Matthew 9:35 Commentary and Bible Study

(Synoptics: Matthew 9:35-38) We come here to the end of one section and the beginning of another in Matthew’s Gospel. Verse 35 is a repeat of Matthew 4:23, with a small variation – ‘all the cities and villages’ in place of ‘all Galilee’ – and, although some think this describes an additional tour of Galilee, these two verses should probably be seen as bracketing all that lies between them. He visited ‘all the cities and villages’. Sometimes we think it must have taken a long time for the preaching to reach all people, but in a relatively short time all were told that the Messiah had come. He taught in their synagogues, and preached the gospel of the kingdom. This is put first because this was what was most important of all. It was the same message that in summary he is said to have delivered in Matthew 4:17: ‘Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’, or as Mark puts it, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel’ (Mark 1:15). He was authenticated by miracles not seen for 400 years. The whole nation was stirred and aroused. Even so, the vast majority were only moved in a superficial way. Up till this point Matthew has told us about the majesty of Christ and his supernatural works, but from now on we learn more about the responses of the masses.Matthew emphasises that Christ left no sickness or disease unhealed: he healed them all. There was no case too hard for him, and this pictured what he does in the spiritual realm where sin’s effects are completely removed. We look forward to being perfected in the world to come so that sin leaves no trace of its effect on us. This is what we are to strive towards even now.