18 Here is the account of the birth of Jesus Christ: when Mary, His mother, had been promised to Joseph, and before they were actually married, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

COMMENT: It is interesting that Joseph was referred to as Jesus' father in this list of the generations, even though Mary was pregnant with Jesus by the Holy Spirit.

19 When Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, learned that she was with child, he planned to quietly annul the marriage without publicly disgracing her. 20 After having made up his mind to do this, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The Child conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." 21 "She shall have a Son and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." 22 All of this was done in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken by His prophet who said, 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translates to mean, 'God with us.'"

COMMENT:

Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel."

Isaiah 9:6-7 "A child will be born to us, a son given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." [7] "The increase of His government and peace will have no end upon the throne of David and over His kingdom. He will order and establish it with judgment and justice forever. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will perform this."

24 Then Joseph woke up and did as the angel of the LORD had instructed him and took Mary as his wife. 25 However, she remained a virgin until she gave birth to her Son. And Joseph named Him Jesus.

Matthew 2 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during king Herod's reign. After this wise men came from the east to Jerusalem.

COMMENT:

Micah 5:2 But as for you, Bethlehem Ephratah, you are too small to be among the clans of Judah. Yet from you I will send One forth to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from of old, from the days of eternity past.

2 They asked, "Where is the One Who had been born King of the Jews? We have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

COMMENT: These wise men must have been converts to biblical truth as a result of Daniel's influence in Babylon and Persia. And Herod had enough knowledge of Jewish beliefs to see something to worry about.

3 When Herod heard this he was troubled, as was all of Jerusalem.

COMMENT: Herod was a wicked man who would stop at nothing to do away with any even supposed rival. In a way God could arrange no better way to get the attention of the Jewish leaders. Imagine foreigners coming with this question. Yet we have no evidence that they went to investigate.

4 Calling together the chief priests and scribes of the people, Herod asked, "Where will the Messiah be born." 5 They answered, "In Bethlehem of Judea. This was written by the prophet." 6 "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah. For out of you shall come forth a ruler who will shepherd My people Israel." Micah 5:2. 7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men and from them determined exactly when the star had appeared. 8 Sending them on to Bethlehem, he said to them, "Search for the Child and when you have found Him, tell me so that I may also come and worship Him."

9 So the wise men left and followed the star. They were led by it until it stopped over the place where the Child was. 10 Seeing that the star had stopped gave them great joy. 11 After coming in the house they found the Child with His mother, Mary. They fell down and worshipped Him and presented Him with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

COMMENT: Evidently the prophecy, the star and the conformation given by the priests were all the wise men needed to believe.

12 After this they were warned by God in a dream not to go back through Jerusalem and inform Herod.

13 Then an angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Get up. Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod will search for the Child to destroy Him." 14 So Joseph got up while it was still dark, and left for Egypt with Mary and the Child. 15 They remained there until Herod had died. This fulfilled the word spoken by the LORD through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called My Son."

COMMENT:

Hosea 11:1 "When Israel was a youth I loved him, and called him as My son out of Egypt."

16 When Herod discovered that he had been tricked by the wise men who had not returned to tell him where the Child was, he became enraged. He had all the little boys two years and younger killed in Bethlehem and the surrounding vicinity. He based this on the time the wise men had said that the star had first appeared. 17 This fulfilled the word spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, 18 "a voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they were no more." Jeremiah 31:15.

COMMENT:

Jeremiah 31:15 This is what the LORD says, "A voice is heard in Ramah with much weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

19 After Herod died an angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream in Egypt and said, 20 "Get up. Take the Child and his mother back to Israel. Those who sought his life are dead." 21 So Joseph took the Child and His mother to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea he was afraid to stay in Judea. After being warned by God he left for the region of Galilee. 23 He went to dwell in Nazareth. This fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Matthew 3 - RWB Paraphrase (17 V)
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1 In those days John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness of Judah. His message was, 2 "repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 John was referred to by Isaiah who said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, saying, 'Make ready the way of the LORD by making His paths straight.'" Isaiah 40:3.

4 John wore a garment made of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Jerusalem and the district around the Jordan came out to hear him. 6 He was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 7 When the Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized he called them a brood of vipers and said to them, "Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" 8 "You must bear fruit in keeping with repentance." 9 "Do not suppose that you can say, 'We have Abraham as our father,' while you have not lived up to what God requires. God is able to make children of Abraham from these stones." 10 He continued by saying, "The axe is already laid at the root. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." 11 "I baptize with water for repentance. But One is coming after me Who is much greater than I. I am not worthy to touch His sandals. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire." 12 "With His winnowing fork He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor. The wheat He will place in His barn and the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire."

13 Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan and asked John to baptize Him. 14 John protested, saying, "I need to be baptized by You. Why do You ask baptism of me?" 15 Jesus answered him, saying, "Please do as I have asked. This is how we will fulfill all righteousness." So John agreed. 16 Immediately after Jesus was baptized the heavens opened and John saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and light upon Jesus. 17 A voice out of heaven was heard, saying, "This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased."

Matthew 4 - RWB Paraphrase (25 V)
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1 After His baptism Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil.

COMMENT: God did not tempt Jesus, but He put Him where He would be tested.

2 He fasted forty days and nights and He became hungry.

COMMENT: Have you ever been so interested in something that food didn't seem too important? Jesus was interested in His Father and being shown what lay ahead.

3 The tempter came to Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread."

COMMENT: The tempter's question had to do with Jesus' divinity and His mission here on earth. The question centered around an IF and therefore His faith in His Father. He didn't build faith while facing temptation. He built faith while having already been in relationship with His Father in Heaven. Therefore, His faith was already in tact. And the first temptation on record in both gospels was food for the physical body.

4 But Jesus answered and said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God."

COMMENT: Jesus lived and breathed scripture. Scripture reminded Him of His duty. He knew scripture before He needed to apply its meaning to Himself. And God is the center of His answer to Satan.

Deuteronomy 8:3 "He humbled you, letting you be hungry and then feeding you manna, something none of you had ever had before. He wanted you to understand that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

5 Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city and stood Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning You. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.'."

COMMENT: Now the temptation centered around Jesus' faith in Who He is and therefore, Who sent Him. Note, scripture is used for this temptation. The temptation was for Jesus to prove to the devil Who He was, or maybe even to prove this to Himself.

Psalms 91:11-12 For He shall charge His angels to guard you in all your ways. [12] They will bear you up in their hands so that you do not strike your foot against a stone.

7 Jesus said to him, "It is also written that you shall not put the LORD your God to the test."

COMMENT: Jesus answers with scripture.

Deuteronomy 6:16 "You shall not put the LORD your God to the test as you did at Massah."

8 Then the devil took Jesus to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

COMMENT: The devil hoped that a shortcut past all the trouble Jesus was going to would appeal to Him. And surely the devil only showed Jesus the glitter of the kingdoms and not the squalid back alleys with its poor and oppressed.

9 Then he said to Jesus, "I will give You everything You see if You will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the LORD your God and serve only Him."

