#65 Jesus Charges the Twelve Apostles and Sends Them Forth

#65 Jesus Charges the Twelve Apostles and Sends Them Forth

Please first read: Matthew 10:1, 5-42; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6

Jesus the Christ

Apostle James E. Talmage

            “About this time, also, Jesus inaugurated a notable expansion of the ministry of the kingdom, by sending forth the Twelve on assigned missions. Since their ordination the apostles had been with their Lord, learning from Him by public discourse and private exposition, and acquiring invaluable experience and training through that privileged and blessed companionship. The purpose of their ordination was specified – “that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” They had been pupils under the Master’s watchful guidance for many months; and now they were called to enter upon the duties of their calling as preachers of the gospel and individual witnesses of the Christ. By way of final preparation they were specifically and solemnly charged.

            “They were directed to confine their ministrations for the time being “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” and not to open a propaganda among the Gentiles, nor even in Samaritan cities. . . . The subject of their discourses was to be that upon which they had heard the Master preach – “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” They were to exercise the authority of the Holy priesthood as conferred upon them by ordination; it was a specified part of their mission to “heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils,” as occasion presented itself; and they were commanded to give freely, even as they had freely received. Personal comfort and bodily needs they were not to provide for; the people were to be proved as to their willingness to receive and assist those who came in the name of the Lord; and the apostles themselves were to learn to rely upon a Provider more to be trusted than man; therefore money, extra clothing, and things of mere convenience were to be left behind. In the several towns they entered they were to seek entertainment and leave their blessing upon every worthy family into which they were received. If they found themselves rejected by a household or by a town as a whole, they were to shake the dust from their feet on leaving, as a testimony against the people.

            “Moreover they might expect to be brought before governors and kings, under which extreme conditions they were to rely upon divine inspiration as to what they should say, and not depend upon their own wisdom in preparation and premeditation; “For,” said the Master, “it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. . . . [They] were always to remember that they were servants, who ought not to expect to escape when even their Master was assailed. Nevertheless they were to be fearless, hesitating not to preach the gospel in plainness: for the most their persecutors could do was to kill the body. . . . Thus charged and instructed, the twelve special witnesses of the Christ set out upon their mission, traveling in pairs.”

Doctrinal New Testament Commentary

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie

            “Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus was a missionary. He traveled among the people, teaching the doctrines of salvation and healing them both physically and spiritually. His ministry marked the course and set the pattern for the missionary labors of his servants of all succeeding ages. . . And as it was in his day, so is it in [ours.]”

The Mortal Messiah, Volume 2

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie

            “When [Jesus] saw the multitude he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. . . . Had not Jehovah said by the mouth of Jeremiah: “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. . . . Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them. . . . And I will gather the remnant of my flock. . . . And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:1-6)

            “And so Jesus, accompanied by his disciples, is touring and preaching again in “all the cities and villages” of Galilee. He teaches in their synagogues and preaches on their streets. . . . And as he preaches, he heals “every sickness and every disease among the people,” meaning that those who accept him and believe his gospel are healed and those who – as in Nazareth – reject him, among them he can do no mighty works. . . . Success attends his labors; multitudes hang on his every word; there is more ministerial service to be performed than one man can do. He can preach in only one village at a time; there are others who need to be healed, others who cry out for the cleansing of their spirits and the healing of their bodies, others than those to whom he can minister personally.”

Other shepherds must be sent.

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Alfred Edersheim

            “Truly those to whom the Twelve were sent forth were ‘troubled’ as well as ‘scattered,’ like sheep that have not a Shepherd, and it was to deliver them from the ‘distress’ caused by ‘grievous wolves,’ and to gather into His fold those that had been scattered abroad, that Jesus sent forth the Twelve with [this] special commission. They were to speak good and to do good in the highest sense.”

·         Priests and religious individuals entering an area to teach of God were deemed by the public worthy of hospitality and provisions in exchange for their efforts.

·         These disciples are described here as “sheep in the midst of wolves” in a hostile world. Israel is to be as a harmless dove towards God and wise as serpents towards the gentile nations.

