The man of St Matthew

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

FEASTING AND FASTING: Mt 9,9-17

Note how Matthew has simplified the introduction: who are missing from Mk 2,13?

The call of Matthew by Jesus is told in verse 9 and we note that it is similar to the calls in 4,18-22. See also I Kings 19,19-21.
Consider why the name of the tax collector has been changed from Mk 2,14. There is a possible clue in 10,3 and Mk 3,18.

It's not clear whose house it is in verse 10, Matthew's or Jesus'.

For verse 10, we've just met the tax collector. Where do we find the sinner?

Note how the Pharisees address Jesus in verse 11 - see also 8,19.

How has Matthew altered Mark in verses 12-13? Consider what Jesus is saying to the the Pharisees at the beginning of verse 13: how will they respond?
Look up Hosea 6,6 and look too at 12,7. Who are the righteous in verse 13?

In verse 14, the topic changes to fasting. Who are questioning Jesus? How has Matthew altered Mark here and what are the implications? For this, see also 9,3 and 9,11. We can note here that these are more likely to be customary fasts (6,11-18) than the major obligatory fasts such as the Day of Antonement.

What word has Matthew changed in verse 15 from Mk 2,19?
For the background and imagery of Jesus' reply in verse 15 see Isaiah 62,4-5 and Joel 2,15-16.

Two similar parables follow in verses 16 and 17. How do they contrast?
Matthew has added an extra clause to Mk 2,22. What is its significance? See 13,52.

We can now go to my response.

The Sunday Gospel

The Gospel for the 10th Sunday is Mt 9,9-13. This is the only Sunday Gospel taken from chapters 8 and 9, there is no telling of Jesus' deeds of power. These are covered elsewhere in the Sunday cycle. So too are the verses on fasting (9,14-17), these are read from Mark's Gospel in year B.

The Old Testament reading accompanying this Gospel is Hosea 6,3-6. Read Ho 5,15-6,6, comment on the choice and the editing of this reading.

Take a look at my response.

We can move on to the third cycle of healings, 9.18-35.