COMMENT: Jesus always answers with scripture, not to show how well He know scripture, but as the means of fortifying Himself against the devil's falsehoods. Jesus saw no higher authority than the WORD of GOD.

Deuteronomy 6:13 "You shall fear only the LORD your God. You shall worship Him and take your oaths in His name."

11 So the devil left Him and angels came and ministered to Him.

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison He went to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth He and settled in Capernaum, by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what Isaiah the prophet had said: 15 the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light. To upon them which sat in the land of the shadow of death a light has shown. Isaiah 9:2.

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 18 As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew his brother. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will teach you to fish for men."

COMMENT: What an intriguing statement.

20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

COMMENT: When called they were ready.

21 Continuing on from there He saw two other brothers, James and John, sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father mending nets. Jesus called them. 22 They too immediately left their father and followed Him.

COMMENT: I wonder what their father thought as he watched his help leave?

23 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom and healing every kind of disease and sickness among the people. 24 News of Him spread throughout all Syria. People suffering from various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics and paralytics, were brought to Him and He healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed Him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and beyond the Jordan.

Matthew 5 - RWB Paraphrase (48 V)
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1 Seeing the multitudes, Jesus went up and sat on a mountain and His disciples came to Him. 2 He began to teach them, saying,
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

COMMENT:

Psalms 34:4-6 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, delivering me from all my fears. [5] They looked to Him and were radiant, for their shame had been removed. [6] The poor man cried and the LORD heard him and saved him from all his troubles.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

COMMENT:

Isaiah 61:2 "To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,"

5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

COMMENT:

Psalms 37:11 The meek will inherit the earth and delight in abundant peace.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

COMMENT:

Isaiah 55:1-2 "Come, everyone who is thirsty. Come to the waters, you who have no money. Come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without cost." [2] "Why spend money for what is not bread, and what you earn for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me. Eat what is good, and be delighted with an abundance."

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

COMMENT:

Proverbs 11:17 "The merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man harms himself."

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

COMMENT:

Psalms 24:4-5 Only he whose hands are clean and has a pure heart, who has not followed falsehood or sworn deceitfully. [5] He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, falsely accusing you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be happy, for you have a great reward in heaven. The prophets before you were persecuted in the same way.

COMMENT:

2 Chronicles 36:16 but they always mocked the messengers of God, despising God's words and scoffing at His prophets. Finally the wrath of the LORD God rose up against His people, for there was no other remedy.

13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it get its saltiness back? Its only value is to be thrown on the path and walked on."

COMMENT: As God's children we are to purify and preserve.

Leviticus 2:13 "Every grain offering is to be seasoned with salt."

2 Kings 2:19-22 At that time the men of the city said to Elisha, "This city is well situated except for one thing. The water is bad and this makes the area unfruitful." [20] Elisha replied, "Bring me a new jar with salt in it." So they did this. [21] He went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it, and said, "Thus says the LORD, 'I have purified these waters. They shall not produce death or unfruitfulness any longer.'" [22] And so the waters of that spring have been purified to this day, according to the word of Elisha.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."

COMMENT:

Philippians 2:15 Thus proving that you are blameless and innocent, and above reproach as God's children in the midst of a crooked and perversed nation where you will shine as lights to the world,

15 "No one lights a lamp and then places it where it cannot give light. Instead, it is placed where it will light the whole house." 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in heaven."

17 "Do not think that I came to do away with the Law, or the prophets. I came to fulfill them." 18 "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away, not even the smallest part of the Law shall pass away until all is accomplished." 19 "Anyone who breaks the smallest of the commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever keeps and teaches them, shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

COMMENT:

Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that have been revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may observe the words of this law."

20 "Unless your righteousness is greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."

21 "You have heard that the people of old were told, you shall not murder, lest you be liable to the court." 22 "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of being judged a murderer. Whoever says to his brother, you good-for-nothing, shall be liable before the council. Saying to someone, you fool, shall make him in danger of hell fire."

23 "When you present your offering at the altar, and then remember that your brother has something against you," 24 "leave your offering by the altar and go reconcile with your brother. Then come and present your offering."

25 "When you have given someone cause to take you to court, make friends on the way to court so that he will not hand you over to the judge so that you then end up in prison." 26 "Then you will not get out until you have paid the last cent."

27 "You have heard it said that you shall not commit adultery," 28 "but I say that when a person looks at a woman with lust he has already committed adultery with her in his heart." 29 "If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It will be better to lose your eye now then for your whole body to be thrown into hell."

COMMENT: His meaning is not to become physically blind in one eye, which by the way, will not keep you from looking with the other eye. He is saying that whatever the cost, heaven is cheap enough.

30 "If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you. It is better to lose a part of your body now than for your whole body to go into hell." 31 "It has been said, 'Whoever sends his wife away should give her a certificate of divorce.'" 32 "But I say that everyone who divorces his wife, except for unfaithfulness, makes her commit adultery, as well as the one who marries her."

COMMENT: Can it be that adultery is more than unfaithfulness? Adultery is the confusing of the genetics that results from the joining of two people in holy matrimony.

33 "Again, you have heard that the people of old were told, you shall not make false vows, but that you must fulfill your vows to the LORD." 34 "But I say to you, make no oath, either by heaven, for it is God's throne," 35 "or by the earth, for it is His footstool. Neither make a vow by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King." 36 "You shall not make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black." 37 "Just let your statement be yes, or no. Anything in addition to this is evil."

38 "You have heard it said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'"

COMMENT: Moses gave Israel this rule but Jesus said that the rule of law should reach much deeper.

Deuteronomy 19:21 "And you shall not show pity. It is to be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand foot for foot."

39 "But I say that you should not resist an evil person. Whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn your other cheek to him." 40 "If someone wants to sue you for your coat, give him your shirt as well."

41 "When someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles."

COMMENT: By law a Roman soldiers might require a Jew to carry his pack for a mile as he traveled.

42 "Give to him who asks and do not turn away from someone who wants to borrow from you."

COMMENT: There something here being addressed that is more important than one's rights.

43 "You have heard that you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy." 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

COMMENT: Think good thoughts toward everyone.

45 "This way you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good. He sends rain on the just and the unjust." 46 "If you only love those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even the tax collectors do that."

COMMENT: As redeemed sinners we are to do was does not come naturally to us.

47 "If you only greet your brothers, that is not so great. Even the Gentiles do that much." 48 "So you are to be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

COMMENT: God loves everyone, even those who work against Him. This is amazing!

Matthew 6 - RWB Paraphrase (34 V)
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1 "Be sure you do not practice your righteousness to be noticed by men. This will keep your Father in heaven from rewarding you." 2 "When you give to the poor, do not do it in a way to receive honor. If you receive honor from men it will be your only reward." 3 "When you give to the poor do not let you left hand know what your right hand is doing."

COMMENT: In other words, do not congratulate yourself for an act of kindness. But for God's grace, you might be in the same circumstance.

4 "When you give in secret your Father in heaven will see what you do and reward you."

