Matthew – Notes

 

 

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ENDNOTES MATTHEW

 

 

Several sources I have cited here are from the electronic media, either from websites or from electronic research libraries.  Thus in some of these sources it is not possible to cite page numbers.  Instead, I have cited the verse or verses in Matthew  (e.g. v. verse 1:1 or vs. verses 1:5-6) about which the commentators speak.

 

 

Introduction

 

1  Kenneth L. Barker & John R. Kohlenberger III, eds., Zondervan NIV Bible
Commentary, Vol. 2, New Testament
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994), p. 3.

2  Craig L. Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992), p. 21.

3  Ibid., p. 39.

4  Charles F. Pfeiffer & Everett F. Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1962), p. 929.

5  William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1 (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1956), p. xxii.

6   R. T. France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1985), p. 37.

7  Ibid., p. 33.

8  Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament (Downers Grove: Inter Varsity Press, 1993), p. 45.

9  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. xxi.

10  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 33.

CHAPTER 1

1  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, pp. 1, 2.

2  Peter Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, 2013,  vs. 1:12-16. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pet/matthew-1.html.

3  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 2.

4  Grant Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew (Carol Stream: Tyndale House, 1996), p. 3.

5  Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1992),  p. 23.

6  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 46.

7  Barker & Kohlenberger, eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 7.

8  Norman L. Geisler, Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1999), p. 268.

9  James Burton Coffman,Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament (Abilene, TX: Abilene Christian University Press, 1983-1999), v. 1:4. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/matthew-1.html.

10  Warren W. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2007), p. 12.

11  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, vs. 1:6-11.

12  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 9.

13  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 931.

14  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 11.

15  Albert Barnes, Albert, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, 1870, vs. 1:2-16. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/matthew-1.html.

16  Ibid.

17  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 22.

18  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 80.

19  Barker & Kohlenberger, eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 8.

20  Ibid., p. 3.

21  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 12.

22  Quoted in Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 4.

23  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 47.

24  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 9.

Keener adds: “Betrothal (erusin) then was more binding than most engagements are today and was normally accompanied by the groom’s payment of at least part of the bride price.” (Keener, p. 47).

25  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 13.

26  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 47.

27  Dr. Bob Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, 2016, v. 1:18. http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL01/VOL01_01.html

28  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 4.

29  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 15.

30  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 82.

31  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 59.

32  Barker & Kohlenberger, eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 9.

Barnes adds: “In a dream – This was a common way of making known the will of God to the ancient prophets and people of God, Genesis 20:3; Genesis 30:1, Genesis 30:11, Genesis 30:24; Genesis 37:5; Genesis 41:1; 1 Kings 3:5; Daniel 7:1; Job 4:13-15.” (Barnes. v. 2:20).

33  D. Guthrie, & J. A. Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1970), p. 818.

34  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 42.

35  Barker & Kohlenberger, eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 10.

36  Paul Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, 1921-23, vs. 1:22-23. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kpc/matthew-1.html.

37  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 60.

38  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 19.

39  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 85.

CHAPTER 2

1  Coffman reports: “Kepler stated that there was a conjunction of the planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars within the constellation Pisces (the fish), beginning in 7 B.C. and culminating in 6 B.C. This particular constellation, Pisces, was held by ancient astrologers to represent Israel; therefore, this remarkable conjunction is at least worthy of notice.” (Coffman, v. 2:2).

France adds: “Thus in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society 18 (1977), pp. 443-449 three astronomers identified it as a nova which Chinese astronomers observed for 70 days in 5/4 BC…” (France, p. 87).

2  A. T. Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1932, 33; Renewal, 1960), v. 2:1. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rwp/matthew-1.html.

3  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 2:1.

4  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 932.

5  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 13.

6  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 49.

7  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 932.

8  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, pp. 48-49.

9  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 18.

10  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 86.

11  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 36.

12  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 20.

13  David Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, v. 2:3. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-1/

14  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 2:3.

15  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 2:4-6, citing Carson.

16  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 2:4.

17  John Trapp, John Trapp Complete Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, 1865-1868,  v. 2:10. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/matthew-2.html.

18  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 49.

19  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 13.

20  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 2:1.

21  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 21.

22  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 2:8.

23  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 65.

France adds that this, “…can mean only that the star itself moved to guide the Magi.” (France, p. 89).

24  Frederick Brotherton Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’ Commentary on Matthew, 1914, vs. 2:9-15. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/fbm/matthew-1.html. 1914.

25  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 2:11.

26  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 22.

“…eastern tradition said that there were three of them no doubt arose from the threefold gift which they brought.  Later legend made them kings.”

27  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 2:9-12, citing Meyer.

28  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 30.

29  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 13.

Guthrie adds: “There is irony in the fact that Egypt, the place of bondage (Ex. 20:2), is now the place of safety.” (Guthrie, p. 819).

30  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 91.

31  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 14.

32  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 32.

33  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 44.

34  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 92.

35  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 35.

36  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 69.

37  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 2:22.

38  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 2:22.

39  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 48.

40  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 32.

41  Bargil Pixner, With Jesus Through The Galilee According to the Fifth Gospel (Rosh Pinna, Israel: Corazin Publishing, 1992), p. 15.

CHAPTER 3

1  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 51.

“In times of severe national apostasy in the OT, some prophets (like Elijah) found it necessary to live outside society’s boundaries.”

2  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 36.

3  John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible, Commentary on Matthew, 1840-57, v. 3:1.  https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cal/matthew-1.html.

4  James R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Co., 2002), pp. 29-30.

5  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 73.

6  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 16.

Morris adds: “In all three Synoptists ‘the kingdom’ is the most important topic in Jesus’ teaching. In Matthew it is usually the kingdom of heaven (32 times), while ‘the kingdom of God,’ which is the most usual expression in Mark and Luke, occurs but 5 times.” (Morris, pp. 52-53).

7  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 53.

8  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 74.

9  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 90.

10  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 37.

11  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 934.

12  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 36.

13  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 96.

14  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 52.

15  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 76.

“The best historical evidence suggests immersion was more likely. The most common meaning of the verbs bapto and baptizo points in this direction as well, though there are instances in which the terms also refer to a more superficial dipping (e.g. Rev. 19:13).  In general the New Testament evidence concerning baptism strongly supports immersion for believers.”

16  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 43.

17  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 3:6.

18  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 77.

19  J. D. Douglas & Merrill C. Tenney, The New International Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1963, 1987),  pp. 778-780.

20  Ronald F. Youngblood, Gen. Ed., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, Atlanta: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986, 1995),  pp. 1112-13.

21  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 38.

22  Ibid., p. 39.

23  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 97.

24  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 78.

25  Ibid., pp. 79-80.

26  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 98.

27  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 18.

Kretzmann expands: “The picture is that of a threshing-floor in the Orient, a flat, open space paved with stones. The husbandman has driven his oxen across the floor to tread out the grain from the hulls, or his workmen have beaten it out with flails.” (Kretzmann, v. 3:12).

28  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 52.

29  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 15.

30  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 3:14.

31  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 81.

32  Ibid., p. 82.

33  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 934.

34  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 52.

35  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 3:17.

36  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 53.

CHAPTER 4

1  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 55.

2  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 71.

3  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 935.

“…The various tests were directed against the human nature of Jesus, and he resisted in that realm.”

4  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 59.

5  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 4:2.

6  Ibid., v. 4:3.

7  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 60.

8  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 56.

9  Quoted in Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 74.

10  Ibid.

11  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 104.

12  Bible Places. http://www.bibleplaces.com/southerntm/

13  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 20.

14  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 85.

15  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 17.

16  Calvin, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible, Commentary on Matthew, v. 4:7.

17  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 4:8-10.

18  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 17.

19  Coffman,Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 4:18.

20  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 65.

21  Baruch Sapir/Dov Neeman, Capernaum (Kfar-Nachum), History and Legacy, Art and Architecture (Haarlem, Holland: Jon. Enschede en Zonen, 1967), p. 8.

22  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, v. 4:12.

23  Coffman,Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 4:13.

24  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 67.

25  Ibid., p. 66.

26  Ibid., p. 69.

27  Sapir/Neeman, Capernaum (Kfar-Nachum), History and Legacy, Art and Architecture, p. 6, citing Josephus.

28  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 49.

29  Mendel Nun, The Sea of Galilee and Its Fishermen In The New Testament (Ein Gev: Kibbutz Ein Gev: Tourist Department and Kinnereth Sailing Co., 1989), pp. 6, 14.

30  Ibid., pp. 6-7; 16-29.

31  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 4:18-22.

32  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 84.

33  Quoted in Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 85.

34  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 201.

35  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 92.

CHAPTER 5

1  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 56.

2  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 73.

Osborne as well as Pfeiffer and Harrison see the mountain as the one near Capernaum.  That would be the Mount of Beatitudes. (cf. Pfeiffer & Harrison, p. 936).

3  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 80.

4  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 22.

5  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 79.

6  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 93.

7  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 22.

8  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 5:1-9.

9  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 5:3.

10  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 86.

11  Christina Hoff Sommers and Sally Satel, M.D., One Nation Under Therapy, How The Helping Culture is Eroding Self-Reliance (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2005),  p. 6.

“Now several studies suggest that inflated self-esteem may even be dangerous.” p. 31.

12  CBNs 700 Club, March 19, 2014.

“Ralph Reed, appearing on CBNs 700 Club, said that 1/4th to 1/3rd of US children are functional illiterates.  In New York City this figure increases to 80 percent.  This information he had taken from City University of NY.  These students after High School graduation have to receive remedial classes to effectively function.”

