saying to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with the tax collectors and sinners?”

The Jews were seething with envy that the Lord was spending time with publicans and sinners. He declared to them that the words of the law were being concealed under a cloak of faithlessness. He gave aid to the sick and medicine to those in need. For those who believed they were healthy, however, no cure was necessary.

Luke seems to have related this a little differently; according to him the Pharisees say to the disciples, Why do ye eat and drink with Publicans and sinners? (Luke 5:30.) not unwilling that their Master should be understood to be involved in the same charge; insinuating it at once against Himself and His disciples.

When the Pharisees saw this... We have seen how Jesus calls sinners to follow him and accepts them at the banquet. Here the complaint is mentioned: first, about the company; secondly, about the banquet (v. 14). In regard to the first, the question is put; secondly, the response (v. 12). Therefore, when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples.

But having heard, He said, “Those being strong have no need of a physician, but those being sick.

The Lord had come, of course, to save that which "had perished; " "a Physician." necessary to "the sick" "more than to the whole." This fact He was in the habit both of typifying in parables and preaching in direct statements.

Luke adds to repentance, which explains the sense; that none should suppose that sinners are loved by Christ because they are sinners; and this comparison of the sick shows what God means by calling sinners, as a physician does the sick to be saved from their iniquity as from a sickness: which is done by penitence.

Then follows Jesus' response, wherein he gives three reasons. First, he uses a comparison: But when Jesus heard it, he said: "Those who are well have no need of a physician." The Lord calls himself a physician; and correctly so: "He heals all your diseases" (Ps 103:3), namely, of soul and body.

But having gone, learn what this is: ‘Mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

"But," say they, "God is `good, 'and `most good, ' and `pitiful-hearted, 'and `a pitier, 'and `abundant in pitiful-heartedness, ' which He holds `dearer than all sacrifice, ' `not thinking the sinner's death of so much worth as his repentance', `a Saviour of all men, most of all of believers.

He therefore warns them, that by deeds of mercy they should seek for themselves the rewards of the mercy that is above, and, not overlooking the necessities of the poor, trust to please God by offering sacrifice.

Secondly, he cites a scriptural text, saying, "Go and learn what this means..." As if to say: You do not understand the Scripture, but go and learn what this means: "I desire mercy and not sacrifice." This is written in Hosea (6:6).

Questions about Fasting

Then the disciples of John come to Him, saying, “Why do we ourselves and the Pharisees fast many times, but Your disciples do not fast?”

At all events, in the Gospel they think that those days were definitely appointed for fasts in which "the Bridegroom was taken away; " and that these are now the only legitimate days for Christian fasts, the legal and prophetical antiquities having been abolished: for wherever it suits their wishes, they recognise what is the meaning of" the Law and the prophets until John.

What did John's disciples have in common with the Pharisees if not a bond of ill will uniting those whom discipline had separated? In this case jealousy loses its bearings: Accustomed to separating people, it united them. The Jews were not disposed to esteem Moses less than the Lord, and John's disciples were by no means willing to prefer Christ to John.

Here arises a question about banqueting, followed by the answer. But then there is the textual question as to why it seems from Mark (2:18) and Luke (5:29) that the question was proposed by others; for it says in Mark (2:18): "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" Therefore, the disciples did not put the question.

And Jesus said to them, “Surely the sons of the bridechamber cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But days will come when the bridegroom may have been taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Figuratively; This His answer, that while the Bridegroom was present with them, His disciples needed not to fast, teaches us the joy of His presence, and the sacrament of the holy food, which none shall lack, while He is present, that is, while one keeps Christ in the eye of the mind.

When he wisheth to eat everything, and not to restrain himself by forbearance from any meat, he beginneth to repeat that which was written by our Lord, "It is not that which goeth into a man which defileth him;" for his ear is only pierced to hear such things as can be thought to support his lust, and in the face of the hearing of other things he shutteth the door of his attent…

And Jesus said to them... Here Jesus answers in a subtle way: first, he assigns a cause on his part; secondly, on the part of the disciples (v. 16). In regard to the first he does two things: first, he determines the time for feasting; secondly, of fasting (v. 15b).

The Patches and the Wineskins

But no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on old clothing; for the patch of it tears away from the garment, and a worse tear emerges.