5 "When You pray do not pray to be seen praying, or else being seen will be your only reward." 6 "Instead, pray to your Father in a place where you will not be seen. Then your Father will hear and reward you." 7 "When you pray do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do. Many words do not make a prayer better." 8 "So do not do this. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask."

9 "Pray in this manner: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name." 10 "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." 11 "Give us the bread we need for today." 12 "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive those in debt to us." 13 "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever."

COMMENT: Although God is not responsible for the temptations we face, He does allow us to be tempted. This is a petition to be shielded from the tempter's power. Even Jesus was led into the wilderness where the devil tempted Him.

Matthew 4:1 After His baptism Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil.

14 "For if you forgive the transgressions of others, your Father in heaven will forgive you." 15 "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."

COMMENT:

Matthew 7:2 "For you will be judged in the way you judge. By your own standard you will be measured."

16 "When you fast, do not do it for appearance sake. Your only reward will be that others noticed that you are fasting." 17 "Rather, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face." 18 "This way your fasting will not be noticed by men, but instead by your Father Who will reward you."

19 "Do not save up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, or thieves break in and steal." 20 "Instead, store your treasure in heaven where it will be safe." 21 "Your heart will be where you keep your treasure."

COMMENT: How does one invest in heaven?

Luke 12:33 "Sell what you have and give it to others. Convert your money to treasure in heaven where no thief can steal it and no moth will come to destroy it."

22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is clear, your body will be full of light." 23 "If your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If you are filled with darkness, how very dark it is!"

COMMENT: When we look for that which God has forbidden every part of our being suffers.

24 "No one can serve two masters. He will always love one and hate the other, no matter which one he chooses to love. You cannot serve God and wealth." 25 "So do not worry about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about what you will wear. Life is more than food, drink, or clothing." 26 "See how the birds have what they need without planting, reaping or storing in barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them and you are certainly worth more than the birds."

27 "Can you add a single hour to your life by worry?" 28 "Why worry about clothing? See how the lilies of the field grow. They neither toil nor spin," 29 "yet I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these." 30 "So if God clothes the grass with such splendor, even though it is alive today and burned tomorrow, will He not cloth you much better? You have too little faith!"

31 "Therefore do not worry about what you will eat or drink, or what you will wear." 32 "The Gentiles eagerly seek these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need all these things." 33 "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." 34 "Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough of its own trouble."

Matthew 7 - RWB Paraphrase (29 V)
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1 "Do not judge and you will not be judged." 2 "For you will be judged in the way you judge. By your own standard you will be measured." 3 "Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but do not notice the log in your own eye?" 4 "How can you offer to remove the speck in his brother's eye while there is a large piece of wood in your own eye?" 5 "Don't be a hypocrite. Remove the obstruction from your own eye before you offer to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

6 "Never give what is holy to dogs. And do not throw pearls to swine. They will only trample it under foot before they turn on you and tear you to pieces."

7 "Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you." 8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

COMMENT: Would you seek to know God better?

Deuteronomy 4:29 "But at that time and from that place you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and soul."

1 Chronicles 28:9 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever."

9 "Is there a man among you who when his son asks for bread will hand him a stone?" 10 "Or if he asks for a fish, will he give his son a snake?" 11 "If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him."

12 "Always treat people the way you want to be treated. This is what the law and the prophets are all about." 13 "Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and its path is broad. Many follow this way." 14 "The gate that leads to life is small and its path is narrow. Few find it."

15 "Beware of false prophets who look like sheep but actually are hungry wolves." 16 "You can identify them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorns bushes, nor figs from thistles." 17 "Every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit." 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit." 19 "Every tree that does not produce fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." 20 "So the rule is, you will know people by their fruits."

21 "Not everyone who calls Me Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does My Father's will." 22 "In that day many will say to Me, Lord, didn't we prophesy, cast out devils and perform many miracles in Your name?" 23 "But I will answer them, saying, 'Depart from Me. I never knew you, for you practiced lawlessness.'"

24 "Those who hear My words, and acts on them, may be compared to the wise man who built his house on the rock." 25 "The rains fell and the floods came, the winds blew and beat against the house. Yet it did not fall because it had the rock for its foundation." 26 "Those that hear My words and do not act on them, will be like the man who built his house on the sand." 27 "The rains fell, the floods came, the winds blew and beat upon the house and it fell apart."

28 Jesus finished speaking and the crowds were amazed at His teaching. 29 He taught them with authority, which was different from the way their scribes taught.

Matthew 8 - RWB Paraphrase (34 V)
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1 When Jesus came down from the mountain many people followed Him.

2 A leper came and bowed down to Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." 3 Jesus stretched out His hand and said, "I am willing. Be clean." And immediately his leprosy was gone. 4 Jesus then said, "Do not tell anyone. First go and show yourself to the priest and present the offering specified by Moses."

5 When Jesus entered Capernaum a centurion came to Him and implored Him, 6 saying, "Lord, my servant is paralyzed and very uncomfortable." 7 Jesus said, "I will come and heal him." 8 But the centurion said, "Lord, I am not worthy for you to enter my house. Just say the word and my servant will be healed."

COMMENT: This Gentile had understanding and faith.

9 I am a man under authority and I have soldiers under me. I tell one of them to do something and he does it. 10 When Jesus heard this, He marveled, and said, "I have not found this kind of faith in all of Israel." 11 "I tell you, many will come from outside of Israel to eat with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in heaven." 12 "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast into the outer darkness where there will be bitter weeping and exceeding unhappiness." 13 Then Jesus told the centurion that his request would be done for him just as he had believed. And his servant was healed at that very moment.

14 Jesus came to Peter's home and found Peter's mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand the fever left her. Then she got up and ministered to Him.

16 As evening came the people brought many who were demon possessed to Him. He cast out the spirits and healed all who were ill. 17 This fulfilled the words spoken by Isaiah: He took our infirmities and carried our diseases.

COMMENT:

Isaiah 53:4 "He surely bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. We saw Him as stricken, afflicted and smitten by God."

18 Jesus saw the crowd around Him and He gave orders to go over to the other side of the sea. 19 There a scribe came to Him saying, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." 20 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds their nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest His head." 21 Another of the disciples said to Him, Lord permit me to tarry until my father has been buried.

COMMENT: In other words, because of my duty to my parents, I will follow you after my father is gone.

22 But Jesus replied, "Follow Me and let the dead bury their own dead."

23 Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. 24 While they were out in the lake a great storm came up. Waves were breaking over the boat, but Jesus was asleep. 25 The disciples woke Him up, saying, "Lord save us. We are perishing." 26 He said to them, "Why are you afraid. Your faith is too small." Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging seas, and everything became perfectly calm. 27 The men marveled saying, "What kind of Man is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him."