13  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 95.

14  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 88.

15  Ibid., p. 89.

16  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 91.

17  William Barclay, A New Testament Wordbook (London: SCM Press Ltd., 1959),  p. 104.

18  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 91.

19  Hymnary Organization. https://hymnary.org/text/jesus_shall_reign_whereer_the_sun

20  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 94.

21  Ibid, p. 95.

22  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, v. 5:6.

23  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 5:6.

24  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, v. 5:6.

25  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 98.

26  Ibid., p. 100.

27  https://books.google.com/books?id=UaQ-AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA358&lpg=PA358&dq=his+one+thought+was+god+and+in+that+thought+he+abode&source=bl&ots=SwpkxDHKDJ&sig=zRZeRHYl14mZ8ATG9pOt5BWo4eU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwik5fmshJ7YAhUP32MKHVmJBKAQ6AEIKzAB#v=onepage&q=his%20one%20thought%20was%20god%20and%20in%20that%20thought%20he%20abode&f=false2

28  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 103.

29  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 24.

30  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 103.

31  David Jeremiah, The Coming Economic Armageddon (New York, Boston, Nashville: Faith Words, 2010), p. 43.

32  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 5:10-16.

33  Cited in Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 106-07.

34  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 5:10-12.

35  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 108.

36  John L. Allen Jr., The Global War on Christians (New York: Image, 2013), pp. 33, 35.

37  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 5:10.

38  Ibid., vs. 5:11-12.

39  Ask A Scientist. http://askascientist.co.uk/chemistry/can-salt-lose-its-saltyness/

40  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 187.

41  Ibid.

42  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 102.

43  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 175.

44  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 118.

45  Quoted in Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 5:14-16.

46  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 119.

47  Ibid., p. 121.

48  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 108.

49  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 120.

50  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 5:18.

51  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 104.

52  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 58.

53  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 5:21.

54  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 136.

55  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 58.

56  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 5: 34, Citing Bruce.

57  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 5:22.

58  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 92.

59  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 140.

60  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 20.

61  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 27.

62  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 107.

“Adultery: usually referred to sexual relations by a married person with a partner other than his or her spouse, but v. 28 makes clear that Jesus is not limiting his commandments to married people but speaking of sexual sin in general.” (Blomberg, p. 108).

63  Star Parker, Uncle Sam’s Plantation (Nashville: WND Books, 2003), p. 108.

“A growing body of evidence suggests that a high percentage, as high as 90 percent, of women who have an abortion suffer emotional and psychiatric stress, including as many as 10 percent requiring psychiatric hospitalization or other professional treatment.  As many as 30,000 women each year suffer emotional trauma severe enough to render them unable to work.  And women who have had abortions are nine times more likely to commit suicide than those who haven’t.  Over 200,000 women who have had abortions in America have joined post-abortion support groups such as Women Exploited by Abortion…”

64  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 938.

65  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 5:27-28.

66  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 146.

67  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 127.

68  Adam Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, 1832, v. 5:31.  https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/matthew-1.html.

69  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, pp. 148, 150.

70  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 59.

71  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 122.

72  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 160.

73  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 5:33.

74  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 124.

75  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 5:37.

76  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 160.

77  Ibid., p. 161.

Coffman adds, “The law of the jungle was far different: (1) If you kill my child, I will kill all your children, your wife, your brothers, your whole generation! (2) If you knock out my tooth (or eye), I will knock out ALL of yours and kill you also! Thus, the ancient Law of the Hebrews was a vast improvement in that it strictly limited punitive action to the extent of the original injury or loss that precipitated it.” (Coffman, v. 5:38).

78  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 21.

79  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 162.

80  Ibid., p. 164.

81  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 131.

82  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 29.

83  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 127.

84  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 939.

85  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 29.

86  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 129.

87  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 939.

88  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 172.

89  Ibid., pp. 172-73.

90  Quoted in Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 115.

91  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 5:44.

92  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 134.

93  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 176.

CHAPTER 6

1  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 6:1-8.

2  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 6:1.

3  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 61.

4  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 179.

5  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 30.

6  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 6:2.

7  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 6:2.

8  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 185.

9  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 6:3-4.

10  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 22.

11  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 62.

12  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 192.

“No nation ever had a higher ideal of prayer than the Jews had…” p. 190.

“There was hardly an event or a sight in life which had not its stated formula of prayer. There was prayer before and after each meal; there were prayers in connection with the light, the fire, the lightning, on seeing the new moon, comets, rain, tempest, at the sight of the sea, lakes, rivers, on receiving good news, on using new furniture, on entering or leaving a city.” p. 193.

13  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 6:5.

14  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 137.

15  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 939.

16  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 31.

17  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 195.

18  Coffman,Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 6:7.

19  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 22.

20  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 118.

21  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 6:9.

22  Satan the usurper has tried to take the place of God in the world.  He is called the prince of this world.  However, his kingdom is one of darkness, sin and suffering.  Most of the people on this planet today are oppressed by their governments, denied religious freedom and are oft times almost starved to death.  We need the kingdom of God to come.  We need Christ to rule this world forever from his Jerusalem throne.

23  Quoted in Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 22.

24  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 198.

25  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 6:11.

26  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 119.

27  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 6:11.

28  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 6:11.

29  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 6:12.

30  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 220.

31  Poetry Nook. https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/forgiving

32  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 6:13.

33  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 226.

34  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 117.

Guzik adds: “Most modern Biblical scholars believe this line was a later addition.” (Guzik, vs. 6:9-13).

35  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 149.

36  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 236.

“Sometimes fasting was a preparation for revelation. Moses in the mountain fasted for forty days and forty nights (Exo. 24:15). Daniel fasted as he awaited God’s word (Da. 9:3). Jesus himself fasted as he awaited the ordeal of temptation (Matt. 4:3).”

37  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 121.

38  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 150.

39  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 6:16.

40  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 237.

41  Peter Gorday, ed., Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, NT, IX  (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 2000), p. 184.

42  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 63.

43  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 6:19.

44  Ibid.

45  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 153.

46  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, pp. 247-48.

47  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 143.

48  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 6:22.

49  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 6:22.

50  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 63.

51  Ibid.

52  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 252.

53  Ibid., p. 251.

54  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 6:24.

55  Rabbi Daniel Lapin, Business Secrets From The Bible, (Hoboken: Wiley, 2014),  p. 138.

56  David Green, Giving It All Away…And Getting It Back Again (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2017), pp. 141-43.

57  Quoted in Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 126.

58  Positivity Blog. https://www.positivityblog.com/worry-quotes/

59  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 258.

60  Huffington Post. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/don-joseph-goewey-/85-of-what-we-worry-about_b_8028368.html

61  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 6:27.

“It is ridiculous for a person to be able to physically grow over a foot taller…”

62  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 6:27.

63  Margaret Terry, Dear Deb (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012),  p.19.

64  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 6:28-29.

65  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 125.

66  Hymnary Organization. https://hymnary.org/text/i_know_not_what_the_future_hath

67  Coffman,Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 6:33.

68  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 126.

69  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 24.

CHAPTER 7

1  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 7:1-12.

2  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 940.

3  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 127.

4  Brooke Keith, War Cry of the Salvation Army, Nov. 7, 2009.

5  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 147.

Barclay adds: “He was using words and ideas which were quite familiar to the highest thoughts of the Jews…The Jews, too, knew that kindliness in judgment is nothing less than a sacred duty…” (Barclay, p. 265).

6  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, vs. 7:1-2.

7  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 131.

8  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 7:3.

9  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 166.

10  Ken Crockett. http://www.kentcrockett.com/cgi-bin/illustrations/index.cgi?topic=Judging

11  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 168.

12  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 64.

Pett adds: “The dogs in mind in the illustration were the ones which roamed around in a semi-wild condition, often in packs, scavenging for food and living on the outskirts of society.” (Pett, v. 7:6).

13  Coffman,Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 7:7.

14  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 276.

15  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 119.
16  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 275.

17  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 825.

18  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 169.

19  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 277.

20  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 172.

21  Quoted in Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 131.

22  John Oxenham, Bees In Amber (Westwood, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1959), p. 27.

23  Robert Frost. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken

24  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 133.

25  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 141.

26  Trapp, John Trapp Complete Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 7:21.

27  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 144.

28  Ibid.

CHAPTER 8

1  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 8:1-2.

2  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 27.

3  Ibid., p. 28.

4  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, pp. 300-01.

5  Ibid., p. 301.

6  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 138.

7  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 38.

8  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 8:1-2.

9  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 8:4.

10  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 149.

11  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 157.

12  Coffman,Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 8:6.

Osborne adds: “In those days, dealing with a person’s messengers was considered the same as dealing with the one who had sent them…He may have been a “God-fearer” who worshiped the God of Israel but was not circumcised…” (Osborne, p. 151).

13  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 40.

14  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 158.

15  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 151.

Pett adds: “There were, however, no permanent Roman legions in Galilee, but a kind of standing army set up by Herod Antipas made up of local auxiliaries, recruited mainly from the Gentile areas around. They were auxiliary legions.” (Pett, vs. 8:5-13).

16  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 307.

17  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 66.

18  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p.152.

19  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 67.

20  Ibid.

21  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 8:7-9.

22  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 28.

23  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 67.

24  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 160.

25  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 154.

26  Quoted in France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 161.

27  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 314.

28  John J. Rousseau and Rami Arav, Jesus & His World, An Archaeological and Cultural Dictionary (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1995), p. 40.

29  Ibid., pp. 40-42.

30  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 40.

