GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
The Third Cycle of Jesus' Deeds of Power: Mt 9,18-35
We now come to the third cycle and third trio of deeds of power by Jesus.
It begins with a double healing (9,18-26) which Matthew has taken from Mark (Mk 5,21-43).
After that, Matthew becomes somewhat artificial with his final two healings (9,27-31 and 9,32-34). See who are present at the time of these healings (9,14.18). Then look forward to 11,5 where Jesus is speaking to the disciples of John the Baptist. There we will see the evidence which is needed for Jesus' reply to John and how that has been provided by these healings.
A look at my response will be good before we continue.
A Girl and a Woman: 9,18-26
Begin by reading this episode and then read the account as told in Mk 5,21-43. What has Matthew done to Mark? First, compare the two and try to see the effect of Matthew's editing. My verse to verse comments will help to see the issues arising more closely.
In verse 18, there is a much simpler opening than Mk 5,21. Why, do you think? See 9,1.
How does Matthew describe the man who approaches Jesus? Look this time at Mk 5,22 and also Lk 8,41. Then look at Mt 9,18 in the NRSV. What does the man do? See 2,11.
How has the girl's condition been changed from Mark (Mk 5,22)?
What is the ruler asking Jesus to do?
Verse 19: note who are following Jesus in Matthew, here there is another change from Mark (Mk 5,24).
Verse 20 then opens up the second healing. In Mark, this is the middle story of a classical sandwich where we are invited to compare the inner and outer healings. This sandwich technique is not so obvious here.
It is this middle story which has been drastically shortened by Matthew, 9 verses in Mark (Mk 5,25-33) becoming 3 in Matthew (9,20-22). The effect is similar to Matthew's editing of an earlier healing (8,14-15). What key word occurs three times in verses 21 and 22?
Coming to verse 23, we can see how Mk 5,35-37 has been cut out. Note those in Mark 5,37 who are no longer present despite 9,19. Who has Matthew added in verse 23?
Verse 24 is similar to Mk 5,39 but note how all those in Mk 5,40 are excluded in 9,25.
For verse 25, see also 8,15 and 9,5. What is the theme of all three?
What comment of Mark's that links the girl and the woman is now omitted?
Finally, note the contrasting endings: 9,26 with Mk 5,43.
After all that, have a look at my response.
The Blind and the Deaf: 9,27-34
To round off his series of healings, Matthew needs Jesus to give sight to the blind and to make the deaf hear. As we have noted, that is the evidence Jesus needs to give to John the Baptist a little later (11,5). Matthew's way of doing this is to recycle other stories. Look therefore at 20,29-34 (and Mk 10,46-52) and at 12,22-24.
Note that Mark's one blind beggar becomes two in Matthew, just as with the Gaderene demoniacs earlier (8,28). The link with the source stories is established by giving Jesus the same title. What happens for the first time in this episode? How does this give a deeper significance to the opening of the eyes?
In verses 29 and 30 note the simplicity of the healing, just as we have seen for the girl and the woman. The simple statement of belief is enough. This compares with what happens in the original story, 20,31.
Despite the prohibition in verse 30, the word is spread in verse 31 as it is in verse 26.
Finally, we have a deaf man brought to Jesus in verse 32. See 12,22-24 and compare what happens in verse 23 with 12,22. What part does the man play in his healing? (This is a contrast with the previous healing).
Compare translations, including RNJB, for: 9,32; 11,5; 12,22; 15,30. See if you can spot the word that is given in two translations.
Note how the crowd's reaction in verse 33 echoes 9,8. See also verses 26 and 31.
Then note how the Pharisees' reaction in verse 34 reflects verse 33 and goes further than 9,11. See how this will be taken up in 12,24 followed by Jesus' reply in 12,25-37.
Take now a look at my response.
We have now completed our reading of Matthew's presentation of Jesus Messiah by word and by deed. Finally recall how 9,35 repeats 4,23. We are reading this verse with the following chapter.
We continue therefore with our overview of chapter 10.