28 When they came to the other side of the lake, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon possessed men who lived in the tombs came out to meet Him. Their violent behaviour kept everyone away from the place. 29 They cried out, saying, "Why has the Son of God come to us? Have you come to torment us before the appointed time?" 30 There was a herd of pigs feeding some distance away from them. 31 The demons began begging Him, saying, "If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of pigs." 32 Jesus said, "Go!" And they came out of the men and entered the pigs. This caused the entire herd of pigs to rush down a steep bank into the sea where they were drowned. 33 The herdsmen ran away to the city and reported everything that had happened to the demoniacs and the pigs. 34 The whole city came out to meet Jesus and begged Him to leave their region.

Matthew 9 - RWB Paraphrase (38 V)
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1 Jesus got into a boat to cross over to His own city. 2 When He got there some people brought a paralytic lying on a bed to Him. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, your sins are forgiven." 3 Some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 4 Jesus knew their thoughts and said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?" 5 "Which do you think is easier? To say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?'" 6 "That you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," He then turned to the paralytic and said, "Get up. Take your bed and go home." 7 And the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowds saw this, they were amazed and glorified God, because He had given such authority to this Man.

9 As Jesus went on from that place, He saw a man named Matthew sitting in the tax collector's booth. He said to him, "Follow Me!" And Matthew got up and followed Him.

10 There was a time when Jesus reclined at a table where many tax collectors and sinners had come to dine with Him and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this they asked His disciples why their Teacher ate with tax collectors and sinners? 12 When Jesus heard of this question, He said, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but those who are sick." 13 "Now, go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

COMMENT:

Hosea 6:6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in your knowledge of Me, instead of burnt offerings.

14 The disciples of John came to Jesus and asked, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 Jesus replied, "The attendants of the bridegroom do not mourn while the bridegroom is with them, do they? The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast." 16 "No one patches an old garment with unshrunk cloth. It they do, the patch pulls away from the garment and the result is worse than before the repair." 17 "Neither do people put new wine in old wineskins. Doing this makes the wine skins burst. Then the wine is lost and the wineskins ruined. New wine goes into new wineskins for good results."

18 While He spoke these things, a synagogue official came to Him and bowed before Him, saying, "My daughter has just died. Come and lay your hand on her, that she may live." 19 Jesus got up and followed him and so did His disciples. 20 A woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up from behind in the crowd to touch the fringe of His cloak. 21 She had decided that if she could just touch His garment, she would be made well. 22 Jesus turned and seeing her said, "Daughter, be of good courage. Your faith has made you well." And the woman was indeed well.

23 As Jesus came to the official's house, He saw flute players and a disorderly noisy crowd. 24 He told them to leave because the girl had not died. She was sleeping. They began to laugh at Him. 25 When the crowd had been sent out of the house, He went in and taking her by the hand, the girl got up. 26 News of what had happened spread throughout the land.

27 As Jesus went on from that place, two blind men followed Him, crying out, "Son of David! Have mercy on us." 28 When He entered a house, the blind men came close to Him. Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to heal you?" They answered, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then He touched their eyes and said, "What happens to you depends on your faith." 30 Then their eyes were opened. Jesus sternly warned them not to tell anyone about what had been done for them. 31 But they went out telling everyone everywhere they went.

32 As they left that place, a man was brought to Him. He was possessed by a demon and could not speak. 33 After the demon had been cast out the man was able to speak. The crowds were amazed, and said, "We have never seen anything like this in Israel." 34 But the Pharisees were saying, "He casts out demons by the ruler of demons."

35 Jesus was making a circuit of all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing every kind of disease and sickness. 36 He felt compassion for the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Looking at the people He said, "The harvest is plentiful but there are too few workers." 38 "Pray that the LORD of the harvest will send workers to harvest His fields."

Matthew 10 - RWB Paraphrase (42 V)
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1 Jesus called His twelve disciples unto Him and gave them power over unclean spirits. They were then able to cast them out and heal every kind of sickness.

2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles: Simon, also called Peter, Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, John his brother, 3 Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, 4 Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot, the one who would betray Him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out. He instructed them not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans. 6 Instead they were to seek out the lost sheep of Israel. 7 He told them to preach, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." 8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons. You have received freely. Give freely." 9 "Do not be concerned about having money for your trip." 10 "You will not need a bag, or an extra coat, nor extra sandals or staff. A worker is worthy of support." 11 "When you enter a city or village, ask around as to who is worthy and stay at his house until you leave the city." 12 "When you enter a house, give it your commendation." 13 "If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. And if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you." 14 "Whoever does not receive you or heed your words, as you leave the house and the city, shake the dirt off your feet." 15 "The truth is, in the Day of Judgment, Sodom and Gomorrah will have it better than that city." 16 "I am sending you out as sheep surrounded by wolves. Be shrewd as serpents and harmless as doves." 17 "Beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues." 18 "You will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles."

COMMENT: This was a far reaching prediction fulfilled after Jesus returned to heaven.

19 "And when they hand you over, do not be concerned about what to say. Words will be given to you when you need them." 20 "It will not be you who speaks, but the Spirit of your Father in heaven speaking through you." 21 "A brother will betray his brother, delivering him to his death. A father will betray his child. Children will also rise up against their parents causing their death." 22 "You will be hated by every one because of My name, but those who endure to the end will be saved." 23 "When you are persecuted in one city, flee to another. You will not finish going throughout the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes."

24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master." 25 "It is enough if he is like his teacher and the slave like his master. If they call the head of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they slander the members of his household!" 26 "These people are not to be feared. Anything concealed will be eventually revealed." 27 "What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light. What you hear whispered, proclaim from the house tops." 28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who is able to kill body and soul in hell." 29 "Haven't you noticed two sparrows being sold for a penny? Even though they are of such little worth, your Father notices when one of them falls to the ground." 30 "He also knows the number of hairs on your head." 31 "So do not question His concern for you. You are of more value than many sparrows."

32 "Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will confess before My Father Who is in heaven." 33 "And whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."

34 "Never suppose that I came to bring peace to the earth. What I stand for will result in the wielded sword." 35 "I came to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

COMMENT: It is never God's intention to divide families. But those who make God first will sometimes find themselves at odds with those who do not make God first.

36 "A man's enemies will be members of his own household."

COMMENT:

Micah 7:6 "For sons will treat their fathers with contempt, and daughters will rise up against their mothers. Daughter-In-Laws will be against mother-in-laws. A man's enemies will be those of his own household."

37 "He who loves a family member more than Me is not worthy of Me."

COMMENT: As sacred as it is to honor our marriage vows and duty to our parents, our allegiance to God must be paramount.

38 "And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." 39 "The one who finds his life will lose it and the one who loses his life for My sake will find it." 40 "The one who receives you is receiving Me. And when he receives Me he receives the One who sent Me." 41 "He who receives a prophet in the name of the prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of the righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward." 42 "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives a cold cup of water to one of these little ones, shall not lose his reward."