31  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 313.

“Above all there was malaria. In the regions where the Jordan River entered and left the Sea of Galilee there was marshy ground;  there the malaria mosquitoes bred and flourished, and both Capernaum and Tiberias were areas where malaria was very prevalent….It was most likely malaria from which Peter’s wife’s mother was suffering.”

32  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 67.

33  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 315.

34  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 162.

35  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 40.

36  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 199.

37  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 317.

38  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 147.

39  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, pp. 21-22.

40  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 203.

41  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 321.

42  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 147.

43  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 8:22.

44  Rousseau and Arav, Jesus & His World,  pp. 27-28.

45  Ibid., p. 29.

46  Nun, The Sea of Galilee and Its Fishermen In The New Testament, p. 54.

47  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 8:24.

“Arose a great tempest in the sea – Probably excited by Satan, the prince of the power of the air, who, having got the author and all the preachers of the Gospel together in a small vessel, thought by drowning it, to defeat the purposes of God, and thus to prevent the salvation of a ruined world.”

48  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 150.

49  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 322.

50  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 149.

51  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 163.

52  Pixner, With Jesus Through The Galilee According to the Fifth Gospel, pp. 44-45.

53  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 154.

54  See Kursi National Park http://www.parks.org.il/BuildaGate5/general2/data_card.php?Cat=~25~~352845344~Card12~&ru=&SiteName=parks&Clt=&Bur=569948287

55  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew, p. 151.

56  Colorado Springs Gazette, Jul. 8, 2005.

57  Ibid., Jul. 10, 2005.

58  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 68.

59  Quoted in Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 8:30-32.

60  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 158.

61  Quoted in Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 8:30-32.

62  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 8:34.

CHAPTER 9

1  Rousseau and Arav, Jesus & His World, p. 42.

2  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 169.

3  Ibid.

4  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 334.

5  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, vs. 9:1-8.

6  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 9:1-2.

7  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 827.

8  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 9:1-8.

9  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 9:1-2.

10  Youngblood, Gen. Ed., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, p. 220.

11  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 215.

12  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 335.

13  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 9:6.

14  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 177.

15  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 9:8.

16  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 9:9-17.

17  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 336.

18  Ibid., p. 337.

19  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 177.

20  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 944.

21  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 177.

22  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, v. 9:9.

23  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 340.

24  https://www.thejc.com/judaism/jewish-words/am-ha-aretz-1.5776

25  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 70.

26  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 221.

27  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 341.

28  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 45.

29  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 9:13.

30  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 182.

31  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 343.

Keener adds: “Wedding feasts required seven days of festivity; one was not permitted to fast or engage in other acts of mourning or difficult labor during a wedding feast.” (Keener, p. 70).

32  Replacement Theology, also known as Supersessionism, is the belief that the church has replaced Israel entirely in the plan of God.  There is no longer a purpose for Israel, since the church has now become the chosen of God.  Replacement Theology has become very popular today in many liberal church circles as well as among some evangelicals.  It is popular despite the numerous verses in the Bible that speak of Israel’s future prominence and glory.

33  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 828.

34  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 345.

35  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 45.

36  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 346.

37  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 9:17.

38  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, pp. 350, 51.

39  William F. Arndt & F. Wilbur Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1957), p. 723.

40  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 9:18-19.

41  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 354.

42  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 30.

43  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 189.

44  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  v. 9:22.

45  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 352.

46  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 189.

47  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 162.

48  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 232.

Barclay adds: “In particular the swarms and clouds of unclean flies carried the infections which led to loss of sight.” (Barclay, p. 357).

49  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 9:27.

50  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 9:29.

51  https://genius.com/Gaither-vocal-band-he-touched-me-lyrics

52  Arndt & Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, p. 463.

53  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 46.

54  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 9:32-34.

55  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 945.

56  William Barclay, More New Testament Words (London: SCM Press Ltd., 1958), pp. 156-58.

57  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 179.

58  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 9:37.

59  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 9:35-38.

CHAPTER 10

1  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 241.

2  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 47.

3  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 197.

4  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 72.

5  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 168.

6  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 10:1.

7  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 198.

8  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 169.

9  Ibid.

10  Roberts & Donaldson, Eds., The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2, p. 179.

11  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 10:1-4.

12  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 169.

13  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 368.

14  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 169.

15  Ibid., p. 170.

France adds: “Iscariot…has also been explained as meaning ‘traitor’; assassin’; ‘carrier of the leather bag’; or ‘redhead’!” (France, p. 181).

16  Asher Intrater, Alignment (Frederick, MD: Revive Israel Media, 2017), pp. 89-90.

17  Dr. Bob Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Commentary on Luke, 2016, v. 6:14. http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/

18  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 898.

19  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 200.

20  Roberts & Donaldson, Eds., The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 7, p. 301.

21  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 368.

22  Ibid., p. 372.

23  Douglas & Tenney, The New International Dictionary of the Bible, pp. 888-890.

24  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 72.

25  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 10:7-8.

26  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 183.

27  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 376.

28  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 10:8.

29  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 172.

30  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 10:9-15.

31  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 184.

Pfeiffer and Harrison expand: “They were not to procure extra coats, extra sandals, nor a staff (though they might use the sandals and staff they already had, Mk. 6:8-9).” (Pfeiffer and Harrison, p. 946).

32  Ethnic Harvest.  http://www.ethnicharvest.org/links/articles/bridges_man_of_peace.htm

33  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , pp. 172-73.

34  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 184.

35  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 250.

36  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , pp. 204, 205.

37  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 173.

38  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 10:16.

39  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 186.

40  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 829.

41  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 385.

42  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 206.

43  Roberts & Donaldson, Eds., The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 3, p. 36.

44  Ibid., p. 42.

45  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 10:18.

Coffman adds: “Paul himself studied diligently and placed a very high priority upon his books, ‘especially the parchments’ (2 Timothy 4:13).”  (Coffman, v. 10:19).

46  William Barclay, The Gospel of Mark, The New Daily Study Bible (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1975, 2001), pp. 364-365.

47  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 32.

48  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 10:21.

49  John L. Allen Jr., The Global War on Christians, p. 33.

50  Raymond Ibrahim, Crucified Again: Exposing Islam’s New War on Christians (Washington: Regnery Publishing, Inc., 2013), p. 109.

51  Ibid., p. 122.

52  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 10:22.

53  Roberts & Donaldson, Eds., The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1, p. 75.

54  Ibid., Vol 3, p. 105.

55  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 946.

56  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 50.

57  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 210.

58  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 259.

59  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 946.

60  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 261.

61  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 398.

62  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 74.

63  Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).  http://www1.cbn.com/cbn-partners

64  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 262.

65  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 32.

66  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 74.

67  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 177.

68  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 211.

69  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 263.

70  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 178.

71  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 264.

72  Ibid., Citing Bengel.

73  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 74.

74  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 52.

75  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 830.

76  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 405.

77  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 192.

78  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 75.

79  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 10:38.

80  Linda Dillow, Satisfy My Thirsty Soul (Colorado Springs: Nav Press, 2007),  pp. 122-123.

81  Matt Walsh, The Unholy Trinity, Blocking the Left’s Assault on Life, Marriage, and Gender (New York: Crown Publishing Group, 2017), p.  224.

82  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 75.

CHAPTER 11

1  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 11:1.

2  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 53.

3  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 11:1-6.

4  Ibid.

5  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, vs. 11:2-3.

6  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 11:2-3.

7  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 947.

8  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 275.

9  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 196.

10  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 11:4-5.

11  Cited in Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 11:4-6.

12  Barclay, A New Testament Wordbook, pp.111-112.

13  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 11:6.

14  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 54.

15  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 197.

16  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 11:8.

17  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 11:10.

18  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 11:7-11.

Blomberg adds: “‘Born of women’ (v. 11) was simply a Semitic idiom for human…Even the least of these will surpass the greatest of the old era (even as the splendor of the new covenant surpasses that of the old covenant cf. 2 Cor. 3:7-18).” (Blomberg, p. 187).

19  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 948.

20  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 282.

Pett expands: “… in Greek both the middle and the passive tense can be represented by the same form of the verb. Thus here we can translate ‘the Kingly Rule of Heaven is forcibly advancing’ (middle), or ‘the Kingly Rule of God is suffering violence’ (passive), depending on which we choose.” (Pett, v. 11:12).

21  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 11:12-15.

22  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 11:13.

23  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 34.

24  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 11:16-19.

25  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 11: 18.

26  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 831.

27  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, vs. 11:20-24.

28  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 288.

29  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 226.

30  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 11:23.

31  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 227.

32  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 77.

33  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 11:24.

34  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 291.

Guthrie adds: “The style of this saying is very similar to that of John’s Gospel (cf. Jn. 3:35; 17:2). It has been called ‘an erratic block of Johnannine rock’….this provides important evidence that Jesus could have taught in the style used in John.” (Guthrie & Motyer, p. 831).

35  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 202.

36  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 831.

37  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 203.

38  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 831.

39  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 11:28-30.

40  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 194.

41  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 297.

42  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 11:29.

CHAPTER 12

1  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 12:1-8.

2  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 12:1.

3  Sapir/Neeman, Capernaum (Kfar-Nachum), History and Legacy, Art and Architecture, p. 8.

4  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 12:1.

Morris expands: “The Jews took Sabbath observance very seriously.  Thus when the enemy attacked on the Sabbath in the days of the Maccabees, they let themselves be slaughtered, men, women, and children, rather than break the Sabbath by defending themselves (1 Macc. 2:31-38).” (Morris, p. 299).