·         The persecutions are exclusively Jewish.

·         Jewish references of the “coming of the Son of Man” refer to the time of judgment.

·         The term Beelzebul was used as a derogatory name for Christ by the Pharisaic party of Jerusalem. “Beelzebul” meaning Master of the Temple, and “Zibbul” meaning Lord or Chief of Idolatrous Worship.

·         There were four modes of execution in use here at this time: stoning, burning, beheading, and crucifixion. This latter one was not a Jewish punishment, but the Jews, captive to Rome, were very familiar with it.

·         A common Jewish expression was “bearing the cross” when faced with sorrow and suffering. A familiar reading “Abraham carried the wood for the sacrifice of Isaac like one who bears his cross on his shoulder.” (Ber. R. 56.  Gen. 22:6)   

            “[T]he words of the Lord were not beyond the comprehension of the disciples. Starting from forms of thought and expressions with which they were familiar. He carried them far beyond the Jewish ideas and hopes.”

            “ All the more painful is the contrast of Jewish pride and self-righteousness, which attributes supreme merit to ministering, not as to God, but as to man; not for God’s sake, but for that of the man.”

The Words and Works of Jesus Christ

J. Dwight Pentecost

Defilement and Mutual Cleanliness: The Laws and Scriptures Versus Pharisaic Tradition

Jesus and his followers were under constant scrutiny because they were not observing the Pharisaic rituals of cleansing before and after eating food.

There were eighteen decrees to observe in any and all contact with gentiles. The required observances of handwashing and bathing were minute in detail. These rites and restrictions stood higher in the esteem of the Jews than the scriptures themselves. The Talmud says, “Give more heed to the words of the rabbis than to the words of the law.” One who neglected handwashing after eating was “as bad as a murderer.” Picture the disciples when the five thousand were fed and other similar events. 

When Christ was approached by the Pharisees and teachers of the law, they did not question the disciples’ conformity to the law of Moses, but rather their conformity to the traditions of the elders.”

The One Volume Bible Commentary

J. R. Dummelow

            “This mission was intended partly to prepare the way for visits from Jesus Himself, and partly to train the apostles for their future ministry. He sent them out ‘two and two’ for the sake of mutual encouragement. That is the true method of undertaking missionary work, as the experience of St. Paul shows. The apostles were to preach a little, but not much, since they were beginners. They were to prepare the way for Jesus, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ All accounts agree that they were to work miracles on a great scale (‘power over all the devils,’ ‘to heal every disease, and every infirmity.’) They healed by anointing with oil. Their power extended even to cleansing the lepers and raising the dead. This mission began about five weeks before the second Passover of the ministry, and lasted about a month. Having dismissed the apostles, Jesus went up to Jerusalem to the feast of, probably Purim, at the beginning of March. He then rejoined the Twelve shortly before Passover.”

Glenn R. McGettigan

July 2019

References

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie

“The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.” Volume 1. Edersheim

“The Words and Works of Jesus Christ.” Pentecost

“The Mortal Messiah.” Volume 2. McConkie

“The One Volume Bible Commentary.” Dummelow     

#58 Ministers of Jesus Must be Called of God

#58 Ministers of Jesus Must be Called of God

Matthew 8:18-22; Luke 9:57-62

Jesus and his disciples are preparing to leave the area. It has been a long day of crowds of people approving, challenging, and criticizing his teachings. He has now begun teaching in parables.  His audience is well-familiar with this style but they have not heard it from him before, and so there are even more questions. Much healing has been done, and learning within his small band of chosen disciples. All are tired.

The scriptures include three individuals coming to talk to Jesus about joining and going with him. We do not know the timing of these meetings. Jesus uses them as teaching situations to show the worldly sacrifice that is required and what must first be considered when one makes such a commitment to Him.

