2016 April

Mark 7:24-37

Jesus expels a demon from the daughter of a Gentile woman (7:24-30; see also Matthew 15:21-28). Jesus heals a deaf man's hearing and speech (7:31-37; see also Matthew 15:29-31). A woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, came and fell at Jesus' feet. Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter. But Jesus said, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

Dick Donovan2019-08-09T08:04:20-07:00Biblical Commentary, Mark|

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

The parable of the mustard seed (13:31-32; see also Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19). The parable of the yeast (13:33; see also Luke 13:20-21). Three short parables (13:44-50). Old and new treasures (13:51-52). "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches."

Dick Donovan2019-08-14T20:31:50-07:00Biblical Commentary, Matthew|

Matthew 9:35 – 10:23

Plentiful harvest, few laborers (9:35-38 ; see also Luke 10:2-3). The Twelve Apostles and their mission (10:1-23; see also Mark 3:13-19; 6:6-13; Luke 6:12-16; 9:1-6). Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.

Dick Donovan2019-08-08T10:17:45-07:00Biblical Commentary, Matthew|

Mark 7:1-23

The Pharisees ask Jesus, "Why don't your disciples observe the traditions?" (7:1-8; see also Matthew 15:1-9). That which defiles (7:14-15; see also Matthew 7:10-11). Evil comes from within and defiles a person (7:21-23; see also Matthew 15:15-20). Jesus He answered, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.'"

Dick Donovan2019-08-09T08:03:28-07:00Biblical Commentary, Mark|

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

The parable of the weeds (vv. 24-30). The Kingdom of God (vv. 36-43). "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it."

Dick Donovan2019-08-08T10:29:59-07:00Biblical Commentary, Matthew|

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

The parable of the sower (see also Mark 4:1-9; Luke 8:4-15). Jesus spoke many things in parables, saying, "Behold, a farmer went out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn't have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty."

Dick Donovan2019-08-08T10:27:34-07:00Biblical Commentary, Matthew|

Mark 6:45-52

This story follows on the heels of the feeding of the five thousand, a stupendous miracle (6:30-44). After their involvement in that miracle, it would seem that Jesus' disciples would not be surprised by anything—but that turns out not to be the case.

Dick Donovan2019-07-09T11:33:12-07:00Biblical Commentary, Mark|

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Jesus calls Matthew (9:9-13; see also Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32) Little girl dies. Woman with hemorrhage. (9:18-26; see also Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56). Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, "Follow me." Matthew got up and followed him. The Pharisees said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

Dick Donovan2019-08-08T10:15:58-07:00Biblical Commentary, Matthew|

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

To what will I compare this generation (11:16-19). Jesus gives thanks to his Father (11:25-30; see also Luke 10:21-22). "Come to me, all who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Dick Donovan2019-08-08T10:25:21-07:00Biblical Commentary, Matthew|

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Jesus takes his disciples to a deserted place to rest awhile (6:30-34; see also Matthew 14:13; Luke 9:10). Jesus heals the sick in Gennesaret (6:53-56; see also Matthew 14:34-36). Wherever Jesus went, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch just the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.

Dick Donovan2019-08-09T07:58:37-07:00Biblical Commentary, Mark|

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