5  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 206.

Blomberg adds: “Sabbath observance was in fact one of the three most important and distinctive badges of Jewish life, along with circumcision and the dietary laws.” (Blomberg, p. 195).

6  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 12:1-2.

7  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 12:1-2.

8  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 12:2.

9  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 12:6-8.

10  Ibid., vs. 12:2-5.

11  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 12:1-14.

It also should be noted that relationship with God goes a long way.  Had King Saul even touched that bread the Lord would have probably slain him on the spot.  The Lord might have said: “David is my boy and he is hungry.  It is OK.” Editor

12  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 59.

13  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 207.

14  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 78.

15  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 304.

16  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 353.

17  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 208.

18  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 12:1-8.

19  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, pp. 78-79.

20  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 197.

21  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 236.

22  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 307.

23  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 12:13.

24  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 12: 9-14.

25  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 12:14.

26  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 12:14.

27  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 239.

28  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 12:17.

29  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 12:18.

30  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 12:19.

31  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 12:15-23.

32  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 12:20.

33  Hymnary Organization. https://hymnary.org/text/the_whole_w

34  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 313.

35  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 12:22-29.

36  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 12:23.

37  Ibid.

38  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 12:24.

Blomberg supplements: “…Interestingly, this charge persisted as a common view of Jesus among Jews in the early centuries of the Christian era. They did not deny the genuineness of his miracles but ascribed his power to the devil, so that he was branded a sorcerer (e.g., b. Sanh. 107b; b. Sabb. 104b) and worthy of death (m. Sanh. 7:4).” (Blomberg, p. 201).

39  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 314.

40  Quoted in Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 12:25-30.

41  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, pp. 314-15.

42  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 12:25-26.

43  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 243.

44  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 212.

45  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 202.

46  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 212.

47  Ibid., p. 213.

48  Quoted in Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 12:30-32.

49  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 12:30.

50  Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity (Wheaton IL: Crossway Books, 2004), p. 293.

51  Dinesh D’Souza, What’s So Great About Christianity (Washington: Regenery Publishing Inc., 2007), p. 8.

52  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 12:30.

53  Ibid., vs. 12:31-33.

54  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 12:32.

55  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 205.

56  John Dummelow, John Dummelow’c Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, 1909, v. 12:33. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dcb/matthew-1.html.

57  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 12:34-37.

58  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 215.

59  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 868.

60  Guzik, Commentary on James, 3:7-8.  https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/james-3/

61  IzQuotes. http://izquotes.com/quote/377399

62  James Burton Coffman, Commentary on James, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament (Abilene, TX: Abilene Christian University, 1983-1999), comment on James 3:18. http://www.searchgodsword.org/com/bcc/view.cgi?book=jas&chapter=001.

63  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 62.

64  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 324.

65  Quoted in France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 216.

66  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 12:39.

67  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , pp. 206-07.

Barker & Kohlenberger add: “According to Jewish tradition, a day and a night make an onah, and a part of an onah is as the whole. Thus, “three days and three nights: need mean no more than ‘three days: or the combination of any part of three days.’” (Barker & Kohlenberger, p. 63).

68  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 12:38-42.

69  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew,

  1. 12:40.

70  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 327.

71  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 81.

72  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 251.

73  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 36.

74  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 12:45.

75  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 64.

76  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 81.

CHAPTER 13

1  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 13:1-58.

2  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 13:4.

3  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 64.

4  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 82.

5  Pixner, With Jesus Through The Galilee According to the Fifth Gospel, p. 41.

6  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 335.

7  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 13:3.

Barnes expands: “The word ‘parable’ is derived from a Greek word signifying ‘to compare together,’ and denotes a similitude taken from a natural object to illustrate a spiritual or moral subject… Pagan writers, as Aesop, often employed it. In the time of Christ it was in common use.” (Barnes, vs. 13:3-9).

Morris adds: “…it is significant that no other NT character is recorded as having told as much as one parable…” (Morris, p. 333).

8  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 256.

9  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 127.

10  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 13:1-9.

11  Ibid., vs. 13:1-58.

12  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 336.

13  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 128.

14  Robert A. Guelich, Mark 1-8:26, Word Biblical Commentary, (Dallas: Word Books, 1989), p. 195.

15  How Stuff Works. http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/botany/wheat-info1.htm.

16  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 951.

17  William F. Arndt & F. Wilbur Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1957),  pp. 531-32.

18  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 13:10-17.

19  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 13:10-23.

20  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 224.

21  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 340.

22  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 13:10-17.

23  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 13:10-17.

24  Thomas C. Oden, gen. ed., Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament II, Mark (Downer’s Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1998),  p. 24.

25  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 13:10-17.

26  Michael W. Holmes, The NIV Application Commentary 1 And 2 Thessalonians (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998), p. 207.

27  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 13:15.

28  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 13:18-23.

29  Helmut Thielicke, The Waiting Father, Sermons on the Parables of Jesus (Cambridge: The Lutterworth Press, 1959).

30  Raymond Ibrahim, Crucified Again: Exposing Islam’s New War on Christians (Washington: Regnery Publishing, Inc., 2013), p. 14.

31  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 161.

32  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 218.

33  Oden, gen. ed., Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament II, Mark, p. 57.

34  Ibid.

35  Ibid.

36  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 238.

37  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 100.

38  Ibid., p. 38.

39  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 348.

40  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 219.

41  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 83.

Barnes expands: “The tare abounds all over the East, and is a great nuisance to the farmer. It resembles the American ‘cheat (chess),’ but the “head” does not droop like cheat, nor does it branch out like oats. The grain, also, is smaller, and is arranged along the upper part of the stalk, which stands perfectly erect. The ‘taste’ is bitter, and when eaten separately, or even when diffused in ordinary bread, it causes dizziness, and often acts as a violent emetic…In short, it is a strong soporific poison, and must be carefully winnowed, and picked out of the wheat grain by grain, before grinding, or the flour is not healthy…Thus, ‘tares’ aptly represented hypocrites in the church.” (Barnes, v. 13:25).

42  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 229.

43  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 83.

44  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 229.

45  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 268.

46  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 13:29.

47  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 269.

48  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 101.

Keener adds: “Around the Sea of Galilee, it can reach a height of ten feet and has sometimes reached fifteen feet. Its usual height, however, is about four feet…kingdom might begin in obscurity, but it would culminate in glory.” (Keener, p. 83).

49  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 220,

50  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 84.

51  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 13:33.

52  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 221.

53  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 355.

54  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 13:36-43.

55  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 13:38.

56  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 356.

57  Ibid., p. 357.

58  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 230.

59  Anthony A. Hoekema, The Bible and The Future (Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Erdmans Publishing Company, 1979),  p. 274.

60  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 232.

61  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , pp. 273-74.

62  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 359.

63  Hymnary Organization. https://hymnary.org/text/thy_word_is_like_a_garden_lord

64  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 13:45-46.

65  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 13:45.

66  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 13:44-50.

67  Nun, The Sea of Galilee and Its Fishermen In The New Testament, pp.16-19.

68  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 70.

69  Nun, The Sea of Galilee and Its Fishermen In The New Testament, p.10.

70  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 13:47-50.

71  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 13:47.

72  Youngblood, Gen. Ed., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, p. 556.

73  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 276.

74  Hermeneutics: New Testament Priority : Founders Ministries.  https://founders.org/2016/05/26/hermeneutics-new-testament-priority/

75  Ray Stedman, Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:1-9. http://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/timothy.

76  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 85.

77  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 834.

78  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 13:53-56, citing Spurgeon.

79  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 278.

80  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 13:55.

81  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 279.

CHAPTER 14

1  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 40.

2  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 281.

3  Ibid., p. 282.

4  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 14:1-12.

5  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 14:1-12.

6  Calvin, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible, Commentary on Matthew, v. 14:3.

7  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 370.

8  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 14:5.

9  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , pp. 284-85.

10  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 371.

11  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 85.

12  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 285.

Morris adds: “…there is something repulsive about a princess performing before a crowd of (presumably) drunken men.” (Morris, p. 372).

13  Ibid.

14  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 14:3-12.

15  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 14:8.

16  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 14:9-12.

17  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 72.

18  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 14:9.

19  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 14:11.

20  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 14:12.

21  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 230.

22  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, pp. 374-75.

23  Pixner, With Jesus Through The Galilee According to the Fifth Gospel, pp. 69-70.

Pixner rules out any crossing of the people to the far side of the lake for several reasons.  It was too far for a crowd to travel on foot at one time, being a distance of 15-20 miles.  It was also springtime as we are told by the “green grass” mentioned in Mark.  At this time it would have been very difficult to ford the Jordan due to the normal spring runoff from the melting snows of Mt. Hermon.

24  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 14:14.

25  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 289.

26  Nun, The Sea of Galilee and Its Fishermen In The New Testament, p. 51.

27  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 86.

28  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 378.

29  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 42.

30  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 379.

31  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 291.

32  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 86.

Clarke citing Gifford adds: “…The simple reason why the Jews carried baskets with them appears to be this:  When they went into Gentile countries, they carried their own provision with them, as they were afraid of being polluted by partaking of the meat of heathens.” (Clarke, v. 14:20).

33  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 14:20.

34  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 14:20-21.

35  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 194.

36  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 86.

37  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 294.

38  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, vs. 14:13-21.

39  Mark Batterson, The Grave Robber, How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2014), p. 191.

40  Quoted in Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 14:28-33.

41  Ibid.

42  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 14:29.