Apostle James E. Talmage:

While Jesus and his disciples are making ready the boat to cross the lake a certain scribe came to him and said, “Master, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest.” Few men of the titled or ruling class offered so openly to align themselves with Jesus. Official recognition by a scribe, one of standing and importance in the community, would appear to be an asset to their labors.   Jesus knows the hearts and minds of us all. He does the choosing and accepting. “In this instance, Christ knew the character of the man, and, without wounding his feelings by curt rejection, pointed out the sacrifice required of one who would follow whithersoever the Lord went, saying: ‘the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.’” We do not read that the aspiring scribe pressed his offer.

“Another man indicated his willingness to follow the Lord, but asked first for time to go and bury his father; to him Jesus said: ‘Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.’ Some have felt that this injunction was harsh. While it would be manifestly unfilial for a son to absent himself from his father’s funeral under ordinary conditions, nevertheless, if that son had been set apart to service of importance transcending all personal or family obligations, his ministerial duty would of right take precedence. The requirement expressed by Jesus was no greater than that made of every priest during his term of active service, nor was it more afflicting than the obligation of the Nazarite vow, under which many voluntarily placed themselves. The duties of ministry in the kingdom pertained to spiritual life; one dedicated thereto might well allow those who were negligent of spiritual things, and figuratively speaking, spiritually dead, to bury their dead.

“A third instance is presented; a man who wanted to be a disciple of the Lord asked that, before entering upon his duties, he be permitted to go home and bid farewell to his family and friends.   The reply of Jesus has become an aphorism in life and literature: ‘No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’”

                                                                                         

It is good to remember that during his three - year ministry one of the important, or even the most important thing, our Savior had to accomplish was to prepare the Twelve Apostles to continue leading the church after he leaves the earth. All these things they will need to know and do in his absence.

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie:

“Men do not choose to be ministers of Christ; rather he selects whom he will to represent him. ‘Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you,’ is the way he later explained this doctrine to the Twelve. When men are called of God by the spirit of revelation, called in the omnipotent wisdom of him who knoweth all things, those calls take precedence over all conflicting interests. Missionaries so sent forth habitually forsake all personal and family obligations. Loved ones may pass away, but missionaries remain at their posts, preaching the kingdom of God.” 

Glenn R. McGettigan

March 2019

References

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie

“The Mortal Messiah.” Volume 2. McConkie

“Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.” Smith

                      

#45 Jesus Calls The Twelves Apostles

#45 Jesus Calls The Twelve Apostles

Apostle James E. Talmage:

“A survey of the general characteristics and qualifications of this body of twelve men reveals some interesting facts. Before their selection as apostles they had all become close disciples of the Lord; they believed in Him; several of them, possibly all, had openly confessed that He was the Son of God; and yet it is doubtful that any one of them fully understood the real significance of the Savior’s work.

It is evident by the late remarks of many of them, and by the instructions and rebuke they called forth from the Master, that the common Jewish expectation of a Messiah who would reign in splendor as an earthly sovereign after He had subdued all other nations, had a place even in the hearts of these chosen ones. After long experience, Peter’s concern was: “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” They were as children to be trained and taught; but they were mostly willing pupils, receptive of soul, and imbued with a sincere eagerness to serve. To Jesus they were His little ones, His children, His servants, and His friends, as they merited. They were all of the common people, not rabbis, scholars, nor priestly officials. Their inner natures, not their outward accomplishments were taken into prime account in the Lord’s choosing. The Master chose them; they did not choose themselves; by Him they were ordained, and they could in consequence rely the more implicitly upon His guidance and support. To them much was given; and much was required. With the one black exception they all became shining lights in the kingdom of God, and vindicated the Master’s selection. He recognized in each the characteristics of fitness developed in the primeval world of spirits.” (Chapter 16)

Albright and Mann:

“Calling to him his twelve disciples, he gave them authority to cast out evil spirits, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, charging them as follows: Do not go along the route of the Gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town (again). Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and as you go, proclaim that the Kingdom of heaven is fast approaching. Heal the sick, cure lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying anything … give without payment. Do not carry gold, silver, or copper coin in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff. The worker deserves his keep. Find out who is suitable in any town or village you enter, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it, and if the house is deserving, then let your blessing rest upon it. If it is undeserving, let your blessing return to you. If anyone will not receive you, or listen to your words, then on your departure from that house or town, shake off the dust from your feet. I solemnly declare to you that Sodom and Gomorrah will be in happier case on the day of judgment than that town.” (Matthew 10:1-15)