The Spirit of God, and the Word of God, and the Reason of God-Word of Reason, and Reason and Spirit of Word-Jesus Christ our Lord, namely, who is both the one and the other, -has determined for us, the disciples of the New Testament, a new form of prayer; for in this particular also it was needful that new wine should be laid up in new skins, and a new breadth be sewn to a new…

By the old garment He means His disciples, who had not yet been renewed in all things. The patch of undressed, that is, of new cloth, means the new grace, that is, the Gospel doctrine, of which fasting is a portion; and it was not meet that the stricter ordinances of fasting should be entrusted to them, lest they should be broken down by their severity, and forfeit that faith w…

No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Here he presents the other argument, the one on the part of the disciples. He gives two examples; one is explained by Augustine and the other by Jerome.

Nor do they pour new wine into old wineskins; and if not, the wineskins are burst, and the wine is poured out, and the wineskins are ruined. But they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

"Neither do men put new wine into old bottles." Seest thou His illustrations, how like the Old Testament? the garment? the wine skins? For Jeremiah too calls the people "a girdle," and makes mention again of "bottles" and of "wine." Thus, the discourse being about gluttony and a table, He takes His illustrations from the same.

After two comparisons made, that of the wedding, and that of the undressed cloth, He adds a third concerning wine skins; Neither do men put new wine into old skins. By the old skins He means His disciples, who were not yet perfectly renewed.

Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. Here he presents the example about wine. As if to say: My disciples are like old wineskins. The new wine is the New Law by reason of newness; hence when they receive the Holy Spirit, they are said to be filled with new wine (Acts 2:13). Therefore, neither is new wine put into old wineskins; if it is, the skins burst.

The Healing Touch of Jesus

While He was speaking these things to them, behold, a certain ruler, having come, was kneeling down to Him, saying that, “My daughter has presently died; but having come, lay Your hand upon her, and she will live.”

The prayers of the ruler, the faith of the woman, the gathering of the crowd in the house and the shouting of the two blind men, as well as the bringing of the deaf and dumb demoniac … are all interrelated. The ruler here is understood to be the law. He prays to the Lord for the people.

(De Cons. Ev. ii. 28.) This narrative is given both by Mark and Luke, but in a quite different order; namely, when after the casting out of the daemons and their entrance into the swine, he had returned across the lake from the country of the Gerasenes. Now Mark does indeed tell us that this happened after He had recrossed the lake, but how long after he does not determine.

He mentioned the miracles by which remedies are applied against the dangers of sin; here he mentions those by which remedies are applied against the dangers of death. This is divided into two parts: first, he tells how he restored a life; secondly, how he restored that life's actions (v. 23).

And Jesus, having arisen, followed him, and His disciples also.

And whereas Mark saith, He took the three disciples, and so doth Luke; our evangelist merely saith, "the disciples." Wherefore then did He not take with Him Matthew, though he had but just come unto Him? To bring him to a more earnest longing, and because he was yet rather in an imperfect state. For to this intent doth He honor those, that these may grow such as those are.

We ought to admire and at the same time to imitate the humility and mercifulness of the Lord; as soon as ever He was asked, He rose to follow him that asked; And Jesus rose, and followed him. Here is instruction both for such as are in command, and such as are in subjection.

And Jesus rose and followed him. He rose, namely, from the meal. Here we have evidence of Christ's mercy, because after the request he went at once, as it says in Isaiah (30:19): "As soon as he hears your cry, he will answer you." Likewise, he gives an example of solicitude to prelates, that they should be solicitous about helping sinners quickly.

And behold, a woman having a flux of blood twelve years, having come up behind Him, touched the fringe of His garment.

Herein is to be observed the marvellous virtue of the Lord, that the power that dwelt in His body should give healing to things perishable, and the heavenly energy extended even through the hems of His garments; for God is not comprehensible that He should be shut in by a body.

In which her humility must be praised, that she came not before His face, but behind, and judged herself unworthy to touch the Lord's feet, yea, she touched not His whole garment, but the hem only; for the Lord wore a hem according to the command of the Law. So the Pharisees also wore hems which they made large, and in some they inserted thorns.

And behold, a woman... In Leviticus (c. 12) it is laid down that a woman who suffered a flow of blood was unclean and did not live with men; therefore, she did not come to him in the house but on the road.

For she was saying within herself, “If only I shall touch His garment, I will be healed.”

But Jesus, having turned and having seen her, said, “Take courage, daughter; your faith has cured you.” And the woman was cured from that very hour.

As the woman is healed, the crowd of sinners is made whole. At first it seemed more appropriate to follow the law of cleanliness. But a more pristine wholeness is restored to publicans and sinners in the appearance of the woman. Thus, upon meeting the Lord as he was passing by, she believed firmly that by touching his garment she would be healed of her flow of blood.