43  Hymnary Organization. https://hymnary.org/text/master_the_tempest_is_raging

44  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 237.

Several sources I have cited here are from the electronic media, either from websites or from electronic research libraries.  Thus in some of these sources it is not possible to cite page numbers.  Instead, I have cited the verse or verses in Matthew  (e.g. v. verse 1:1 or vs. verses 1:5-6) about which the commentators speak.

CHAPTER 15

1  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 15:1-9.

2  Ibid.

3  Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, Practical Judaism, (Tel Aviv: Modan Publishing House Ltd., 1997), p. 84.

4  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 237.

5  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 44.

Osborne adds: “The Pharisees and teachers of the law considered these religious traditions to be as binding and as unbreakable as God’s law itself.” (Osborne, p. 300).

6  Cited in Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 15:1-2.

7  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 15:1-2.

8  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 302.

9  Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, Practical Judaism,  pp.146-147.

10  Roberts & Donaldson, Eds., The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol, 5, p. 387.

11  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 87.

12  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, v. 15:3.

13  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 15:7.

14  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 15:1-9.

15  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 15:1-9.

16  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, vs. 15:1-9.

17  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 15:10-20.

18  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 87.

19  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 14:10.

20  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 240.

21  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 305.

22  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 15:14.

23  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 397.

24  Today in the Word, August 16, 1992.

25  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 15:17.

26  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 248.

27  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 398.

28  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 836.

29  Natasha Vargas-Cooper, “Hard core-the new world of porn is revealing eternal truths about men and women,” The Atlantic, Jan/Feb 2011, pp. 97-99.

30  Archibald D. Hart & Sylvia Hart Frejd, The Digital Invasion (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2013), p. 113.

31  Michael Reagan with Jim Denney, Twice Adopted (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2004), p. 210.

32  Newsweek, Apr 12, 2004, p. 52.

33  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 15:20.

34  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 401.

35  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 249.

36  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 401.

37  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 45.

38  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 309.

39  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 404.

40  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 244.

41  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 15:27.

42  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 250.

Morris citing Filson adds: “We can be quite sure that the smile on Jesus’ face and the compassion in his eyes robbed the words of all insult and bitterness.” (Morris, p. 405).

43  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 76.

44  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 250.

45  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, vs. 15:29-31.

46  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 312.

47  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 252.

48  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 45.

49  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 314.

50  Ibid., p. 315.

51  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 958.

52  Hymnary Organization. https://hymnary.org/text/break_thou_the_bread_of_life

53  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, vs. 15:29-31.

54  Nun, The Sea of Galilee and Its Fishermen In The New Testament, p. 15.

55  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 15:39.

CHAPTER 16

1  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 16:1-4.

Guzik adds: “Tradition held that a sign done on earth could be a counterfeit from Satan, but signs done from heaven (coming in or from the sky) were assumed to be from God… This statement of Jesus reminds us that signs alone convert no one.” (Guzik, vs. 16:1-4).

2  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 253.

3  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 317.

4  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 16:1.

5  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 16:1-4.

6  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 16:2.

7  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 16:4.

8  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 16:4.

9  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 16:1-4.

10  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 77.

11  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 958.

12  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 16:8.

13  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 16:1-12.

14  Guthrie & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 837.

15  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 16:14.

16  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 78.

17  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 16:16.

18  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 421.

19  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 47.

20  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 90.

21  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 16:17-19.

22  Ibid.

23  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 252.

24  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 16:17-20.

25  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 16:18.

26  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 959.

27  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 16:16-18.

28  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 16:18.

29  Youngblood, Gen. Ed., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, p. 1164.

30  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 959.

31  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 16:16-18.

32  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 425.

33  Ibid., p. 424.

34  Guthrie & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 837.

35  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 16:17-19.

36  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 16:17-20.

37  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 426.

38  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 328.

39  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 16:20-23.

40  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 261.

41  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 16:21.

42  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 838.

43  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 80.

44  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 262.

Keener adds: “Peter had divulged Jesus’ secret identity (16:16) yet retained a faulty concept of what that identity entailed.” (Keener, p. 91).

45  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 16:23.

46  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 80.

47  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 259.

48  “World Watch List,” Open Doors, www.world watchlist.us/world.watch-list-countries.

49  Allen Jr., The Global War on Christians, p. 35.

50  N. T. Wright, Surprised By Hope, Rethinking Heaven, he Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church (New York: Harper, Collins, 2008), p. 280.

51  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 431.

52  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 49.

53  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1963), p. 99.

54  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 16:25.

55  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 16:21-28.

56  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 16:27.

57  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 434.

CHAPTER 17

1  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 50.

2  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 262.

3  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 17:1-8.

4  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 17:1-2.

5  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 17:1-8.

6  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 17:2.

7  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 17:1-2.

8  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, v. 17:3.

France adds: “The significance of Moses and Elijah here has been variously understood as (a) representing the law and the prophets (though the fact that Elijah is not represented among the prophetic writings of the Old Testament is against this); (b) two of the three Old Testament men of God who traditionally did not die (Enoch was the other; according to Deut. 24 Moses did die, but his burial by God had developed by the first century AD into a belief in his ‘assumption’)…” (France, p. 266).

9  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 50.

10  Calvin, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible, Commentary on Matthew, v. 17:4.

11  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 342.

12  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 17:5.

13  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 342.

14  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 17:6.

15  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 17:1-8.

16  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 82.

17  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 17:9.

18  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 17:9.

19  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 17:15.

20  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 82.

21  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 345.

22  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 17:17.

23  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 168.

24  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 347.

25  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, vs. 17:19-21.

26  Randy Clark, Power to Heal (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 2015), p. 57.

27  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 268.

28  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 92.

Guthrie adds: “This mountain must be taken figuratively of any seeming immovable obstacle (cf. 21:21f).” (Guthrie & Motyer, p. 839).

29  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 17:21.

30  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 17:24-27.

31  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 269.

32  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 17:24-27.

33  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 17:25.

34  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 17:24-27.

35  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 17:24-26.

36  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 271.

37  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 17:24-27.

38  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 17:24.

39  Nun, The Sea of Galilee and Its Fishermen In The New Testament, p. 8.

40  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p.  272.

41  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 17:24-27.

CHAPTER 18

1  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 18:1-4.

2  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, vs. 18:1-4.

3  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 18:1-35.

4  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, vs. 18:1-2.

Guzik adds: “The fact that the child came when Jesus called says something about Jesus. He was the sort of man that children would come to willingly.” (Guzik, vs. 18:2-4).

5  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 18:2.

6  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 274.

7  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 459.

Coffman expands: “The particular qualities of little children commended by Jesus are humility, freedom from prejudice, teachableness, lovableness, trustfulness, faith, freedom from anxiety, and innocence.” (Coffman, v. 18:4).

8  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 53.

9  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 461.

10  Ibid., p. 462.

11  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 354.

12  David Kupelian, The Marketing of Evil, (Nashville: WND Books, 2005),  p. 78.

13  Ibid., p. 131.

14  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 18:6.

15  Craig A. Evans, Word Biblical Commentary, Mark 8:27—16:20 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001),  p. 70.

16  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 18:7.

17  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 53.

18  Sermons Illustrated July/August 1990.

19  Wikihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Ralston

20  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 356.

21  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 463.

22  Hart & Frejd, The Digital Invasion, p. 113.

23  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 85.

24  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 276.

25  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 93.

Barclay adds: “…the Jews had a very highly-developed angelology. Every nation had its angel; every natural force, such as the wind and the thunder and the lightning and the rain, had its angel. They even went the length of saying, very beautifully, that every blade of grass had its angel. So, then, they believed that every child had his guardian angel.” (Barclay, vs. 18:5-10).

26  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 357.

27  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 18:12-14.

28  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 277.

29  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 54.

30  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 467.

31  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 359.

32  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, vs. 18:15-17.

33  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 85.

34  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 280.

35  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 839.

36  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 18:17.

37  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 469.

38  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 361.

39  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 54.

40  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, pp. 94-95.

41  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 18:19-20.

42  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 18:20.

43  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 86.

44  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 18:21-35.

45  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 55.

46  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 363.

47  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 283.

48  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 55.

49  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 363.

50  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 473.

51  Ibid.

52  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 18:25-27, citing Carson.

53  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 474.

54  Quoted in Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 18:25-27.

55  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 283.

56  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 96.

57  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 55.

58  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 281.

59  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 18:21-35.

CHAPTER 19

1  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 19:1-2.

2  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 87.

3  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 963.

4  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 282.

5  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 87.

Utley adds regarding “testing Him.”  “This term (peirazō) had a negative connotation of ‘testing with a view toward destruction.’” (Utley, v. 19:3).

6  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 19:1-9.

7  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 368.

8  Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2018/january/mommy-mommy-i-dont-want-to-be-a-boy-little-girls-reaction-to-radical-sex-ed-program-says-it-all

9  Michael P. Foley, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Christianity (Washington DC: Regenry Publishing, 2017), p. 77.

10  Walsh, The Unholy Trinity, Blocking the Left’s Assault on Life, Marriage, and Gender, p. 161.

11  Ibid., p. 159.

12  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, vs. 19:4-6.

13  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 284.

14  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 840.

15  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 56.

16  Ibid.

17  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 19:4-6.

18  Ibid., vs. 19:7-9.

19  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 371.

20  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 96.

21  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 483.

22  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 88.

Morris expands: “But the term was used more widely than that and came to signify irregular sexual unions of all kinds…except for marital unfaithfulness.” (Morris, p. 483).

23  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 19:9.

