Matthew 9:1 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Matthew 9:1

Comments

Christ’s work in Decapolis is done for now. He will return to the region later, but on this occasion he had gone for one specific purpose: to cast out the demons from the demon possessed man and to send him to tell the people what great things God had done for him. There is no report in the Gospels that he went any further than the coastal region where the ship landed and where the man lived. The people from the nearby town came out to meet him, but he stayed where he was. This all takes place within a single day and then he returns to Capernaum, the city he has now made his base (Matthew 4:13) and which is therefore called here ‘his own city’, and from where they had come before going to Decapolis, and to where they now returned in the ship since Peter has his fishing business there. Whose house he stayed in is not stated. Possibly Peter’s, possibly a hired house. It was home to him for the moment. Wherever he was, he preached. Christ was no longer new to the area, and as soon as the people heard of his return, they hurried to come to him. The scribes and Pharisees also came.

Application

[Luke adds that the multitude welcomed him for they were all waiting for him. They knew that he had gone over to the other side of Galilee and they expected him to return. So urgent was their need that they were prepared to wait for his return even though they did not know how long that would be. The seeking soul know there is nothing more important in life than to find Christ as Saviour and obtain forgiveness from him. Sometimes the Lord seems to delay in answering us for reasons we do not understand. Under such circumstances we must examine our hearts and make sure we are in earnest about repenting of sin and depending entirely on the Lord for salvation. We must continue to seek his face and pray to him for the removal of any obstacles. We must desire to be changed and know that there is no one else to whom we can go. They met him on the shore of Galilee at the earliest point they could meet him, and they appear to have been watching the ship approaching Capernaum.]

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Matthew 9:1 Commentary and Bible Study