Augsburger:

Jesus laments about the weary multitudes scattered like sheep and with no compassionate shepherd; ready for the harvest, but no laborers are in sight and many are needed; pray for God to send “shepherds.” How fitting it is that Jesus will now follow his own counsel and call more shepherds. (Matthew 9:35-38)

Larson’s work “Communicator’s Library” provides the following thoughts:

Although Jesus is now well-acquainted with these brethren, he spends the night in prayer and counseling with the Father before calling the Twelve. Among other things, isn’t this showing the example to all who would work in the Lord’s church?   

The time has now arrived for Jesus to begin formally organizing the Church and Kingdom of God on the earth. His ministry has been going about one and a half years (since his baptism by John the Baptist.)

He has established a presence and large groups of followers in Jerusalem and surrounding areas of his choosing. The Church Jesus will now organize and the gospel it will present will be (in full or in part) the same as in previous dispensations, and the same as today’s restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. “First apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers … after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 

(1 Cor. 12:28 – signs of the true church) (Luke 6:12-13)

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie

For these twelve “there was no happenstance in their calls; they had been foreordained by Him who knows all things and who had prepared them from all eternity to be his ministers in the meridian day.”

Witnesses of the Redeemer ... humble folk, weak and simple Galileans, unlearned in Rabbinic lore, but men who could be taught from on high, whose souls will vibrate as the revelations of eternity pour in upon them.” They are the ones Lehi, Nephi, Abraham, Jeremiah and other prophets saw in vision and who were chosen to be rulers before they were born. We know very little detail about the original twelve individuals, but as ordained apostles we know they went forward teaching, preaching, baptizing, ordaining, calling others, bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost, arbitrating, doing miracles and healings, testifying, rebuking evil … they were fearless in the performance of their office.      

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie:

The ordaining of the Twelve to the Apostleship was a/the major step in Jesus’ final organizing of his earthly Church and Kingdom.  As he prepares them to eventually preside over the affairs of his Church in his absence, they will also be given the Keys and Priesthood authority to do so.

Jesus had such zeal in his ministerial labors he would neglect to stop and eat or rest and care for his physical needs. His followers were concerned for his well-being and referred to him as one “beside himself,” as we sometimes do today. (Mark 3:20-21)

Eleven of the original twelve apostles were from the province of Galilee, where Jesus made his home at Capernaum during much of his active ministry. One apostle, Judas, was from the province of Judea wherein Jerusalem was located.

Glenn R. McGettigan

January 2016

References:

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” McConkie

“The Mortal Messiah.” Book 2. McConkie

“Communicator’s Library.” Larson

“Communicator’s Commentary.” Augsburger

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage

“A New Translation.” Albright and Mann

#42 The Disciples Pick Corn on the Sabbath

#42 The Disciples Pick Corn on the Sabbath

Please first read: Matthew 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5

J. Reuben Clark Jr.:

The disciples, hungry and going through a field of corn, pluck the ears of corn and eat them; the Pharisees charge them with violating the Sabbath; in justification Jesus cites David’s eating of the shewbread, that the priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath and are blameless; declares that in this place  there is one greater than the Temple, and that the “Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie:

After a number of days at Jerusalem for his second Passover Feast (some authorities believe this is a different feast than the Passover) Jesus and his disciples leave Judea and walk back again to Galilee. Judea is no longer a safe place for them, especially in Jerusalem. Jesus’ various teachings during the days there have caused serious animosity and hatred among various Jewish leaders … to the point of some seeking to put him to death. (See post #41.1 and #41.2) They have objected to most of his teachings, but especially to his accusations that they desecrate the Sabbath, and that he makes himself the equal with God. These are two of the main law violations that call for the death penalty. Many in Galilee are of this same opinion, but not to the degree as in Jerusalem.