24  Charles Colson with Ellen Santilli Vaughn, The Body: being a light in the darkness (Dallas: Word Publishing, 1992), p. 304.

25  Michael & Denney, Twice Adopted , p. 46.

26  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 19:10.

27  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 19:10-11.

28  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 963.

Barclay adds: “… One of the tragedies of the early Church was the case of Origen. When he was young he took this text quite literally and castrated himself, although he came to see that he was in error.” (Barclay, vs. 19:10-12).

29  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, v. 19:3.

30  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 840.

31  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 294.

32  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 19:13-15.

33  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 19:13-15.

34  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 89.

35  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 59.

36  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 89.

37  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 288.

38  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 490.

39  Ibid., p. 489.

40  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 19:17.

41  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 59.

42  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 19:16-22.

43  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 59.

44  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 963.

45  Quoted in France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 289.

46  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 491.

47  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 378.

48  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 19:21.

49  Quoted in Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 491.

50  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 200.

51  Oden, gen. ed., Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament II,
Mark
, p. 142.

52  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 201.

53  Ibid., p. 60.

54  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 299.

55  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 19:23-30.

56  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 380.

57  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 493.

Osborne enhances: “…the Greek word refers to a needle that is used with thread…” (Osborne, p. 381).

58  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 300.

59  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 98.

Morris adds: “Judging is sometimes used in the sense of ruling, and we cannot rule out such an understanding of the present passages.” (Morris, p. 496).

60  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 19:28.

61  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 301.

CHAPTER 20

1  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 20:1-16.

2  Wine Inspector. http://www.winespectator.com/drvinny/show/id/48698

“Rain is the worst during harvest! First off, if it’s cloudy and overcast, the grapes are going to have a harder time getting ripe. They need sunlight. More than that, if it rains, the grapes will take on more water, which means the flavors become dilute and the sugar/acid balance that winemakers are looking for gets out of whack. With too much rain, the grape berries start to swell and even split, and then you have to worry about spoilage, mold and mildew.” (Wine Inspector, id/48698)

3  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 20:1-16.

4  Ibid.

5  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 302.

6  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 20:1, citing Osborne.

7  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 20:2.

8  Calvin, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible, Commentary on Matthew, v. 20:1.

9  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 500.

10  Ibid.

11  David Reagan, God’s Plan ForThe Ages (McKinney, TX: Lamb & Lion Ministries, 2005), p. 268.

12  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 91.

13  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 292, citing Beare.

14  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 498.

15  Ibid., p. 501.

16  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 20:9.

17  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 20:1-16.

18  Ibid.

19  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 293.

20  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 502.

21  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 293.

22  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 20:11-15.

23  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 20: 1-16.

24  Ibid.

25  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 91.

26  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 20:13-16.

27  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 504.

28  Ibid., p. 505.

29  Hymnary Organization. https://hymnary.org/text/rock_of_ages_cleft_for_me_let_me_hide

30  Quoted in Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, v. 20:16.

31  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 20:16.

32  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 506.

33  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 20:17-19, citing Spurgeon.

34  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 841.

35  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 20:17-19.

36  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 508.

37  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 20:20.

38  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 509.

39  Ibid., p. 507.

40  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 20:20-28.

41  Ibid.

42  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 295.

43  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 20:22.

44  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 20:22.

45  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 397.

Barclay adds: “He came to occupy not a throne, but a cross…They looked for a conqueror; they received one broken on a cross. They looked for the raging Lion of Judah; they received the gentle Lamb of God…Jesus summed up his whole life in one poignant sentence: ‘The Son of Man came to give his life a ransom for many.’” (Barclay, vs. 20:20-28).

46  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 510.

47  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 20:24.

48  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 398.

49  Lapin, Business Secrets From The Bible, p. 138.

50  Ibid., pp. 45, 46.

51  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 61.

52  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 92.

53  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 400.

54  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 20:28.

Guthrie expands: “Ransom (Gk. lytron) means a costly act of deliverance without specifying to whom the price is paid.” (Guthrie, p. 842).

55  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 20:24-28.

56  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 514.

57  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 965.

58  Calvin, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible, Commentary on Matthew, v. 20:29.

59  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 401.

60  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 20:32.

61  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 515.

CHAPTER 21

1  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 519.

2  Oden, gen. ed., Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament II,
Mark
, p. 155.

3  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 301.

4  Ibid.

5  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 311.

“Jesus is consciously making preparations to enter Jerusalem after the fashion of Zech. 9:9, with echoes of Isa. 62:11.  Zechariah’s prophecy was widely interpreted in rabbinic literature as messianic…”

6  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 100.

7  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 21:5.

8  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 313.

9  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 21:1-11.

10  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 21:1-6.

11  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 405.

12  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 21:1-6.

13  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 21:1-11.

14  Ibid.

15  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 410.

16  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 21:10.

17  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 303.

18  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 313.

19  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 95.

20  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 21:12-14.

21  Ibid.

22  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 21: 12-13, citing Bruce.

23  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 315, citing Neusner.

24  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 315.

25  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 305.

26  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 528.

27  Ibid.

28  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 21:16.

29  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 530.

30  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 339.

Osborne adds: “In March, the fig trees had small edible buds; in April came the large green leaves. Then in May, the buds would fall off and be replaced by the normal crop of figs…the green leaves should have indicated the presence of the edible buds that Jesus expected to find on the tree…The absence of buds indicated that the tree would not produce figs that year. The tree looked promising but offered no fruit…this was an acted-out parable intended to teach the disciples. By cursing the fig tree, Jesus was showing his anger at religion without substance.” (Osborne, p. 416).

31  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 531.

32  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 102.

33  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 532.

34  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 418.

35  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 533.

36  Ibid, p. 534.

37  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 309.

38  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 843.

Barclay expands: “Then they gave the lamest of all lame answers. They said, ‘We do not know.’ If ever men stood self-condemned, they did. They ought to have known; it was part of the duty of the Sanhedrin, of which they were members, to distinguish between true and false prophets; and they were saying that they were unable to make that distinction. Their dilemma drove them into a shameful self-humiliation… The true question is not: ‘What is it safe to say?’ but, ‘What is it right to say?’” (Barclay, vs. 21:23-27).

39  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 420.

40  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 21:28-32.

41  Ministry. http://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/be-real

42  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 97.

43  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 422.

44  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 21:33.

45  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 311.

46  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 21:33-46.

47  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 103.

48  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 541.

49  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 358.

50  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 123.

51  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 312.

53  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 21:37.

53  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 21:37.

54  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 541.

55  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 206.

56  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 244.

57  Ibid., p. 103.

58  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 424.

59  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 21:33-46.

60  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, pp. 103-04.

61  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 21:43.

62  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 544.

France adds: “This is not the Gentiles as such (that would require the plural ethnesin, not the singular ethnei), but a people of God derived from all nations, Jew and Gentile, who now, as 1 Peter 2:9 makes clear, constitute the ‘holy nation, God’s own people;, which was Israel’s prerogative according to Exodus 19:5-6.” (France, p. 313).

CHAPTER 22

1  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 967.

2  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p.104.

3  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 843.

4  http://www.epm.org/resources/2010/Mar/5/can-you-know-youre-going-heaven/

5  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 438.

6  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 327.

7  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 428.

Kretzmann adds: “A vivid description of the elaborate preparations for an Oriental wedding-feast, to point a moral in the matter of the kingdom of God…but often lasted for days, Jdg. 14:17… This second calling seems to agree exactly with Eastern custom, Est. 6:14.” (Kretzmann, 22:1-4).

8  Calvin, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible, Commentary on Matthew, v.  22:5.

9  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 327.

10  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 104.

11  Quoted in  Dinesh D’Souza, What’s So Great About Christianity, (Washington: Regenery Publishing Inc., 2007), p. 161.

12  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 22:1-10.

13  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 22:5.

14  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 968.

15  Ibid.

16  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 22:10.

17  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 329.

Clarke expands: “Among the Asiatics, garments called caftans, great numbers of which each nobleman has ordinarily ready in his wardrobe, are given to persons whom he wishes to honor: to refuse to accept or wear such a dress would be deemed the highest insult.” (Clarke, v. 22:11).

18  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 431.

19  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 22:13.

20  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 329.

21  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 968.

22  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 65.

23  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 317.

24  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 105.

25  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 22:15-22.

26  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 434.

27  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 99.

28  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 434.

29  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 105.

30  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 22:19.

31  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 435.

32  Ibid., p. 433.

33  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 22:23-33.

34  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 22:23-28.

35  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 66.

Morris adds: “This was a very old custom, as we see from its being practiced in patriarchal times (Gen. 38:8), but most interpreters agree that it was not widely observed in the first century. (Morris, p. 559).

36  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 437.

37  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 106.

38  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 22:30.

39  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 22:30-33.

40  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 321.

41  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 440.

42  Ibid., p. 441.

43  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 562.

44  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 441.

45  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 101.

46  My Jewish Learning. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-shema/

47  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 969.

48  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 443.

49  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 844.

50  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 335.

51  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  v. 22:40.

52  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 22:40.

53  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 22:41-46.

54  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 337.

55  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 107.

CHAPTER 23

1  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 569.

2  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 23:1-39.

Pett adds: “Many find Jesus’ words here difficult because they do not fit in with their picture of Jesus. But there is actually nothing here that Jesus has not said previously.” (Pett, vs. 23:1-39).

3  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 572.

4  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 23:1-4, citing Carson.

5  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 448.

6  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 341.

7  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 23:1-39.

8  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 574.