Matthew 11 - RWB Paraphrase (30 V)
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1 When Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He left that place to teach and preach in their cities. 2 John was in prison and heard of the things Jesus was doing and he sent his disciples to Him. 3 They asked Jesus, "Are You the One we have been expecting or shall we look for someone else?" 4 Jesus said, "Go tell John what you observe." 5 "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, and the lepers are cleansed. The deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have the Gospel preached to them." 6 "Blessed the one who is not offended by Me." 7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus spoke about John to the crowds. He asked them, "What were you expecting when you went to the wilderness to hear John preach? Someone like a reed blown about by the wind?" 8 "Did you expect to see a man dressed in fine clothing like those in Kings' palaces?" 9 "What then did you go out to see, a prophet? Yes, I tell you, he was more than a prophet." 10 "He is the one of whom it was written, 'Behold, I send My messenger before You to prepare the way for You.'" 11 "The truth is, no one born of women is greater than John the Baptist. Even so, the one that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than him." 12 "During his time and ours, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence because of those trying to take it by force." 13 "For all the law and the prophets looked forward to John's time." 14 "And you should realize that John is the Elijah to come." 15 "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 16 "To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing together in the market place," 17 "saying, 'We played the flute for you but you did not dance. We sang a sad song, but you would not mourn.'" 18 "For John was accused of having a demon because he was not a drinker or a big eater!" 19 "And the Son of Man has come and He eats and drinks and they accuse Him of being a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."

20 After this He began denouncing those cities where most of His miracles had been done, because they did not repent. 21 He said, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles performed in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago." 22 "I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you." 23 "Instead of being exalted to heaven, Capernaum will go down to Hades, for if the miracles witnessed by it had taken place in Sodom, that city would still be here today." 24 "I tell you that it will be more tolerable for Sodom than it will be for you." 25 Then Jesus said, "I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from those who think they know everything, while revealing it to infants."

COMMENT: Having revealed it to those with less learning.

26 "Yes Father, this is the way You wanted it."

27 "Everything has been handed over to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father. And no one knows the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom He chooses to reveal Him." 28 Come to Me, all who are weary and weighed down with heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

COMMENT:

Exodus 33:14 And the LORD said, "My presence shall go with you and I will give you rest."

Deuteronomy 12:10 "When you cross the Jordan, and live in the land He is giving you, He will give you rest from all your enemies and you will live securely."

29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." 30 "My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matthew 12 - RWB Paraphrase (50 V)
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1 Jesus was passing through the grain fields with His disciples on a Sabbath day. They were hungry, so they began picking and eating the heads of grain. 2 The Pharisees watched them doing this and said to Jesus, "See how Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?" 3 He responded to their question saying, "Haven't you read what David and his companions did when they were hungry?" 4 "Remember how he entered the house of God and ate consecrated bread, which was not lawful. This bread was only for the priests." 5 "And haven't you read how the law instructs the priests to work in the temple on the Sabbath? Yet they are not breaking the law."

COMMENT: Another example of law-breaking that is overlooked.

6 "I want to point out, something greater than the temple is here." 7 "If you had understood what it means when it says, 'I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,' then you would not have condemned the innocent."

COMMENT: The Pharisees were all about keeping the law but lacked compassion.

Hosea 6:6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in your knowledge of Me, instead of burnt offerings.

8 "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

9 He left that place and went into a synagogue. 10 A man was there with a withered hand. The official of the synagogue asked Him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" They were looking for a way to accuse Him. 11 He asked them, "Which of you, having a sheep fall into a pit on the Sabbath will not rescue it?" 12 "A man is much more valuable than a sheep. So, yes, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13 Then he said to the man with the withered hand, "Stretch out your hand!" When he did this his hand was restored.

14 The Pharisees went out of there and conspired together as to how to destroy Jesus. 15 Being aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed Him and He healed them all, 16 warning them not to tell anyone who had done this for them. 17 This fulfilled what Isaiah the prophet had said: 18 "behold, My Servant Whom I have chosen, My beloved in Whom My soul is well pleased. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles." 19 "He will not quarrel, nor cry out. Neither will anyone hear His voice in the streets." 20 "A battered reed he will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory."

COMMENT:

Isaiah 42:1-3 "Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold, My chosen One in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him. He will bring justice to the nations." [2] "He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street." [3] "A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish. He will faithfully bring forth justice."

21 "And in His name the Gentiles will hope."

22 A man was brought to Jesus who was possessed by a demon. He was blind and mute. Jesus healed the man so that he could speak and see. 23 The crowds were amazed. They asked, "Can this man be the Son of David?" 24 When the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man casts out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the rulers of demons." 25 Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus said to them, "If a kingdom is divided against itself it is destroyed. Any city or house divided against itself will fall." 26 "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself and he will fall." 27 "And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Let them be your judge." 28 "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."

29 "How can anyone enter a strong man's house to rob him without first tying him up?" 30 "Those not with Me are against Me. Those who do not gather with Me, scatter." 31 "Any sin of blasphemy shall be forgiven people, except for the blasphemy against the Spirit. It shall not be forgiven." 32 "Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man may be forgiven, but speaking against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven, either now, or in the age to come." 33 "Either the tree and it fruit are good, or the tree and its fruit are bad. A tree is known by its fruit." 34 "You brood of vipers. How can you who are evil speak of what is good? The mouth reveals what is in the heart." 35 "A good man brings out from his good treasure, and the evil man brings from out of his evil treasure."

36 "You need to understand that for every careless word, a man must give an account in the day of judgment." 37 "By your words you will be justified or condemn."

COMMENT: This should include jesting and careless expletives.

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we want You to show us a sign." 39 But He answered, saying, "An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign. No sign will be given except the sign of Jonah the prophet." 40 "Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." 41 "The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment and condemn this generation because they repented when Jonah preached to them. And now, Someone greater than Jonah is here." 42 "The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment and condemn this generation, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, Someone greater than Solomon is here."

43 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, and cannot find rest," 44 "it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came. When it finds the house unoccupied, swept and in order," 45 "it goes and finds seven other unclean spirits more wicked than itself, and they live together in that house. Then the last state is worse than the first. And that is the way it will be with this generation."

46 While He was speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers were outside wanting to speak to Him. 47 Someone told Him that they wanted to talk with Him. 48 Jesus said, "Who is My mother? Who are My brothers?" 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold, My mother and My brothers!" 50 For whoever does the will of My Father Who is in heaven, is My brother and sister and mother.

COMMENT: Perhaps Jesus' earthly family thought they had a special claim on Jesus.

Matthew 13 - RWB Paraphrase (58 V)
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1 That same day Jesus went out of the house to sit by the sea side. 2 Large crowds came to be near Him. So He got into a boat and sat down while the crowds stayed on the beach.

3 He taught them many things in parables. He said, "Behold, the sower went out to sow." 4 "As he sowed, some seed fell next to the road. The birds came and ate it."

COMMENT: This seed fell where it could not be expected to grow.

5 "Some of the seed fell in rocky places that had little soil. With no depth to the soil this seed sprouted quickly." 6 "Its roots did not go deep, and when the sun came up they were scorched and withered."

COMMENT: This seed didn't have much of a chance to grow well. This soil needs much preparation.

7 "Still other seed fell among the thorns, and were choked out by them."

