Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:27-32 – Tax-man Levi Called

Luke 5:27-32 – Tax-man Levi Called

|| Matthew 9:9-12;[1] Mark 2:13-17[2]

LK5:27 Now later Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office. Jesus said to him: “Follow me.” LK5:28 So Levi rose, and leaving everything behind,[3] he followed Jesus. LK5:29 Then Levi arranged a great banquet for Jesus in his own home, and so there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others reclining at the meal with them. LK5:30 But the Pharisees and Bible Copyists began to murmur against the disciples of Jesus, saying: “Why are you all eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?” LK5:31 So Jesus answered and said to them: “The healthy do not need a physician[4] but the sick do. LK5:32 I have not come to call righteous persons[5] to repentance but rather sinners.”

[1] Matthew 9:9-12: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Mark 2:13-17: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

[3] Left everything behind: May we think this included money?

[4] Physician: We can imagine Luke particularly interested in this statement. [Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17]

[5] Righteous persons: Or, law-abiding persons. As opposed to law-breakers.

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Preceding

1. Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:1-11 – Fishermen Follow Jesus
2. Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:12-16 – Healing a Leper and Then Privacy
3. Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:17-26 – Who Can Forgive Sins?
4. Matthew 9:9-13 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Pharisees Accuse When Matthew Is Called
5. Matthew 9:9-13 – What others are saying about Jesus’ attitude and tax collectors
6. Mark 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 2:13-17 – Accused of Associating With Sinners

Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:17-26 – Who Can Forgive Sins?

Luke 5:17-26 – Who Can Forgive Sins?

|| Matthew 9:1-8;[1] Mark 2:1-12[2]

LK5:17 Now it occurred during those days when Jesus was teaching some Pharisees and teachers of the Law were sitting around – for they had arrived from every village in Galilee and Judea, including Jerusalem – and YHWH’s power was with him to heal.[3] LK5:18 And, look, men approached carrying a paralyzed person on a pallet and they sought a way to place him before Jesus. LK5:19 When they could not find a way to carry him through the crowds they went on to the roof and through the tiles they lowered him on the pallet among them right in front of Jesus. LK5:20 Now when Jesus observed their faith, he said: “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” LK5:21 Then the Bible Copyists[4] and Pharisees began to discuss this among themselves: “Who is this person to speak such blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins except The God Himself?”[5] LK5:22 When Jesus realized their thinking he responded to them: “Why do you reason this way in your hearts? LK5:23 Which is easier to say? ‘Your sins have been forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up and walk.’ LK5:24 However, so that you will realize that the ‘Son of Humankind’[6] [Daniel 7:13] has authority on earth to forgive sins[7] – Jesus said to the paralyzed man – I tell you: rise, pick up your pallet, and return to your house.” LK5:25 And instantly the man rose before them all, picked up the pallet upon which he lay, and departed to his house giving glory to The God. LK5:26 So the crowd was overcome in ecstasy[8] and they also began to glorify The God, and filled with fear they said: “We have seen strange things[9] this day!”

[1] Matthew 9:1-8: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Mark 2:1-12: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

[3] YHWH’s power was with him to heal: Or, the power of the Lord was present to heal them. The Greek is DYNAMIS KYRIOU [power of Lord]. The “Lord” here is The God of Jesus. The Nazarene’s power to heal did not originate from himself but from his Father.

[4] Bible Copyists: Or, scribes, Bible scholars. The Greek is GRAMMATEIS, the Hebrew Sopherim. They were also teachers and highly respected. They also acted as public notaries or secretaries.

[5] Who is able to forgive sins except The God Himself: Or, but God alone. This is a Jewish assertion and not to be used as an argument that Jesus was actually God. In these accounts the Nazarene states that he has received such authority from God, and the crowds draw this same conclusion. That others may receive such authority is seen at John 20:23.

[6] Son of Humankind: This is the first occurrence of two dozen of the designation drawn from Daniel 7:13.

[7] The Son of Humankind has authority on earth to forgive sins: Jesus uses the designation “Son of Man” as a general title for himself as Messiah. However, he also uses the name for himself before he experienced a human birth. Note John 6:62. The language here could be understood to refer to his pre-existence. For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on the subject pre-existence in the gospel of John as well as in Biblical Articles.

[8] Ecstasy: Or, amazed, astonished, dumbfounded. The Greek is ECSTASIS.

[9] Strange things: Or, wonders, unaccountable things, marvelous things, incredible. The Greek is PARADOXA.

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Preceding

1. Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:1-11 – Fishermen Follow Jesus
2. Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:12-16 – Healing a Leper and Then Privacy

Mark 9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 9:14-24 – Help Me Where I Need Faith

Mark 9:14-24 – Help Me Where I Need Faith

|| Matthew 17:14-21;[1] Luke 9:34-42

MK9:14 Now when they approached the [other] disciples[2] they saw a large crowd around them, and the Bible Copyists were asking them questions. MK9:15 Suddenly when the whole crowd saw Jesus they ran forward to welcome him. MK9:16 Then Jesus asked the Bible Copyists: “What is your argument with them?” MK9:17 So one in the crowd said: “Lord, I brought to you my son who has a speechless demon. MK9:18 Whenever the demon seizes him he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and then becomes rigid. Now I asked your disciples to exorcise the demon and but could not do it.” MK9:19 Jesus answered him: “O faithless generation,[3] how much longer must I remain with you? How much longer must I tolerate you? Bring the boy here!” MK9:20 Now as soon as they brought him to Jesus, when he saw Jesus, instantly the demon threw the boy into convulsions, and foaming at the mouth he kept rolling on the ground. MK9:21 Jesus asked the father: “How long has he been doing this?” The father answered: “Since he was a child. MK9:22 Often the demon throws him into a fire, or into water to drown him.[4] But, if you can do anything, have pity on us and help.” MK9:23 Jesus told him: “That ‘if you are able’ – everything is possible to the person who believes!” MK9:24 Instantly, the father of the young boy said: “I believe! Help me with my unbelief!”[5]

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[1] Matthew 17:14-21: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] The [other] disciples: That is, those not including Peter, John and James. The other eight apostles have been involved in another matter.

