The Gospel Of Matthew 8

1. Jesus declared that what defiles us is

Eating food not approved by God

Our evil hearts that create evil thoughts, words, and actions

The people we associate with

The dreams we have

If food doesn’t defile, then what does? Jesus answered, “Those things
which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a
man.” Here “the heart” is not the organ that pumps the blood, but the evil,
corrupt source of human motives and desires. This part of man’s moral
nature manifests itself by impure thoughts, then by depraved words, then
by evil acts, of which the Lord lists some examples in verse 19.

Explanation

If food doesn’t defile, then what does? Jesus answered, “Those things
which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a
man.” Here “the heart” is not the organ that pumps the blood, but the evil,
corrupt source of human motives and desires. This part of man’s moral
nature manifests itself by impure thoughts, then by depraved words, then
by evil acts, of which the Lord lists some examples in verse 19.

2. The Canaanite woman

Humbly accepted Christ’s assessment and begged for mercy

Was incensed by the Lord’s reply and reviled Him

Was saddened by the Lord’s reply and turned away

Arrogantly refused Christ’s assessment and defended her position

Her reply was magnificent. She agreed with His description completely.
Taking the place of an unworthy Gentile, she cast herself on His mercy,
compassion, and grace. She said, in effect, “You are right! I am only a dog
under the table. You are feeding your chosen people at the table

Explanation

Her reply was magnificent. She agreed with His description completely.
Taking the place of an unworthy Gentile, she cast herself on His mercy,
compassion, and grace. She said, in effect, “You are right! I am only a dog
under the table. You are feeding your chosen people at the table

3. Jesus accused the Pharisees and scribes of transgressing

The commandment of God

The tradition of the elders

The social standards of the day

The laws of the Roman government

Thus, when the Pharisees criticized the disciples, it was
for their failure to observe these additional rules.
The Lord Jesus reminded His critics that what they were transgressing
was “the commandment of God,” not simply the tradition of the elders. Then
He went on to give an example of how they did this

Explanation

Thus, when the Pharisees criticized the disciples, it was
for their failure to observe these additional rules.
The Lord Jesus reminded His critics that what they were transgressing
was “the commandment of God,” not simply the tradition of the elders. Then
He went on to give an example of how they did this

4. To deny self means to

Live without everything you desire

Yield completely to God’s control

Live without the basic necessities of life

Remove yourself from contact with the world

Now the Lord Jesus plainly states what is involved in being His
disciples; it means denial of self, cross bearing, and following Him. To
deny self is not the same as self-denial. It means to yield to His control so
completely that self has no rights whatever.

Explanation

Now the Lord Jesus plainly states what is involved in being His
disciples; it means denial of self, cross bearing, and following Him. To
deny self is not the same as self-denial. It means to yield to His control so
completely that self has no rights whatever.

5. To have faith for moving mountains must be based on

A strong desire for something

A need that must be met

A command or promise of God

A lengthy time of self-denial

Of
course, it should be understood that true faith must be based upon some
command or promise of God. A Christian cannot expect to perform some
spectacular stunt in order to gratify a personal whim. That is not faith, but
presumption.

Explanation

Of
course, it should be understood that true faith must be based upon some
command or promise of God. A Christian cannot expect to perform some
spectacular stunt in order to gratify a personal whim. That is not faith, but
presumption.

6. Because the Canaanite woman was a Gentile she

Expected Jesus to answer her request

Had no claim on the mercies of God

Had a right to the same privileges as the Jews

Understood the protocol of addressing God

Through Israel’s disobedience, some had
survived the invasion of Canaan under Joshua, and this woman was a
descendant of the surviving remnant. As a Gentile, she did not enjoy the
privileges of God’s chosen earthly people. She was an alien, a stranger,
having no hope, and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12). As far as her
status was concerned, she had no claim on God or on His Messiah

Explanation

Through Israel’s disobedience, some had
survived the invasion of Canaan under Joshua, and this woman was a
descendant of the surviving remnant. As a Gentile, she did not enjoy the
privileges of God’s chosen earthly people. She was an alien, a stranger,
having no hope, and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12). As far as her
status was concerned, she had no claim on God or on His Messiah

7. The concept of clean and unclean in the Old Testament

Had to do with moral purity

Had to do with spiritual health

Was important for physical health

Was entirely a ceremonial matter

First of all, the whole concept of clean and unclean goes back to the Old
Testament Scriptures. It had nothing to do with physical, moral, or spiritual
cleanness, but was entirely a ceremonial matter. If a person touched a dead
body, for instance, he was ceremonially unclean. Or, if he ate certain things,
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he contracted ceremonial defilement.

Explanation

First of all, the whole concept of clean and unclean goes back to the Old
Testament Scriptures. It had nothing to do with physical, moral, or spiritual
cleanness, but was entirely a ceremonial matter. If a person touched a dead
body, for instance, he was ceremonially unclean. Or, if he ate certain things,
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118  The Gospel of Matthew
he contracted ceremonial defilement.

8. Jesus paid the temple tax

So He wouldn’t create unnecessary offense

Because He was required to

To pacify the Pharisees

So He wouldn’t embarrass Peter

For Him to
pay tribute for the support of this temple would be equivalent to paying
tribute to Himself. However, rather than cause unnecessary offense, the
Lord agreed to pay the tax.

Explanation

For Him to
pay tribute for the support of this temple would be equivalent to paying
tribute to Himself. However, rather than cause unnecessary offense, the
Lord agreed to pay the tax.

9. The "rock" on which Jesus said the church would be built is

Peter himself

The apostles

The prophets

Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Son of God

If Peter is not the rock, then what is? From the context, the most obvious
answer is that the rock is Peter’s confession that Christ is the Son of the
living God. The church is founded on the truth that Christ is none other
than the Son of God

Explanation

If Peter is not the rock, then what is? From the context, the most obvious
answer is that the rock is Peter’s confession that Christ is the Son of the
living God. The church is founded on the truth that Christ is none other
than the Son of God

10. Christ's transfiguration was a ___________ of His kingdom of glory.

Fulfillment

Preview

Remembrance

Denial

The scene was a preview of what the Lord Jesus will be like when He
comes back to set up His kingdom. He will no longer appear as the sacrificial
Lamb but as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. No longer will His glory be
veiled in human flesh; all who see Him will recognize Him immediately
as God the Son

Explanation

The scene was a preview of what the Lord Jesus will be like when He
comes back to set up His kingdom. He will no longer appear as the sacrificial
Lamb but as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. No longer will His glory be
veiled in human flesh; all who see Him will recognize Him immediately
as God the Son