COMMENT: This soil needs special attention to remove the weeds.

8 "But some of the seed fell on good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundred fold, some sixty and some thirty." 9 "Let him who has ears hear what I saying."

10 The disciples came to Him afterwards and said, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" 11 Jesus answered, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. But they have not been granted this." 12 "For whoever has, even more shall be given to him. And he who does not have, even that which he has shall be taken away." 13 "This is why I speak to them in parables. They see, but do not see. They hear but do not hear, for they lack understanding."

14 "Isaiah's prophecy applies to them where it says, 'You keep hearing, but you do not understand. You keep seeing but you will not perceive.'" 15 "For the heart of this people has become dull. With their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they would see and hear, and understand with their heart and return to Me. Then I would heal them."

COMMENT:

Isaiah 6:9-10 He said, "Go, and tell this people to keep on listening, even though they will not perceive, and to keep on looking even though they will not understand." [10] "Render the hearts of this people insensitive, their ears dull, and their eyes dim, lest they see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and return and be healed."

16 "But your eyes are blessed, because they see. And your ears are blessed because they hear." 17 "I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men wanted to see what you see and hear what you hear, but they were not granted this."

18 "Here is the explanation of the parable of the sower." 19 "When a person hears the words of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one come and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is illustrated by the seed sown by the roadside which the birds ate." 20 "The seed sown on rocky ground represents those who hear and receive it with great joy." 21 "Yet because they do not have deep roots, when affliction or persecution comes as a result of what they have heard, they immediately fall away." 22 "The seed that falls among thorns represents those who hear the word, but the worries and cares of the world choke out the word and they becomes unfruitful." 23 "And the seed sown on good soil represents those who hear the word and understands it. These will bear fruit, some a hundred fold, some sixty fold and some thirty fold."

24 Jesus presented another parable to them. He said, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man sowing good seed in his field." 25 "While everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds in with the wheat." 26 "When the wheat sprouted and was about to put out heads of grain, the weeds became evident." 27 "His workers came to him asking, 'Sir, you sowed good seed. Where did the weeds come from?'" 28 "He answered them saying, 'An enemy has done this.' They said, 'Shall we pull the weeds?'" 29 "He said, 'No. You might uproot the wheat while pulling the weeds.'" 30 "Let them grow together and at the harvest the reapers will gather the weeds into bundles and burned them. Then the wheat will be gathered into my barn."

31 He presented another parable, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed sown in a field." 32 "It is smaller than other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the other garden plants, for the birds can make nests in."

33 He spoke yet another parable to them."The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman hides in three measures of flour so that all the flour becomes leavened."

34 Everything Jesus spoke to the crowds He spoke in parables. 35 This fulfilled what the prophet had said: "I will open My mouth in parables. I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world."

COMMENT:

Psalms 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter hidden things from of old,

36 After this Jesus sent the crowds away and entered a house. His disciples came to Him and asked Him to explain the parable of the weeds in the field. 37 He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man." 38 "The field is the world. The good seed are the sons of the kingdom, and the weeds are the sons of the evil one." 39 "The enemy who sowed the weeds is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are the angels." 40 "Just as the weeds are gathered and burned, so it shall be at the end of the age." 41 "The Son of Man will send His angels to gather out of his kingdom every stumbling block and all who break the law." 42 "They will be burned in the furnace which will be a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth." 43 "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear."

COMMENT:

Daniel 12:3 "And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of day, for those who turned many to righteousness will be as the stars for ever and ever."

44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure which a man found hidden in a field. In order to own the treasure he hid it and sold everything he had so that he could buy the field and the treasure in it."

45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls." 46 "When he finds the one pearl of surpassing value, he sells everything he has in order to obtain that one pearl."

COMMENT: This pearl was worth everything to him, as the good news of the gospel should be to us.

47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea, bringing up all kinds of fish." 48 "When the net is full, it is drawn up on the beach and they sit down and gather the good fish into containers and throw away what is bad." 49 "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and take the wicked from among the righteous." 50 "The wicked will be thrown into the furnace which will be a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth."

51 "Have you understood everything I have said?" They answered, "Yes." 52 Then Jesus said, "Every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out his treasure, both new and old."

53 After finishing these parables, Jesus left that place. 54 He came to His home town and began teaching in the synagogue. They were astonished at his teaching, saying, "Where did He get His wisdom and these miraculous powers?" 55 "Isn't He the carpenter's son. Isn't his mother called Mary and His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?" 56 "His sisters are also here with us. Where did this man get His wisdom and power?" 57 Because of this they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet has honor everywhere but in his home town and within his own household." 58 And because of their unbelief, He did not do many miracles there.

Matthew 14 - RWB Paraphrase (36 V)
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1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the amazing things Jesus was doing. 2 He told his servants that this had to be John the Baptist who had risen from the dead. This would explain the miraculous powers at work in him. 3 Previously Herod had arrested John and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. 4 For John had been telling Herod that it was not lawful for him to have his brother's wife. 5 Herod wanted to put John to death but he feared the crowd because they believed that he was a prophet.

6 Now when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased him. 7 He was so pleased that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 After she had consulted with her mother she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. 9 This grieved Herod but because of his oath and his dinner guests, he commanded that her request be granted, 10 and He had John beheaded in prison. 11 Then his head brought on platter and given to the girl who then gave it to her mother.

COMMENT: What a grisly scene. Who enjoys keeping company with such a woman?

12 John's disciples came and took the body away and buried it. Then they reported this to Jesus. 13 When Jesus heard about what had happened to John, He left by ship to a solitary place to be by Himself. But when the people heard where He had gone, they followed on foot from the cities.

14 As Jesus went ashore He saw a large crowd. Feeling compassion for them He healed their sick. 15 That evening the disciples came to Him and said, "This is a desolate place and the hour is late. Send the crowds away so they may go into the villages and find food." 16 But Jesus said, "They can stay here if you give them something to eat!" 17 They said, "All we have is five loaves and two fish." 18 He said, "Bring them to Me." 19 He had the people sit on the grass, and taking up the five loaves and two fish, He looked up to heaven and blessed the food. Then He began to break the loaves and give the pieces to the disciples. They then gave the pieces to the crowd. 20 Everyone ate and was satisfied. The disciples picked up the leftovers and filled twelve baskets. 21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children. 22 Immediately Jesus commanded His disciples to get in the boat and head for the other side without Him. He would dismissed the crowds.

23 After sending the crowd away, Jesus went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. It was evening and He was alone. 24 Meanwhile the boat with the disciples was a long way from shore and was being battered by the storm's waves. 25 In the fourth watch of the night Jesus came toward them walking on the sea.

COMMENT: Why did Jesus come walking on the water? Why not just be waiting for them on the other side of the lake when they got there?

The disciples may have been having a crisis of confidence that Jesus was the Messiah. They wanted, along with the crowd Jesus had fed, to make Him king. He had refused. It didn't make sense to their way of thinking. Was He the Messiah everyone said would set up the world kingdom they had been taught to expect?

