Matthew 2
Mark 2 shows the authority of Jesus and the core of His ministry through several events that occurred in the early days of His public ministry. In this chapter, the healing of the paralyzed man (verses 1–12), the calling of Levi (Matthew) (verses 13–17), the dispute about fasting (verses 18–22), the dispute about the Sabbath (verses 23–28) unfold in sequence as four major incidents. In each incident, conversations appear with people who challenge or question Jesus, and Jesus answers those questions in a distinctive way.
1verseNow when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
2verse“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
3verseWhen King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4verseGathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.
5verseThey said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,
6verse‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a governor who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’”
7verseThen Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.
8verseHe sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.”
9verseThey, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them until it came and stood over where the young child was.
10verseWhen they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
11verseThey came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12verseBeing warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
13verseNow when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
14verseHe arose and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt,
15verseand was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
16verseThen Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.
17verseThen that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
18verse“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more.”
19verseBut when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
20verse“Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.”
21verseHe arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22verseBut when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee,
23verseand came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he will be called a Nazarene.
Key Content by Major Incident
- Healing of the paralyzed man: Your friends tear open the roof and bring the paralyzed man to Jesus. Jesus forgives his sins and also heals him. This reveals that Jesus has authority to forgive sins as well.
- The calling of Levi (Matthew) and a meal: He calls a man named tax collector Levi as a disciple and eats with sinners. This emphasizes God’s invitation and grace that cross the boundaries of caution and discrimination.
- A question about fasting: The Pharisees and John’s disciples ask Jesus why His disciples do not fast. Jesus explains by speaking of parables about new wine and new wineskins, showing that His ministry is opening a new era.
- A dispute about the Sabbath: In the dispute that arises as the disciples pluck and rub grain on the Sabbath, Jesus declares that “the Sabbath was made for man,” and proclaims that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.
Jesus’ Authority and Identity
Across the entire chapter, an important theme is the authority of Jesus. The authority to forgive sins, the authority to call tax collectors and sinners, the authority to reinterpret the purposes of the Law and traditions, and even the authority to be Lord over the Sabbath are revealed. This declares that Jesus is not merely a teacher, but the one who leads in salvation and the new era.
Points for Reflection
- What questions and answers do I engage in when faced with the authority and invitation of Jesus?
- How can I meet the One who calls everyone beyond boundaries and discrimination in my life today?
- Beyond familiar religious habits or ways of thinking, am I listening to the new meaning and freedom that Jesus opens up?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- I also remember that I need the courage to reveal my sin and weakness in the presence of the Lord’s love and authority.
- Following Jesus’ gaze toward the excluded around me, I check my own relationships and boundaries as well.
- Rather than being bound up in religious life and tradition, I can apply this so that it becomes a day focused more on the meaning of life that Jesus truly teaches.
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