[3] O faithless generation: Jesus includes the eight apostles.

[4] Into water to drown him: Demons become trapped within the material form they inhabit and the only thing left is to drive the person to suicide.

[5] Help me with my unbelief: Many have prayed the same since.

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Preceding

Mark 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 5:1-10 – Demon ‘Legion’ Expelled

Mark 9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 9:1-8 – The Transfiguration

Mark 9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 9:9-13 – Elijah Has Come

Matthew 12:22-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: the Charge of Demonism

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Additional reading

1. Today’s thought “According to your faith” (July 8)
2. Matthew 17:14-21 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed

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Related

1. Monday through Friday with People of Faith: Day 223/260: The Father of the Possessed Boy
2. Coming Down the Mountain
3. I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!
4. “Lord, I Believe; Help My Unbelief!”
5. belief in the middle of struggle
6. Help my unbelief

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:1-8 – Vain Worship and Human Doctrines

CHAPTER SEVEN:
TRADITION AND DEFILED HEARTS, PUPPIES,
AND A DEAF MAN

[“Doing What Is Right”]

Key word: Tradition

Mark 7:1-8 – Vain Worship and Human Doctrines

|| Matthew 15:1-9[1]

MK7:1 Now the Pharisees approached Jesus along with certain Bible Copyists from Jerusalem. MK7:2 When they observed some of his disciples eating bread with defiled hands[2] – that is, without [ceremonially] washing them[3] – [[they found fault]].[4] MK7:3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat without [ceremonially] washing their hands, holding to traditions of ancient elders. MK7:4 When they return from the market they do not eat without [ceremonially] washing their hands. And there are many other things[5] that they have received by tradition – the [ceremonial] washing of cups, pots, copper bowls and tables. MK7:5 So the Pharisees and Bible Copyists asked Jesus: “Why do your disciples not conduct themselves according to the traditions of the elders, but eat bread with defiled hands?” MK7:6 Jesus answered them and said: “Excellently has Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites, exactly as it has been written: ‘This people [of Israel] honors me with their lips, but their heart is distant from me. MK7:7 Their worship of Me is completely worthless,[6] because they teach as doctrine human commands.’[7] [Isaiah 29:13] MK7:8 You set aside the commandment of the God and [instead] hold fast to human traditions.”

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[1] Matthew 15:1-9: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Defiled hands: It does not mean “dirty” hands but those that have not been ceremonially washed.

[3] Washing them: Such a ceremonial ‘baptism’ was a rabbinical addition to the Law of Moses.[Luke 11:38] The Babylonian Talmud [Sotah 4b] placed such a violation equally with prostitution.

[4] Not in some manuscripts.

[5] Many other things: Beginning with about 200 Mosaic regulations, they swelled to 600, and then later 100,000.

[6] Their worship of Me is completely worthless: Or, in vain, empty show. The worship of God’s people is not automatically accepted as though there was nothing they could do wrong. Compare notes on James 1:27-29.

[7] They teach as doctrine human commands: Or, precepts. Those who worship God by means of human doctrines do so in vain. [1 Timothy 4:1-3]

 

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Preceding

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Review Questions on Chapter Six

Matthew 15 An argument with the Scribes – Teachers and traditions

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:22-28 – Teaching in a Synagogue

Mark 1:22-28 – Teaching in a Synagogue

|| Luke 4:31-37

MK1:22 The people were astounded at his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, and not as the Bible Copyists.[1] MK1:23 Suddenly right there in their synagogue there was a man possessed by an unclean demon.[2] He screamed out: MK1:24 “What is there between us,[3] Jesus the Nazarene?[4] Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are[5] – the Saint of the God!”[6] MK1:25 But Jesus rebuked it,[7] saying: “Shut up! Come out of him!” MK1:26 Then causing the man to have convulsions the unclean demon came out of him with a loud shriek. MK1:27 Everyone was astonished, so they began to ask one another: “What does this mean? A new teaching?[8] One with such authority that even unclean demons obey his orders!” MK1:28 And at once the report about Jesus spread everywhere in the countryside around Galilee.

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[1] Bible Copyists: Or, scribes. These were men who devoted their lives to making precise copies of the Hebrew Bible. We see their fingers stained black from ink, and the older men with arthritic joints from such labors.

[2] Unclean demon: Or, impure spirit.

[3] What is there between us: See notes on John 2:4.

[4] Jesus the Nazarene: Note the designation used.

[5] I know who you are: Note both the “us” and the “I.” It is the view of some that these spirits [demons, or fallen angels] knew this person during his pre-existence.

[6] Saint of the God: Or, the Holy One of God. The demons use TOU THEOU [HO THEOS]. The language is understood by some to allude to Christ’s pre-existence.

[7] Rebuked it: Or, him. The Greek AUTO can permit “it.”

[8] A new teaching: Or, doctrine.

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Preceding

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:1-8 – The Beginning of the Good News

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:3-6 – John Preaches Baptism of Repentance

Mark 1 – Additional Bible Students notes on Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:12-13 – Tempted by the Devil

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:14-15 – Kingdom Has Drawn Near

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:16-21 – Becoming Fishers of Men

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Related

1. Mighty Name of Jesus!
2. A Year of Listening to Jesus The Power of The Word
3. Morning Musing: Mark 1:28