So Jesus came walking on the water, something no ordinary man could do. Here was more evidence, if you please, that He was more than man. He was God's Son, even if He was not living up to their expectations.

26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the water they were terrified, and cried out saying, "It is a ghost." 27 Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, "Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid." 28 Peter said, "If it is You Lord, bid me come to You on the water." 29 Jesus said, "Come!" Peter got out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus. 30 Seeing the wind whipping up the waves he became frightened. As he began to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand, and taking hold of Peter, said, "Your faith is too small. Why do you doubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And the disciples worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son."

34 When they had crossed over to the other side they came to Gennesaret. 35 Recognizing Jesus, the men of that place sent word throughout the district and people brought their sick to Him, 36 begging Him to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. Those who did this were healed.

Matthew 15 - RWB Paraphrase (39 V)
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1 Some scribes and Pharisees came from Jerusalem, and asked Jesus, 2 "why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before they eat?" 3 He then asked them, "Why do you transgress the commandments of God in order to keep your traditions?"

COMMENT: Jesus answered their question with a question of His own.

4 "For God said, 'Honor your father and mother, and he who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.'."

COMMENT:

Deuteronomy 27:16 "Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother. And all the people shall say, Amen."

5 "But you say that a person may say to his parents, 'What I would have given to you I am giving instead to God." 6 "You say that he does not have to honor his father and mother and in this way you invalidate God's word in order to support your tradition." 7 "You hypocrites. Isaiah correctly prophesied of you:" 8 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. 9 "They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrine the precepts of men."

COMMENT:

Isaiah 29:13 "Then the LORD will say, 'This people draw near to Me with their words, honoring Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their reverence consists of rote tradition.'"

10 Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, "Hear and understand:" 11 that which enters the mouth does not defile a man, but the words he speaks is what defiles him.

12 The disciples came to Jesus and said, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard what You said?" 13 Jesus replied, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be pulled up." 14 "Let them be. They are blind leaders leading the blind. They and those who follow them will fall into the ditch."

15 Peter asked Him to explain the parable to them. 16 Jesus said, "So you do not understand either?" 17 "Don't you see that everything that goes into the mouth passes through the stomach and is eliminated?" 18 "But the words that come out of the mouth come from the heart. These defile a man." 19 "For the heart is the source of all evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and slander." 20 "These defile a man. But eating with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

21 Jesus withdrew from there into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that region cried out to Jesus, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David. My daughter is cruelly possessed by a demon."

COMMENT: This Gentile knew Jesus' correct identity. And she had faith in Him.

23 When He did not respond to her cry for help, his disciples tried to get Him to send her away because she was shouting.

COMMENT: She would be heard.

24 Instead, Jesus answered her, saying, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." 25 But she came close and bowed down before Him, and said, "Lord, help me!"

COMMENT: She would not give up.

26 He answered, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

COMMENT: Jesus tested her, calling her a dog.

27 "But," she replied, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table."

COMMENT: What a great answer and humble appeal.

28 Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great. What you have asked shall be done for you." And her daughter was healed at that moment.

29 Jesus departed from that place going along the Sea of Galilee. He went up on a mountain and sat down. 30 Large crowds came to Him, bringing their lame, crippled, blind, mute and many others. They laid them at His feet and He healed them. 31 The crowds marveled to see each one cured of his malady. And they glorified the God of Israel.

COMMENT: The God of Israel was being glorified. It took Jesus to do this.

32 And Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I feel compassion for the people because they have stayed with Me three days without food. I do not want to send them away hungry, lest some faint on the way home." 33 The disciples asked, "Where can we get enough bread for such a large crowd in this desolate place?" 34 Jesus asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish." 35 Then Jesus directed the people to sit down on the ground. 36 Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks. Then He broke the bread and the fish and gave them to the disciples and the disciples gave them to the people. 37 Everyone ate and was satisfied. Picking up what had not been eaten, the disciples filled seven baskets. 38 There were four thousand men who ate, besides the women and children. 39 After sending the crowds away, Jesus got into a boat and crossed over to the coasts of Magdala.

Matthew 16 - RWB Paraphrase (28 V)
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1 The Pharisees and the Sadducees came to ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. 2 But He replied by saying, "When it is evening and the sky is red you say there will be fair weather." 3 "And if there is a red sky in the morning, you say there will be a storm. You know how to read the signs in the sky, but you are unable to discern the signs of the times."

COMMENT: They already had all the signs they needed to recognize Jesus as the Christ. There was all the fulfilled messianic prophesies, besides all His miracles.

4 "An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign. No sign will be given except the sign of Jonah." After that He went away and left them.

COMMENT: Evil means of the devil and adulterous means unfaithful. And the sign of � Jonah has to do with being three days and three nights in the heart of the � earth.

Jonah 1:17 The LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he was in its belly for three days and three nights.

Matthew 12:40 "Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

5 The disciples had come across the sea without bringing any bread. 6 So when Jesus said to them, "Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees," 7 the disciples asked each other if He had said this because they had forgotten to bring bread. 8 But Jesus, aware of their conversation, said, "You men of little faith. Why do you discuss whether or not you have bread?"

COMMENT: Jesus was getting after them for being concerned about their next meal. God would always provide for their needs.

9 "Don't you remember the five loaves that fed five thousand how many baskets full you picked up afterward?" 10 "What about the seven loaves that fed four thousand, and how much was left over that time as well?" 11 "Why don't you understand what I meant when I said to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees?" 12 "Then it was that they realized that when He talked about the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees He was referring to their teachings."

COMMENT:

Luke 12:1 At this time so many people had gathered to hear Jesus, that they were stepping on each other. He began by teaching His disciples. He said, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."

13 As Jesus came to the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others say Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets." 15 Then He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Then Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father in heaven." 18 "And I say to you that you are Peter and upon this rock I will build My church. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it." 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." 20 Then he warned the disciples that they should not tell anyone that He was the Christ. 21 And from that time on Jesus began to tell them that He must suffer many things in Jerusalem at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the scribes. They would kill Him but afterwards He would be raised on the third day.

COMMENT: How plainly Jesus warned them but they could not conceive of this happening to the Messiah. This demonstrates how we can hear something all our lives and when God tells us something different we do not believe it.

22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Lord, this must not happen to You." 23 But Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get behind me Satan. You are a stumbling block to Me. You have not set you mind on what God wants."

24 Jesus said to His disciples, "Anyone wanting to follow Me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me."

COMMENT: What would taking up one's cross mean to them? They could not conceive of Christ being on the cross. How do we take up our cross?

25 "By trying to save his life, he will lose it. But whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." 26 "What profit is there in gaining the whole world and losing one's own soul? What is a man's soul worth to him?"

COMMENT: To lose our soul is to forfeit eternal life.

27 "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels. And at that time He will repay every man according to his works."

COMMENT: This they had always believed. They could not imagine how the cross figured in.

28 "The truth is, some standing here will see the Son of Man coming in His glory before tasting death."

