Search The Scriptures —Study 28 — Matthew 18:1-35

Study 28 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 18:1-35

We are stopping here to go to the book of Jeremiah. We will return to the book of Matthew later.

1.      Verses 1-14.  Consider Christ’s teaching on children (see also 19:13-15).  What are the qualities of the childlike spirit suggested in verses 3, 4? How should the Christian act towards children or those young in faith?

2.     What do verses 15-20 teach us about the way of reconciliation? What do we also learn here concerning the nature and the ministry of the local church, and concerning the practical value of acting together with others?

3.     How does the parable in verses 23-35 answer Peter’s question in verse 21?  What other lessons does it teach?

Note. Verse 18, 19.  There is a play on words in Greek in verse 18. ‘Petros’ means ‘stone’; ‘Petra means ‘rock’.  Note that Christ did not say, ‘On thee I will build my church.’ Peter had just made the classic confession of faith in Christ. Equally in verses 22, 23 he can be seen as an agent of Satan.  The power of the keys, i.e., of ‘loosing’ and ‘binding’, is one of great authority; but it is that of a steward rather than a door-keeper.  The keys are the keys of knowledge (cf. Lk. 11:52) which Christ entrusts to those who preach the gospel, and thus ‘open the kingdom of heaven to all believers’.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 27 — Matthew 17:14-27

Study 27 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 17:14-27

1.      Verses 14-20. What were the reasons for the powerlessness of the disciples? What does Christ tell is the one indispensable secret of success?

2.     Verses 24:27. What practical lesson is enshrined in the story of the Temple tax? What does it teach about the Christian’s responsibility towards his fellow-men? Cf. 1 Cor. 10:31-33; Rom. 13:6, 7.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 26 — Matthew 16:21 – 17:13

Study 26 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 16:21 – 17:13

      1.      16:21 indicates Christ’s clear awareness of the cross ahead.  The word ‘must’ expresses a sense of inward necessity.  What does this reveal about the character of Christ’s death?

      2.     What are the terms of discipleship (verse 24)? What incentive does Christ put forward in verses 25-28 to encourage His disciple to pay the cost?  What did Peter particularly need to learn (verse 22, 23)?

3.     In the story of the transfiguration (17:1-13), can you see its purpose (a) for Christ Himself, and (b) for His disciples?

Notes 16:28. The reference here to ‘the Son of man coming in his kingdom’ would seem to be not to His second advent but to His post-resurrection Triumph and exaltation to the throne. 

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Search The Scriptures —Study 25 — Matthew 16:1-20

Study 25 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 16:1-20 

      1.      Christ condemns, in verses 1-4, the Jews’ inability to read ‘the signs of the times’.  What does He mean by this? How were the disciples similarly guilty? See verses 5-12.  What response should such signs produce?

     2.     Verses 13-20.  This incident at Caesarea Philippi is clearly the ‘hinge-point’ of the Gospel narrative.  From now on Christ withdraws from the crowds, and concentrates on teaching the disciples. Why is the question about His Person so crucial? Cf. 1 Jn. 4:2, 3; 5:1a, 5.

3.     Note the three things which our Lord says to Peter in verses 17-19. With verse 17, cf. 1 Cor. 12:3; with verse 18, cf. 1 Cor. 3:11; 1 Pet. 2:4-6; and with verse 19, cf. 18:18; Jn. 20:23

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Search The Scriptures —Study 24 — Matthew 15:21-39

Study 24 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 15:21-39

      1.      Verses 21-28. Why did our Lord treat the Canaanite woman in this way? Do you see the purpose behind it? Cf. Lk. 11:8; 18:1; 1 Peter 1:7. Contrast Mt. 8:23, 26; 15:28, 30, 31.

      2.     In all the miracles in this passage Christ seems to be dealing with Gentiles.  Note the phrase ‘the God of Israel’ in verse 31. This seems to be contrary to the principle of verse 24. What was our Lord thus beginning to reveal concerning the full purpose of His mission?  Cf. Mt. 24:14; 28:19; Rom. 1:16 (the last nine words)

Note. Verse 37. The word for ‘basket’ here is spluris, the large Gentile basket, contrasted with the Jewish kophinos in 14:20.  The same accuracy of distinction is found in 16:9, 10.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 23 — Matthew 15: 1-20

Study 23 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 15: 1-20

      1.      For what reasons does Christ condemn the religious outlook of the Pharisees? How may we be in danger of similar failure?

      2.     These verses emphasize the importance of man’s heart. Cf. 5:8, 28; 12:34; 18:35. What is meant here by the word ‘heart’? Cf. 18. Is. 10:7, av and RV. How then can a man’s actions be put right?

3.     What are the three groups of people to whom Christ speaks in these verses?  Do you notice any difference in His manner of teaching them?  Has this any implication for Christian teaching today?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 22 — Matthew 14: 13-36

Study 22 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 14: 13-36

      1.      Consider the miracles of these verses as parables in action. What particularly do you learn from the response and failure of the disciples? For what qualities, do we need to pray if we are to be found faithful?

      2.     From the same stories consider the light cast upon the Person of Christ.  What characteristics are unmistakably revealed?

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