9  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 23:1-4.

10  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 32.

11  Ibid., p. 34.

12  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 23:7.

13  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 23:7.

14  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 343.

15  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 23:5-10.

16  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 23:8-9.

17  Ibid., v. 23:12.

18  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, v. 23:13.

19  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 452.

20  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 579.

21  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 23:14.

22  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 109.

23  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 580.

24  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, v. 23:15.

25  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 330.

Osborne enhances: “…The idea was that a person would be bound if he swore by something greater than himself…” (Osborne, p. 454).

26  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 580.

27  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 23:18.

28  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 23:23.

29  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 23:23-24.

30  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 23:24.

31  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 345.

32  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 332.

33  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, pp. 109-110.

34  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 23:25.

35  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 584.

36  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 105.

Keener augments: “Nothing spread ritual impurity as severely as a corpse…Pharisees believed that one contracted impurity if even one’s shadow touched a corpse or grave.” (Keener, p. 110).

37  Ibid.

38  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 23:27-28.

39  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 23:29-33.

40  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word, vs. 23:29-36.

41  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 586.

42  Ibid., p. 587.

43  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 845.

44  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 348.

45  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 333.

46  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 588.

47  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 23:24-26.

48  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 334.

Clarke supplements: “Jerome says that, in the Gospel of the Nazarenes, it was Jehoiada, instead of Barachiah. That Jehoiada and Barachiah have the very same meaning, the praise or blessing of Jehovah.” (Clarke, v. 23:35).

49  Josephus, Flavius, Wars of the Jews, Bk. 6. Ch.  9. v. 3.

50  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 106.

51  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 845.

52  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 592.

CHAPTER 24

1  Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Bk. 15. Ch. 11. v. 2.

2  Rousseau and Arav, Jesus & His World, p. 280.

3  Josephus, Wars, 5.5.6.

4  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament,  p. 246.

France adds: “…Jewish apocalyptic belief in Jesus’ time was that the temple was indestructible.” (France, p. 340).

5  Evans, Word Biblical Commentary, Mark 8:27—16:20,  p. 299.

6  Western Wall, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Wall.

7  Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary on Luke, vs. 21:5-6. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/luke-21/.

8  Josephus, Wars,  6.8.3.

9  Ibid., 6.6.3.

10  Ibid., 7.1.1.

11  Theopedia. https://www.theopedia.com/premillennialism

12  Theopedia. https://www.theopedia.com/postmillennialism

13  Theopedia. https://www.theopedia.com/amillennialism

14  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament,  p. 247.

15  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 24:7.

16  Ibid.

17  Evans, Word Biblical Commentary, Mark 8:27—16:20,  p. 308.

Clarke expands regarding earthquakes: “…particularly one at Crete in the reign of Claudius, one at Smyrna, Miletus, Chios, Samos. See Grotius. One at Rome, mentioned by Tacitus; and one at Laodicea in the reign of Nero, in which the city was overthrown, as were likewise Hierapolis and Colossae. …One at Campania, mentioned by Seneca; and one at Rome, in the reign of Galba, mentioned by Suetonius in the life of that emperor. Add to all these, a dreadful one in Judea, mentioned by Josephus (War, b. iv. c. 4).” (Clarke, v. 24:7).

18  Ibid.

19  Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famine

20  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 599.

21  John L. Allen Jr., The Global War on Christians, p. 35.

22  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 24:9-10.

23  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 972.

24  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 469.

25  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 845.

26  Josephus, Wars, 6.5.2.

27  Barclay, A New Testament Wordbook , pp. 59-60.

28  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 24:13.

29  Reagan, God’s Plan ForThe Ages, p. 268.

30  Philip Jenkins, The Next Christendom (Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 2002), p. 2.

31  Ibid., p. 56.

32  Ibid., p. 71.

33  D’Souza, What’s So Great About Christianity, p. 9.

34  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 357.

35  Barclay, The Gospel of Mark, The New Daily Study Bible, p. 361.

36  Ibid., p. 362.

37  John R. Donahue, Mark, Harper’s Bible Commentary (New York: Harper & Row, 1988), p. 1002.

38  Eusebius Pamphilus, Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, Popular Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Book House, 1976), p. 86.

39  Barclay, The Gospel of Mark, The New Daily Study Bible, p. 360.

40  Barclay,The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 24:15-22.

41  Eusebius, Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, p. 86.

42  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament,  p. 113.

Utley adds: “It has been said that one could walk across Jerusalem on the roofs of houses.” (Utley, v. 24:17).

43  Josephus, Wars, 5.12.3.

44  Evans, Word Biblical Commentary, Mark 8:27—16:20,  p. 322.

45  Josephus, Wars, 6.3.4.

46  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament,  p. 113.

47  Josephus, Wars, 5.11.1.

48  Ibid., 6.8.5

49  In fact, several of the earliest church fathers actually comment upon the awful time of tribulation coming upon the church at the end of the age.  Hermas (c. AD 150) says: “Happy are you who endure the great tribulation that is coming.  And happy are they who will not deny their own life.”  Hippolytus (c. AD 200) speaks of the tyrant who will “…reign and persecute the church, which flees from city to city, and seeks concealment in the wilderness among the mountains.”   Irenaeus (c. AD 180) says: “For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which they are crowned with incorruption – when they overcome.”  (cf. Roberts & Donaldson, Eds., The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1, p. 558, Vol. 2  p. 11, & Vol. 5. P. 217).

50  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 360.

51  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, vs. 24:23, 26.

52  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 361.

53  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 476.

54  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 402.

55  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 24:24.

56  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament,  p. 114.

57  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 110.

58  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 478.

59  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament,  p. 114.

60  Oden, gen. ed., Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament II,

Mark , p. 186.

61  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 362.

62  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 845.

63  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 610.

64  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 110.

Utley enhances: “It is possible that this is a connection to Isa. 60:1-3. The ‘sign’ would be the light of the Shekinah cloud of glory. Earthly lights fail, but God’s light (cf. Gen. 1:3), the true morning star, shines forth!” (Utley, v. 24:30).

65  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 610.

66  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 363.

67  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 111.

68  John Lightfoot, Commentary on Mark, John Lightfoot Commentary on the Gospels, 1675,  v. 13:22. http://www.studylight.org/com/jlc/view.cgi?book=mr&chapter=002>.

69  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 366.

70  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 974.

71  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 115.

72  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 24:42-51.

73  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 112.

74  Preaching.com. https://www.preaching.com/sermon-illustrations/illustration-keeping-watch/

75  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 485.

76  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 74.

77  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 24:48.

78  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 113.

CHAPTER 25

1  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 25:1.

2  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 846.

Keener expands: “It is unlikely that ‘lamps’ refers to the small Herodian oil lamps…all the evidence points instead to torches, which were also used in Greek and Roman wedding ceremonies.” (Keener, p. 116).

3  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 621.

4  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 25:1-13.

5  Ibid.

6  Ibid.

7  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 353.

8  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 974.

9  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 25:2-13.

10  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 25:7.

11  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 354.

12  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 25:8.

13  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 25:8.

14  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 116.

15  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 25:1-13.

16  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 25:10.

17  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 489.

Morris adds: “We do not have complete information about wedding customs in the first-century…” (Morris, p. 620).

18  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 25:10.

19  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 25:12.

20  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 626.

21  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 356.

22  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 117.

23  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 627.

24  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 356.

25  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 114.

26  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 355.

27  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 75.

28  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 372, citing Bruner.

29  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , pp. 490-91.

30  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 117.

31  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 628.

32  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 25:19-23.

33  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 117.

34  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 75.

35  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 373.

36  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 975.

37  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 25:19-23.

38  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 492.

39  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 25:24.

40  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 114.

41  Quoted in  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 25:24.

42  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 117.

43  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 25:26-30.

44  Ibid.

45  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 493.

46  Quoted in Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 25:29.

47  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 632.

48  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 493.

49  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 25:30.

50  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 25:31-46.

51  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 633.

52  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 25:31.

53  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 75.

54  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 118.

55  Calvin, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible, Commentary on Matthew, v. 25:32.

56  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 25:32.

57  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 115.

58  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 25:32.

59  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 118.

60  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 636.

61  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 25:34.

62  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 25:31-46.

Osborne expands: “This parable is not teaching salvation by good deeds, but evidence of salvation through good deeds.” (Osborne, p. 496).

63  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 638.

64  John W. Whitehead, A Government Of Wolves, The Emerging American Police State (New York: Select Books, Inc., 2013), p. 193.

65  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 639.

66  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 118.

67  Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew, v. 25:40.

68  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 25:41.

Osborne adds: “This is the place of eternal fire (Matt. 5:22; 10:28; Mk. 9:43; Lk. 12:5; Jam. 3:6; Rev. 19:20) prepared for the devil, his angels, and all those who do not believe in Christ (Rev. 20:9-10).” (Osborne, p. 490).

69  Ibid.

70  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 116.

71  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 490.

72  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 641.

CHAPTER 26

1  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 26:1.

2  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 382.

Blomberg expands: “This is still Tuesday.  Matthew apparently does not record any events that took place on Wednesday…The most likely year in which this date occurred at this time of the week is AD 30. The other main option that could fit in with the rest of NT chronology is AD 33.” (Blomberg, p. 383).

3  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 116.

Guthrie adds: “Matthew alone draws attention to Jesus’ knowledge of the connection between the Passover and his death.” (Guthrie, p. 847).

4  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 642.

5  Josephus, Antiquities, 18.4.3.

6  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 502.

7  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 26:3-5.

8  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 383.