The daughter of the synagogue ruler signifies the Jewish people, whereas the woman signifies the church of the Gentiles. The Lord Christ, born of the Jews in the flesh, was presented to those Jews in the flesh. But he sent others to the Gentiles; he did not go himself. His bodily and visible community ties were in Judea.

Jesus turned, and seeing her, he said, "Take heart, daughter." Here is shown Christ's kindness. First, it is shown by an action, because he turned toward her. Why? So she would not lose confidence; for since she had come furtively, she did not think he would turn toward her. Also that her faith be shown as an example.

And Jesus, having come into the house of the ruler and having seen the flute players and the crowd making a commotion,

Mystically; The Lord enters the ruler's house, that is, the synagogue, throughout which there resounded in the songs of the Law a strain of wailing.

Christ reaches the house and sees the girl who appears to be dead. In order to move faithless hearts to faith, he says that the ruler's daughter is sleeping and is not dead. Ostensibly it is not easier to rise from death than to rise from sleep.

And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players... Here the revival is described, and he does four things: first, the indications of death are described; secondly, hope is given; thirdly, the girl is revived; fourthly, the effect is mentioned. He says, therefore, When he came... and saw... Why did the flute players come?

was saying, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeps.” And they were mocking Him.

But that the number of the elect might be known to be but few out of the whole body of believers, the multitude is put forth; the Lord indeed would that they should be saved, but they mocked at His sayings and actions, and so were not worthy to be made partakers of His resurrection.

(Vers. 24.) Step back, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping. And they laughed at him. For in God, all things live.

Hence he says, Depart, for the girl is not dead. He gives hope: She is not dead, namely, to himself; but sleeping, because it is as easy for him to restore life as for someone to wake another from sleep. Something similar is stated in John (11:11): "Lazarus, our friend, is asleep..." She is not dead. Why did he say it this way? Because they laughed at him.

But when the crowd was put outside, having entered, He took hold of her hand, and the girl arose.

In the synagogue ruler we perceive a figure of the prophets or apostles, especially Peter, by whom the calling of the Gentiles was first heard; that is, the girl represented all those holy people who pleased God, not through the works of the law but through the righteousness of faith.…Moreover, for us to understand that the entire mystery of our salvation is prefigured in this…

(Mor. xviii. 43.) The multitude are put forth that the damsel may be raised; for unless the multitude of worldly cares is first banished from the secrets of the heart, the soul which is laid dead within, cannot rise again.

And when the crowd had been put out, he went in. The crowd is the Jews, who are not converted. And morally, in order that the soul be restored, it is required that the crowd of thoughts be expelled. Then the Lord enters. He went in and took her by the hand: "The right hand of the Lord has shown power" (Ps 118:16). He takes the hand of the sinner, when he offers him help.

And this report went out into all that land.

Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute

And as Jesus was passing on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

At that point, two blind men follow the Lord as he was passing by. But if they could not see, how could the blind men know of the Lord's departure as well as his name? Moreover, they called him "Son of David" and asked to be made well. In the two blind men, the entire earlier prefiguration is complete.

Rightly they call Him Son of David, because the Virgin Mary was of the line of David.

After showing how he restored life, he now shows how he restored the functions of life. First, how he restored sight; secondly, speech (v. 32). In regard to the first, four things are done: first, the request of the blind men; secondly, they are questioned (v. 28b); thirdly, they are heard (v. 29); fourthly, the charge given to the cured (v. 30b).

And having come into the house, the blind men came to Him; and Jesus says to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They say to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

And having brought them into the house, He puts to them a further question. For in many cases He made a point of healing on entreaty, lest any should suppose Him to be rushing upon these miracles through vainglory: and not on this account alone, but to indicate also that they deserve healing, and that no one should say, "If it was of mere mercy that He saved, all men ought to b…

He who was able to give sight to the blind, was not ignorant whether they believed; but He asked them, in order that the faith which they bare in their hearts, being confessed by their mouth might be made deserving of a higher reward, according to that of the Apostle, By the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Rom. 10:10.)

Then he tests the petitioners. First, in deed, by delaying to hear them. For faith is shown to be firm, when a request is not obtained at once: "If it seem slow, wait for it; it will surely come and will not delay" (Hab 2:3). Hence he led them, until he came to the house. When he entered the house...

Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be done to you.”