It is again the Sabbath and Jesus is again in violation of their sacred Sabbath. As he and the others with him walk through cornfields they are hungry, so they pluck some ears of corn and eat the kernels. Under Jewish law it is permissible to do this from fields of others to satisfy one’s hunger, just not on the Sabbath. They are accused of both reaping (picking the corn) and harvesting (rubbing off the kernels) both of which violate Rabbinic (not biblical) law. Both of these could be considered capital offenses. It appears that Jesus was not so engaged and is not accused thereof, but his disciples.

Jesus defends his friends … they have done no wrong. By the Jews own traditions Sabbath observance becomes secondary to a higher law in proper cases. He cites when David and those with him went into the house of God and partook of the priest’s shewbread. Hunger and being on the Lord’ errand supersedes the Sabbath law. He also reminds them how temple priests do all the works involved to offer sacrifices on the Sabbath and are held blameless. Then he turns to their own scriptures stating that mercy is more important than ritualistic sacrifices. (Hosea 6:6)   Probably the most objectionable and distasteful words for them to finally hear (as recorded by the scriptures) would be that he (Jesus) “the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew and Luke) and he “is one greater than the Temple.” (Matthew)

Albright and Mann:

Plucking ears of grain was one of 39 major kinds of work forbidden on the Sabbath by Rabbinic law. The disciples technically are breaking the law but out of pressure of hunger, which can be allowed.

Apostle James E. Talmage:

Mosaic Law provides that when traveling through another’s field one is allowed to pick sufficient corn, grapes, fruit etc. to satisfy hunger.

Ludlow:

David and the Shewbread. The bread the priests had was consecrated for their use only.   Because of the urgent need of David and the hungry men with him the priests gave the bread to them. The Jewish leaders listening knew that Jesus was declaring himself to be the Messiah, the Anointed One when he used the phrase … “one greater than the Temple.”

The JST of Mark 2:27 clarifies: “For the Son of Man made the Sabbath day, therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath.”

Howick:

It had been some 400 years since the last of the Old Testament prophets. Over time the Rabbis had become the spiritual leaders and teachers of the Law. As they increasingly interpreted and made rulings and gave detailed instructions, the volume of law (now Rabbinic rulings) grew as layer was added to layer. Over time the words of the Rabbis were given precedent/priority over most everything else. At the time of Jesus the scribes were also much involved in influencing these activities.

The traditional law had three parts:

1.      The written Law of Moses.

2.      The oral law: traditional teachings implied or deduced from the Law of Moses.

3.      Oral teachings of the Rabbis: the “Hedge” placed around the law “to prevent any breach of the law or customs, to ensure exact observance” in all circumstances. This volume of rules was ever increasing.

Rules for the Sabbath had grown into a law controlling all other laws … requiring even stricter interpretation governing Jewish activities on the Sabbath.

Holzapfel and Wayment:

To the Jewish leaders, when Jesus here defends his disciples by comparing what had just occurred to David’s eating of the shewbread at the temple, the analogy makes Jesus the equal of David, the king of Israel. He explains his actions by, in effect, declaring himself to be a king and a priest. Then Jesus takes it one step further, he asserts that holiness was not in the law itself but rather in the lawgiver. “The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:28; Luke 6:5)

Jesus is now challenging and questioning the leader’s interpretation of these laws and rules, thus disparaging their authority to do so.

Glenn R. McGettigan

November 2015  

References:   

“Our Lord of the Gospels.” Clark

“The Mortal Messiah.” Volume 2. McConkie

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie  

“Study of the New Testament.” Ludlow

“The Miracles of Jesus the Messiah.” Howick

“The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ.” Volume 2. Holzaphel and Wayment

“The Gospel of Matthew.” Albright & Mann

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage

#39 Matthew Called

#39 Matthew Called

Please first read: Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.:

  

Jesus goes forth again by the seaside, and multitudes follow him, he teaches them; seeing 

Levi - Matthew - son of Alphaeus, sitting at the receipt of custom, he says, “Follow me,” and Matthew follows; Matthew makes a great feast for Jesus (in Matthew’s house) and a great company of publicans and sinners come and sit down; the Pharisees murmur at this, asking why he eats with publicans and sinners; Jesus answers that the sick, not the well, need a physician, and that he comes not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (some Pharisees may have detected a bit of irony here of Jesus implying that they were at the top of the list of those needing to repent and change.) (p.218)

