Matthew 19:1  "...region of Judea beyond the Jordan" Area on the east side of the river.  The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had settled there when they first entered the land.  Not sure how they handled the tribal divisions after the exile.  In order to avoid Samaria, Jews from Galilee would cross the Jordan …

Continue reading Bible Study Notes on Matthew 19 – 20180131

Matthew 18:1  "...Who then is greatest..." Seems petty to us, but we must remember where they are in knowledge and expectation.  They still didn't fully understand Christ's mission, even though He was telling them He had to go die quite often.  Commentary suggests the events of the recent past, the transfiguration incident, not being able …

Continue reading Bible Study Notes on Matthew 18 – 20180129

Matthew 17:1  "...after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John..." Luke records it as eight days.  Commentary suggests it's the difference of time reckoning between a Jewish tax collector and a Gentile physician.  The inner circle of disciples, Peter, James, and John.  Given Jesus's humanity as well as His divinity, it's hard to know …

Continue reading Bible Study Notes on Matthew 17 – 20180126

Matthew 16:13  "...the region of Caesarea Philippi..." North of the Sea of Galilee.  Commentary traced the past few movements of Jesus as recorded in Matthew.  Appears He went up through Tyre and Sidon, then down to the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, over to the western side, back to the eastern side, then …

Continue reading Bible Study Notes on Matthew 16:13-28 – 20180123

Matthew 16:2-3  "...When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening..." A high school teacher told us once, red sky at night, sailors' delight, red sky at morning, sailors take warning.  …

Continue reading Bible Study Notes on Matthew 16:1-12 – 20180122

Matthew 15:30  "...great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others..." Those that didn't need healing brought those that did.  It's easy to think of people as selfish and self-centered, but many here had great compassion for others.  They wanted to be sure the sick got a chance …

Continue reading Bible Study Notes on Matthew 15:29-39 – 20180119

Matthew 15:1  "...Pharisees who were from Jerusalem..." He can't get away from the rascals.  Not content to cause trouble in Jerusalem, these had to travel up to Capernaum to harass Jesus.  Commentary mentioned that their presence in the synagogues in Capernaum and surrounding areas may have been why Jesus changed His method of teaching, from …

Continue reading Bible Study Notes on Matthew 15:1-28 – 20180117