Matthew 17 - RWB Paraphrase (27 V)
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1 Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John, up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 There they watched as He was transfigured. His face shown like the sun, and his garments became white with light. 3 Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Him. 4 Peter spoke up, saying, "Lord, it is wonderful to be here. If You like I will make three tabernacles, one for each of you." 5 While he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son. In Him I am well please. Listen to what He says." 6 At the sound of this voice the disciples fell with their faces to the ground. They were very afraid.

7 Then Jesus came to them and touching them, said, "Get up, and do not be afraid." 8 They opened their eyes and looked around. They saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they came down the mountain Jesus told them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They asked Him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" 11 He answered, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things," 12 "but I say that he has already come and they did not recognize him. They did to him whatever they wanted to do. And so, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands, too." 13 Then the disciples understood He was talking about John the Baptist.

14 When they had come to a crowd, a man came to Jesus and fell down before Him. 15 He said, "Lord, have mercy on my son. He is very ill, he is out of his mind. He often falls into the fire and at other times into the water." 16 "I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him." 17 Jesus said, "How long shall I remain with you and put up with your unbelief and perverted ways? Bring him to Me." 18 Jesus then rebuked the demon and he came out of the boy and the boy was immediately cured. 19 Later the disciples asked Jesus, "Why were we unable to cast out the demon?" 20 He said, "Because of your unbelief. Even faith as small as a mustard seed will allow you to tell a mountain to move. Nothing will be impossible." 21 "But this kind of miracle comes only with much prayer and fasting."

22 While they were in Galilee Jesus told the, "The Son of Man would be delivered into the hands of men." 23 "They will kill Him and then He will be raised on the third day." Hearing this they were deeply troubled.

24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected tribute money came to Peter and asked, "Does your Master pay tribute?" 25 Peter said, "Yes." Then when he came to the house Jesus said to him, "What do you think, Simon? Who pays tax to the kings of the earth? Their sons or strangers?" 26 Peter answered, "Strangers." Jesus then said, "So the sons are exempt." 27 Then He added, "Just so they are not offended, go to the sea and throw in a hook. When you have caught a fish you will find a shekel in it mouth. Take that and give it for both of us."

Matthew 18 - RWB Paraphrase (35 V)
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1 At this time the disciples asked Jesus, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 He called a child and set him in front of them. 3 He then said, "The truth is, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." 4 "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." 5 "And whoever receives a child like this in My name receives Me." 6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to be drowned in the depth of the sea." 7 "Woe to the world and its stumbling blocks. Stumbling blocks are inevitable. But woe to the one who devises them." 8 "If some part of you causes you to stumble, cut it off and be rid of it. Better to be crippled in this life than to be cast into the unquenchable fire." 9 "If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. One eye in this life is better than two eyes when you are cast into the fiery hell." 10 "Do not despise one of these little ones. Their angels in heaven watch over them and see the face of My Father."

11 "The Son of Man has come to save what was lost." 12 "What does a man do who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them? Will he not leave the ninety nine and search everywhere for the one that is lost?" 13 "On finding it he makes a greater fuss over it than the ninety nine which were not lost." 14 "So it is with your Father in heaven. It is not His will that even one of these little ones perish."

15 "If your brother sins, go to him in private and show him his fault. If he listens, you have won your brother." 16 "But if he will not listen, then take one or two others with you so that your point can be made by someone besides yourself." 17 "If he still refuses to listen, bring the matter to the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, let him be thought of as an unbeliever." 18 "I tell you the truth, what you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. And what you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

COMMENT: The church is given this responsibility.

19 "If two or three of you agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven." 20 "Where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there with them."

21 Peter came to Him and asked, "Lord, when my brother sins against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times?" 22 Jesus replied, "Not just seven times, but seventy times seven."

COMMENT: In other words, as often as he asks.

23 "The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants." 24 "One of his servants owed him ten thousand talents." Each talent was worth about 3000 coins. 25 "But his servant could not pay what he owed the king, so the king commanded that he and his family be sold to collect the payment." 26 "The servant fell down in front of him and begged for time to pay back what he owed." 27 "The King had compassion and forgave his debt." 28 "Then that servant went out and found someone who owed him a hundred small coins and seizing him by the throat, demanded full payment." 29 "His fellow servant fell to the ground and begged for time to pay it all back." 30 "But the first man was unwilling to wait and had him put in prison until he could pay his debt." 31 "Some of the people who watched this happen were deeply grieved and reported it to the king." 32 "The king summoned the man and called him to account for his actions after being forgiven his very large debt." 33 "He said, "Just as mercy was shown to you, so you should have shown mercy to your fellow servant. 34 "Moved with anger the king handed him over to the authorities until the debt he had been forgiven was entirely repaid."

COMMENT: Forgiveness from God can be recalled depending on how we treat our fellowman.

35 "My heavenly Father will do the same to you if you do not forgive each other from your heart."

COMMENT: Jesus is clearly saying that we are repentant, we can be forgiven by God. But if our actions toward each other do not reflect His mercy toward us, our salvation may be taken from us until we learn to have mercy. It is possible to loose our salvation at any time we stop reflecting God's goodness.

Matthew 19 - RWB Paraphrase (30 V)
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1 When Jesus had finished these sayings, He left Galilee for the coasts of Judea beyond the Jordon. 2 Large crowds followed Him and He healed them. 3 Some Pharisees tested Him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife under any circumstance?" 4 Jesus answered, "Haven't you read that He Who created them at the beginning made them male and female?"

COMMENT:

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image. He created them male and female.

Genesis 2:24 This is the reason a man leaves his father and mother, to be joined to his wife, so that they become one flesh.

5 "For this reason a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife. The two then become one flesh." 6 "Because of this they are no longer two, but one flesh. What God has joined together, let no man separate." 7 They then asked, "Why did Moses say to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away?"

COMMENT:

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 "When a man marries a wife and she does not find favor with him, and he writes a certificate of divorce and sends her away," [2] "and she then becomes another man's wife," [3] "if the next husband turns against her and writes her a certificate of divorce and sends her away, or if he dies and she is free," [4] "then the former husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again. This would be an abomination before the LORD. You shall not bring sin on the land the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance."

8 Jesus said, "Because of your hard hearts Moses permitted you to divorce your wives. But it was not this way from the beginning." 9 "I can tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." 10 The disciples then said, "If this is the way it is, it would be better not to marry." 11 Jesus replied, "Only the men to whom it is given can accept that idea." 12 "There are eunuchs born that way, eunuch made that way be men and eunuchs who have made themselves that way for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let those who can, accept this."

13 Some children were brought to Jesus so that He might lay His hands on them. But the disciples tried to prevent this. 14 But Jesus said, "Do not stop the children from coming to Me. The kingdom of heaven belongs such as these."

15 After laying His hands on them, He left that place. 16 Someone came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" 17 Jesus replied, "Why ask Me about what is good? There is only One who is good. But if you want eternal life, keep the commandments." 18 The young man said, "Which ones?" Jesus replied, "You shall not murder, do not commit adultery, or steal. Do not bear false witness."