Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
(From Constable's commentary) "Miracles will give confirmation where there is faith, but not where there is willful unbelief."
v.1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
(From Constable's commentary) "Miracles will give confirmation where there is faith, but not where there is willful unbelief."
v.4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.
This is the second time in Matthew that Jesus has spoken of the sign of Jonah (I wrote more on this last time, 12:39)
v.4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.
This is the second time in Matthew that Jesus has spoken of the sign of Jonah (I wrote more on this last time, 12:39)
v.11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Jesus didn’t expect to be taken literally. Not everything Jesus said should be taken literally. Need to look at the context.
v.11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Jesus didn’t expect to be taken literally. Not everything Jesus said should be taken literally. Need to look at the context.
v.12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The teaching of the Pharisees and Sadduccees is like yeast it gets into people’s minds and pervades their whole thinking. Their teaching is about outward appearances, conformity to external standards, man-made rules etc.
v.12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The teaching of the Pharisees and Sadduccees is like yeast it gets into people’s minds and pervades their whole thinking. Their teaching is about outward appearances, conformity to external standards, man-made rules etc.
v.14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“Some say” this or that but none of the people say: we think you are the Messiah. The Jewish leaders refused to acknowledge that Jesus fulfilled much OT prophecy because their preconceived ideas refused to allow them to recognise this.
v.14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“Some say” this or that but none of the people say: we think you are the Messiah. The Jewish leaders refused to acknowledge that Jesus fulfilled much OT prophecy because their preconceived ideas refused to allow them to recognise this.
v.22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
(From Constable commentary) Apparently Peter's understanding of Messiah did not include a Suffering Servant, which almost everyone in Israel rejected as well. "Like many modern readers of the Bible, Peter did not want to accept what did not agree with his hopes and ambitions."
v.22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
(From Constable commentary) Apparently Peter's understanding of Messiah did not include a Suffering Servant, which almost everyone in Israel rejected as well. "Like many modern readers of the Bible, Peter did not want to accept what did not agree with his hopes and ambitions."
v.24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Denying yourself is not denying material possessions, pleasures, comforts etc. It is allowing God to rule your life instead of ruling it yourself so it is denying your will.
v.24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Denying yourself is not denying material possessions, pleasures, comforts etc. It is allowing God to rule your life instead of ruling it yourself so it is denying your will.
v.26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
So easy to get caught up in the moment and forget the long term consequences of our actions.
v.26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
So easy to get caught up in the moment and forget the long term consequences of our actions.