Matt. 9 Matt. 9:1–8 Christ cures one sick of the palsy, Matt. 9:9 calleth Matthew from the receipt of custom, Matt. 9:10–13 justifieth himself for eating with publicans and sinners, Matt. 9:14–17 and his disciples for not fasting. Matt.

Whether the same ship he came in or no it is not material: he passed over the lake of Gennesaret, and came into his own city; not Bethlehem, in which he was born, but either Nazareth, where he was brought up, or (which most judge) Capernaum, whither, leaving Nazareth, he went formerly to dwell,…

The history of this miracle is reported by Mark 2:3–12; by Luke, Luke 5:18–26; by both with more circumstances than Matthew doth report it. Mark saith, He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

Mark saith, There were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only? Mark 2:6–7.

Mark repeats almost the same words, Mark 2:8–10. So doth Luke, Luke 5:22–24. Christ here giveth the scribes and Pharisees a demonstration of his Deity, by letting them know that he knew their thoughts, Jesus knowing their thoughts said; a thing not compatible to angels, much less to one who is mere…

Mark saith. And immediately he arose, took up his bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion, Mark 2:12.

Mark hath the same story, Mark 2:14, only he calleth him Levi, and tells us he was the son of Alphaeus. Luke also mentions it, Luke 5:27–28, and calls him Levi, adding that he was a publican, and saith that he left all, rose up, and followed him.

Luke saith that Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them, Luke 5:29. Mark saith, there were many, and they followed him, Mark 2:15.

Mark hath the same, Mark 2:16; so hath Luke, Luke 5:30, only he saith they murmured. The Pharisees having a perfect malice to Christ, did not only seek all means to carp at him, but to bring him under a popular odium: this seemed a fair opportunity.

Mark and Luke, in the places before mentioned, have the same answer, only leaving out these words, Go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, quoted from Hos. 6:6. Our Saviour’s reply to the Pharisees, to him that duly considers it, will appear very smart. 1.

Mark hath this same history, almost in the same words, Mark 2:18–22, only he saith that some of the disciples of the Pharisees came with the disciples of John.

Mark hath this history, Mark 5:22–24, And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be…

Mark addeth, Mark 5:26–27, that she had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse; when she had heard of Jesus, she came in the press behind, and touched his garment, &c. Luke saith, the border of his garment.

Matthew relates this story shortly, as he doth many others, being only intent upon recording the miracle. We must here supply something out of Mark and Luke.

Neither Mark nor Luke speak any thing of the minstrels, but only of the people’s wailing. Amongst the Jews we read not in any part of the Old Testament of musical instruments used at funerals, but amongst the pagans it was usual, as we read in their writers.

Mark saith, Mark 5:39–40, When he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

Mark saith, Mark 5:41–43, And he took the damsel by the hand and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

This miracle is reported only by St. Matthew, though the other evangelists tell us of some others of the same kind. They followed him in the way, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

Some think this the same mentioned Luke 11:14, as shortly as it is here. The word in the Greek signifies deaf as well as dumb, for all persons who are deaf from their birth are also dumb.

This was not the only time they said so: see Matt. 12:24, Mark 3:22, Luke 11:15. See Poole on “Matt. 12:24”. I shall in my notes on Matt. 12:24 speak more fully to this text, where we shall also meet with our Saviour’s vindication of himself from this imputation.

We met with these words Matt. 4:23, only there it was all Galilee, by which probably this text ought to be expounded: See Poole on “Matt. 4:23”.

Mark hath something of this, Mark 6:34. It pitied him, who came down from heaven to earth to seek and to save lost souls, to see what a company of people followed him, willing to be instructed, because they were εκλελυμενοι, or, as some read it, εσκυλμενοι, tired and wearied with running after him…

See Poole on “Matt. 9:38”.

The plain sense of these two verses is this: John the Baptist and Christ had now been preaching for some time, God inclined the hearts of great multitudes to follow both the one and the other; there was a great people prepared for the Lord: Matt.