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 10 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 10:1-12 – Pharisees Debate About Divorce

CHAPTER TEN:
DIVORCE, CHILDREN, MATERIALISM, BAPTISM,
AND A RANSOM

[“Child-like Service”]
Key word: Minister

Mark 10:1-12 – Pharisees Debate About Divorce

|| Matthew 19:1-9[1]

MK10:1 Now Jesus left from there and arrived along the border of Judaea on the other side of the Jordan. And the crowds gathered again, and as was his custom he began to teach them. MK10:2 Pharisees were also there and trying to test Jesus they asked him: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” MK10:3 So Jesus began to answer them, asking: “What did Moses command you?” MK10:4 So they answered: “Moses permitted a divorce certificate so a man could dismiss his wife” [Deuteronomy 24:1] MK10:5 Now Jesus responded and said: “Because of the hard-heartedness[2] of you [men] Moses wrote such a commandment. MK10:6 However, from the beginning of [human] creation ‘the God made [humankind] male and female. … MK10:7 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and [[and stick to his wife]].[3] MK10:8 And the two will be one flesh, and so they are not longer two, but one flesh.’[4] [Genesis 1:27; 2:24] MK10:9 Therefore, whatever the God yoked together, let no one separate.” MK10:10 Now later in the house the disciples asked him the same question again. MK10:11 So Jesus told them: “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.[5] MK10:12 Also, if a woman ever divorces her husband[6] and marries another – she commits adultery.”

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[1] Matthew 19:1-9: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Hard-heartedness: Or, perversity. Jesus means the hearts of Jewish husbands. Matthew states that this was a concession by Moses, and not something that came from God. Tradition had evolved the original divorce statement into virtually anything in the wife that displeased her husband. This was true of many cultures where a man only had to raise two fingers to dismiss a wife he was displeased with. Jewish law did not permit a woman to divorce her husband.

[3] Bracketed words are recognized as not adequately supported.

[4] One flesh: Jesus creates a conflate, that is, a combination of two verses into a single paraphrase or quote. He combines Genesis 1:27 with Genesis 2:24.

[5] Commits adultery against her: It is the innocent victim who is ‘adulterated.’ On the occasion of this discussion Jesus does not state the only grounds for divorce as he does elsewhere.

[6] A woman ever divorces her husband: This had to shock all those listening as under Jewish law a woman could not divorce her husband. Roman law did permit this and it is to Romans he writes. The saying in the ancient world was ‘the further one goes west the more liberated the woman becomes.’

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Preceding

Matthew 5:31-32 – 3. The Nazarene’s Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:1

Matthew 19:3-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Grounds for Divorce

Matthew 19:3-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Grounds for Divorce – additional verses

Matthew 19:10-12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Celibacy

Mark 9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 9:49-50 – Have Salt and Keep Peace

Mark 9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Review Questions on Chapter Nine

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Additional reading

1. Today’s exhortation on Mark 10 With God all things are possible
2. Today’s thought “Is it lawful to divorce … for any cause” (July 18)
3. Today’s thought “The times of ignorance” (November 5)
4. Need to Embrace People Where They Are
5. Cohabitating Seniors and the Meaning of Marriage
6. Parenting in changing times
7. Youngsters, parents and the search to root in life
8. About marriages and divorces
9. What Does The Bible Say About….Fornication?
10. Two synods and life in the church community

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Related

1. Mark 10 on their way to Jerusalem
2. Mark 10 Jesus teaches on divorce and marriage
3. Jesus Teaches About Divorce (Mark 10:1-12)
4. Abuse, Divorce, and Remarriage
5. 7th week of ordinary time-cycle-2 Friday gospel-reading – Mark 10:1-12
6. I Thee Wed: Jesus’ Teaching on Marriage and Divorce – Mark 10:1-12
7. More Stubborn than Righteous
8. Permission to Be Hard?
9. God’s Family Plan
10. Oct 3, 2021: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
11. With This Ring!
12. Forming Institutions – Marriage
13. A Mark 10 Study

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:14-21 – Warning About Doctrinal Leaven

Mark 8:14-21 – Warning About Doctrinal Leaven

|| Matthew 16:5-12[1]

MK8:14 Now the disciples had forgotten to bring enough bread and only had one loaf with them in the boat.[2] MK8:15 It was then Jesus warned them, saying: “Keep looking and be on guard against the leaven of the Pharisees,[3] as well as the leaven of Herod.”[4] MK8:16 So they reasoned among themselves: “Does he say this because we did not bring bread?” MK8:17 Jesus was aware of this, so he said to them: “Why do you discuss this among yourselves? Do you not see or understand? Are you so dull of understanding?[5] MK8:18 ‘Eyes you have but do not see, ears and do not hear?’[6] [Jeremiah 5:21] MK8:19 When I continued to break the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets of leftovers did you gather?” They said: “Twelve.” MK8:20 “And also with the seven loaves among the four thousand, how many baskets of leftovers did you gather?” And they responded: “Seven.” MK8:21 “Why do you still not understand?”[7]

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[1] Matthew 16:5-12: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Only had one loaf with them in the boat: Again the apostles worry about what they will eat in the future after they have eaten the one loaf.

[3] Leaven of the Pharisees: Elsewhere Jesus explains this to be the “teachings” or “doctrine” of the Pharisees. Some of these same doctrines are found in modern churches and sects, indicating that not all have listened to this warning. For details see Pharisees or leaven in the footnote commentary on Matthew. Religious doctrine.

[4] Leaven of Herod: Compare notes on Matthew 16:6 and Luke 12:1. Political doctrine.

[5] Dull of understanding: Jesus is not easy on his apostles and speaks his mind whether this hurts their feelings or not.

[6] Do not hear: Jesus references Jeremiah 5:21. Compare also Isaiah 44:18 and Ezekiel 12:2. Jesus plies a powerful text to his own apostles.

[7] Still not understand: In modern times millions of materialistic Christians have never learned this lesson stated at Matthew 6:29-34. The Church has become one of the most materialistic bodies on earth.

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Preceding

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:1-9 – 4000 Fed

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:10-13 – Pharisees Seek Sign

Matthew 16:5-12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Watch Out for the Leaven of False Teaching

Matthew 6:1-34 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Leviticus 19:18 Continued 5 Matthew 6: 24-34: e) Anxiety and neighbor love

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