And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
What does Matthew 9:1 mean?
The faith of the friends of the paralytic in bringing him to Christ, was a strong faith; they firmly believed that Jesus Christ both could and would heal him. A strong faith regards no obstacles in pressing after Christ.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Matthew 9:1-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Matthew 9:1
And he entered into a ship ... - Jesus acceded to the request of the people of Gadara Matthew 8:34 , recrossed the Lake of Gennesareth, and returned to his own city. By "his own city" is meant Capernaum Mark 2:1 , the city which was at that time his home, or where he had his dwelling. See the notes at Matthew 4:13 . This same account, with some additional circumstances, is contained in Mark 2:3-12 , and Luke 5:18-26 .
Key words
- entered
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And he entered into a ship,.
- ship
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And he entered into a ship,.
- over
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Or "the ship", the selfsame ship he came over in, with his disciples.
Context in Matthew 9
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Matthew 9 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as ministry and teaching blocks. Matthew presents Jesus as Davidic Messiah, new Moses, teacher of the kingdom, suffering Son of Man, and risen Lord who commissions the nations. Read this chapter with the wider themes of fulfillment, kingdom of heaven, and discipleship in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.
Glossary
- City People
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The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).
- Sea of Galilee Place
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A city, the modern Tubarich, on the western shore of the Sea of Tiberias. It is said to have been founded by Herod Antipas. Modern identification: Sea of Galilee.