And their eyes were opened. And Jesus strictly instructed them, saying, “See that no one should know it.”

But having gone out, they make Him known in all that land.

And as they were going out, behold, they brought to Him a man mute and demonised.

By the dumb and deaf, and dæmoniae, is signified the Gentile world, needing health in every part; for sunk in evil of every kind, they are afflicted with disease of every part of the body.

Observe the beautiful order of His miracles; how after He had given sight to the blind, He restored speech to the dumb, and healed the possessed of the dæmon; by which He shows Himself the Lord of power, and the author of the heavenly medicine.

As they were going away, a dumb demoniac was brought up to him. After restoring sight to the blind, he now restores speech to a dumb man. Those two incidents are fittingly joined, because speech is the sign of inward sight: "He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped" (Is 35:4-5).

And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marvelled, saying, “Never was it seen thus in Israel!”

But by the knowledge of God the frenzy of superstition being chased away, the sight, the hearing, and the word of salvation is brought in to them.

(Verse 33, 34.) And the crowds marveled, saying: Never has it appeared like this in Israel. But the Pharisees said: By the prince of demons he casts out demons. The crowd confesses the works of God, and says: Never has it appeared like this in Israel. In the crowd, there is a confession of the nations.

Then when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke. So the gentile, when freed from serving idols, spoke, namely, God's praise: "That every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of the Father" (Phil 2:11). The effect follows: And the crowds marveled at what they saw. And because they marveled, they said: Never was anything like this seen in Israel.

But the Pharisees were saying, “By the prince of the demons He casts out the demons.”

"He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils." What can be more foolish than this? For in the first place, as He also saith further on, it is impossible that a devil should cast out a devil for that being is wont to repair what belongs to himself, not to pull it down.

"But the Pharisees said, He casteth out demons through the prince of demons." These words are the height of stupidity. For no demon casts out other demons. But let us suppose that He cast out demons as one who served the prince of demons, that is, as a magician. How then did He heal diseases, forgive sins, and preach the kingdom?

But the Pharisees said... The Pharisees, i.e., the separated, because they interpreted in a perverse way: "They turned good into evil" (Sir 11:31). Hence they said: He casts out devils by the prince of devils. Here Augustine tells us to note that Christ performed the same miracle twice. This is evident, because the evangelists say different things.

The Lord of the Harvest

And Jesus was going throughout all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every sickness.

"He went about," it is said, "all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease." And so far from punishing them for their insensibility, He did not even simply rebuke them; at once both evincing His meekness, and so refuting the calumny; and at the same time minded also by the signs…

And this very thing Matthew also shows when speaking thus: And Jesus went about their cities and villages teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness, thus implying that he wrought miracles of a nature consistent with what he preached.

It has been shown that he helped those who came to him; here he tells how he went to others. He does two things: first, how he bestowed effects on some; secondly, affects (v. 36). In regard to the first he shows where he confers help; secondly, what he taught; thirdly, what he did. He says, therefore, And Jesus went about all the cities and villages.

And having seen the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were troubled and cast away, as sheep not having a shepherd.

No instigator had stirred up the crowds. They were not harassed and helpless because of some mishap or disturbance. So why is Jesus so moved with compassion for these people? Clearly the Lord has pity on these people held in the sway of an unclean spirit and burdened by the law, because no shepherd was about to restore to them the guardianship of the Holy Spirit.

Herein Christ shows in Himself the disposition of the good shepherd and not that of the hireling. Why He pitied them is added, Because they were troubled, and sick as sheep that have no shepherd—troubled either by dæmons, or by divers sicknesses and infirmities.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them. Here he shows how Jesus showed affection toward some. This is contrary to those who held that no affection was sufficient, but that effects were required; but here he says, When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them. First, he mentions how he had compassion; secondly, he presents an example.

Then He says to His disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the workmen are few;

And not even at this doth He stop, but He exhibits also another instance of His forethought. That is, "When He saw," it is said, "the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they were troubled, and scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

When the preachers were sent, let us hear what he says: "The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send laborers into his harvest." For the great harvest the laborers are few, which we cannot speak of without heavy grief, because even if there are those who hear good things, there are none to speak them.

Then he said to his disciples. Here he induces others to compassion: first, he assigns the cause; secondly, he persuades to the effect (v. 38). He presents two causes: first, the multitude of those striving toward good; secondly, the scarcity of teachers (v. 37b). Many had assembled; therefore, he says, The harvest is plentiful.

beseech therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He may send out workmen into His harvest.”