9  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 365.

10  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 119.

11  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 646.

12  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 413.

13  See, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spikenard.

14  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 413.

15  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 26:7.

Barclay adds: “The woman took the most precious thing she had and poured it out on Jesus. Jewish women were very fond of perfume; and often they carried a little alabaster phial of it round their necks… this phial of perfume represented very nearly a whole year’s wages for a working man.” (Barclay, vs. 26:6-13).

16  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 26:6-13.

17  Ibid.

18  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 77.

19  Ibid.

20  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , pp. 415-416.

21  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 506.

22  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 977.

23  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 129.

24  Oden, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament II,
Mark,
p. 197.

25  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 26:14-16.

26  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 129.

27  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 26:14-16.

28  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 26:14-16.

29  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 652.

30  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 369.

31  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 26:17-20.

32  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 208.

33  Ibid., pp. 212, 222.

34  Ibid., p. 220.

35  Ibid.

36  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 847.

37  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 509.

“The following three attempts have been made to solve this apparent problem: 1 There were two calendars being used to determine the day of Passover…Jesus and the disciples followed a solar calendar, possibly used at Qumran…The two calendars differed by one day…2. Jesus and his disciples had the Passover meal Wednesday night, one day early, in anticipation of Passover. This view explains John 18:28 and still allows Jesus to be the Passover Lamb – crucified at the same time as the Passover lambs…Furthermore, it allows for a full three-day period when Jesus was in the grave. ..3. Jesus and the disciples did eat the meal on the official day of Passover. In AD 30 (the year of Jesus’ crucifixion), the Passover was celebrated on Thursday evening (the fourteenth of Nisan)…”

38  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 26:16.

39  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 215.

40  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 78.

41  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 26:22.

42  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 656.

43  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 120.

44  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 26:24.

45  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 26:25.

46  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 372.

47  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 26:20-25.

48  William Barclay, The Gospel of Mark, The New Daily Study Bible (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1975, 2001), p. 389.

49  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 516.

50  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 391.

51  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 26:26.

52  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 978.

53  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 392.

54  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 847.

55  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 130.

56  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 376.

57  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 26:31-35.

58  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 848.

59  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 121.

60  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 26:34.

61  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 394.

62  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 216.

63  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 26:36-46.

64  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 79.

65  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 26:37.

66  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 848.

67  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 26:39.

68  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 435.

69  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 216.

70  Hymnary Organization. https://hymnary.org/text/there_were_ninety_and_nine_that_safely

71  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 672.

72  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 26:45-46.

73  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 26:40-46.

74  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 26:47-50.

75  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 122.

76  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 380.

77  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 79.

78  Ibid., p. 217.

79  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 399.

80  Ibid., p. 400.

81  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 123.

82  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 980.

83  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 381.

84  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 122.

85  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 848.

86  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 26:59-68.

87  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 123.

88  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 26:59-68.

89  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 401.

90  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 26:60.

91  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 534.

92  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 123.

93  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 26:64.

Morris expands: “It was not blasphemy for anyone to claim to be the Messiah (it might be mistaken, but it was not blasphemous), and there was a sense in which a man might be called a son of God (cf. 2 Sam. 7:14; 1 Chron. 22:10). But what Jesus had now said went far beyond that.” (Morris, p. 685).

94  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 535.

95  Ibid.

96  Meyer, F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible Commentary,’  vs. 26:47-56.

97  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 124.

98  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 26:57-58.

99  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 687.

100  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 26:57-59.

101  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 539.

102  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 690.

CHAPTER 27

1  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 81.

2  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 389.

3  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 691.

4   Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 27:1.

5  Rousseau and Arav, Jesus & His World,  p. 226.

6  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 692.

7  Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark , p. 454.

8  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 407.

9  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 27:3.

10  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 849.

11  Goodreads.  https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/14196-the-moving-finger-writes-and-having-writ-moves-on-nor

12  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 27:3-10.

13  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 543.

14  Ibid.

15  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 27:4.

16  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 27:4.

17  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 27:3-10.

18  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 543.

19  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 408.

20  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 696.

21  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 408.

22  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 81.

23  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 27:1-2.

24  Ibid.

25  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 126.

26  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 710.

27  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 27:11-14.

28  Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 81.

29  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 27:15-18.

30  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 126.

31  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 548.

Blomberg adds: “Several important manuscripts and versions…add in both vv. 16 and 17 that Barabbas’s forename was “Jesus”…Certainly, having both characters named Jesus tightens the parallelism and makes the irony of the crowd’s response all the greater…” (Blomberg, p. 411).

32  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 126.

33  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 27:19.

34  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 27:13.

35  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 27:19.

36  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 412.

Coffman contributes: “…the priests left nothing to chance, and did a ‘hard sell’ on the multitude…It was the voice of the people that said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us.’ It was the voice of the people that turned out the garlands and oxen to do sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:11).’” (Coffman, v. 27:20).

37  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 127.

38  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 27:20-23.

39  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 982.

40  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 396.

41  Hymnary Organization. https://hymnary.org/text/jesus_is_standing_in_pilates_hall_friend

42  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 699.

43  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 849.

44  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 398.

45  Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, Second Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1987, 1993), p. 403.

46  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 553.

47  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 414.

48  Hymnary Organization. https://hymnary.org/text/they_tried_my_lord_and_master

49  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 27:27-31.

50  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 553.

51  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p.128.

Keener supplements: “The Praetorium in this period was Herod the Great’s old palace, where the Roman prefect stayed when he visited Jerusalem. A cohort of six hundred men was normally stationed in Jerusalem (at the fortress Antonia on the Temple Mount), reinforced by troops who accompanied Pilate to the feast in case they were necessary for riot control.” (Keener, pp. 126-27).

52  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 399.

53  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 982.

54  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 27:29.

55  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 127.

56  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 415.

57  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 554.

58  Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 133.

59  Ibid.

60  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 27:32-44.

61  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 27:32.

62  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 400.

France adds: “the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (which is outside the city wall of Herodian Jerusalem) seems the most likely location…” (France, p. 400).

63  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 555.

64  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 27:34.

65  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 27:34.

66  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 27:27-31.

67  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 416.

68  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 27:32-44.

69  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 27:36.

70  Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 83.

71  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 558.

72  Quoted in Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 27:38-44.

73  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 717.

74  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 127.

75  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 27:45-50.

76  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 719.

Keener expands: “…both Jews and pagans considered eclipses and other darkening of the sky bad omens.” (Keener, p. 128).

77  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 27:45.

78  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 130.

79  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 404.

80  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 27:46-49.

81  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 27:46.

82  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 404.

83  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 130.

84  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 27:50.

85  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  v. 27:50.

86  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 560.

87  France (p. 405); Keener (p. 128) and Utley (vs. 27:31-35), all say that it was the veil separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place.

88  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 27:51.

89  Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 84.

90  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 27:51-56.

91  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 562.

92  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 128.

Guzik adds: “Coming out of the graves after his resurrection: This is one of the strangest passages in the Gospel of Matthew. We don’t know about this event from any other source, and Matthew doesn’t tell us very much. So we really don’t know what this was all about, but apparently these resuscitated saints died once again, because they were raised from the dead in the sense that Lazarus was – not to resurrection life, but to die again” (Guzik, vs, 27:15-56).

93  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 27:52.

94  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 27:51-56.

95  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 408.

96  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 422.

97  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, vs. 27:57-58.

98  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, vs. 27:57-61.

99  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 728.

100  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, v. 27:57.

101  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 129.

102  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 729.

103  Ibid.

104  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 27:62-66.

105  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 27:63.

106  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 424.

107  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 129.

108  Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Matthew, v. 27:66.

109  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 732.

CHAPTER 28

1  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 569.

2  Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 28:4.

3  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 733.

4  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 412.

5  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 426.

6  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 411.

7  Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 85.

“Anyone who stole the body would have taken the body in the grave clothes…This was hardly the scene of a grave robbery.” (p. 86).

Osborne adds: “John records that the linen cloths that had been wrapped around Jesus’ body were left as if Jesus had passed right through them.” (Osborne, p. 571).

8  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 28:6.

9  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 413.

10  Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 130.

11  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 850.

12  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 28:7.

13  Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 85.

14  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, v. 28:8.

15  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 28:1-10.

16  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 573.

17  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 428.

18  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 28:4-6.

19  Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 86.

20  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 429.

21  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 28:11-15.

22  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 574.

23  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 984.

24  Guzik, Matthew, Enduring Word,  vs. 28:11-15.

25  Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew, vs. 28:12-13.

26  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 416.

27  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 575.

28  Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/76-a-lie-can-travel-half-way-around-the-world-while

29  Kretzmann, Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary, Commentary on Matthew, v. 28:15.

30  Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 985.

31  Osborne, Gen. Ed., Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew , p. 576.

32  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 418.

33  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 430.

34  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 418.

35  Ibid., p. 419.

36  Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 28:18.

Wiersbe enhances: “The Greek verb translated go is actually not a command but a present participle (going). The only command in the entire Great Commission is “make disciples: (“teach all nations”). ..The term disciples was the most popular name for the early believers…Apprentice might be an equivalent term.” (Wiersbe, p. 87).

37  Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament, Commentary on Matthew, v. 28:19.

38  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 747.

39  Barker & Kohlenberger , eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, p. 134.

40  Blomberg, The New American Commentary, Vol. 22, Matthew , p. 432.

41  France, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 1, Matthew, p. 420.

42  Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 2, vs. 28:16-20.

43  Guthrie, & Motyer,  Eds., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 850.

44  Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 749.