                                                                          

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie:

By now in His ministry Jesus’ notoriety as a teacher and worker of good (miracles/healings) is established throughout all the Holy Land. Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees, and “doctors of the law” come from Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem to see and hear Him. Jesus is in the process of restoring the gospel for his day and dispensation. So far he has revealed new doctrine, ordained new officers, approved the baptisms of John, and preformed baptisms himself. In time he will call his Twelve special witnesses, give them the keys of the kingdom, and the power to bind on earth and seal in heaven. (Volume 2. p.55)

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie: 

It appears that when Jesus saw Matthew and said unto him, “Follow me.” Matthew immediately “left all, rose up, and followed him.” Matthew was a Jew. He was also a publican (a collector of taxes for the Romans) and all such were hated and despised by his people. It was particularly offensive for one of their own race to be so engaged. Publicans were customarily considered to be sinners. Rabbis ranked them as cutthroats and robbers, as social outcasts and religiously half-excommunicated. They were forbidden to serve as judges or to give evidence, and it was common to say of them: “A religious man who becomes a publican is to be driven out of the society of religion. It is not lawful to use the riches of such men.”

Matthew was one of these social outcasts; his friends and associates obviously belonged to the same group; and when he gave a feast (a sort of reception) for Jesus, it was publicans and sinners who assembled to meet the Master. When Jewish leaders criticized Jesus for eating and associating with such unsavory individuals, Jesus’ reply was “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.” The Pharisaic religion was one of ritualistic forms, of rules and ceremonies, of rites and sacrifices; actually, no one needed a physician more than the spiritually sick Pharisees. (p.180)

The author, Farrar, in his book titled “Life of Christ,” provided the following passage:    

At or near Capernaum there was a receipt of custom. Lying as the town did at the nucleus of roads which diverged to Tyre, to Damascus, to Jerusalem, and to Sepphoris, it was a busy centre of merchandise, and therefore a natural place for the collection of tribute and taxes. These imposts were to the Jews pre-eminently distasteful. The mere fact of having to pay them wounded their tenderest sensibilities. They were not only a badge of servitude; not only a daily and terrible witness that God seemed to have forsaken His land, and that all the splendid Messianic hopes and promises of their earlier history were merged in the disastrous twilight of subjugation to a foreign rule which was cruelly and contemptuously enforced; but more than this, the mere payment of such imposts wore almost the appearance of apostasy to the sensitive and scrupulous mind of a genuine Jew. It seemed to be a violation of the first principle of the Theocracy, such as could only be excused as the result of absolute compulsion. We cannot, therefore, wonder that the officers who gathered these taxes were regarded with profound dislike. It must be remembered that those with whom the provincials came into contact were not the Roman knights – the real publican, who farmed the taxes – but were the merest subordinates chosen from the dregs of the people, and so notorious was a class for their mal-practices, that they were regarded almost with horror, and were always included in the same category with harlots and sinners. When an occupation is thus despised and detested, it is clear that its members are apt to sink to the level at which they are placed by the popular odium. And if a Jew could scarcely persuade himself that it was right to pay taxes, how much more heinous a crime must it have been in his eyes to become the questionably-honest instrument for collecting them? If a publican was hated, how still more intense must have been the disgust entertained against a publican who was also a Jew? (p. 199)

Geikie:

  

Capernaum had a strong staff of custom-house officers, or publicans.   Much goods, merchandise and traffic flowed through it and dues and fees were required on most of it.   There were tolls on the highways, the bridges, docks at the lake and various other locations where payments of duty were required.   The Roman contracts required set amounts to be paid…anything extra they could charge and collect could kept as payment for their services.   This obviously opened the door for much fraud and animosity.

This was a critical time for Jesus, and his admission of a publican as a disciple could not fail to irritate his enemies still more, but he had not hesitation in his course. Sent to the lost, he gladly welcomed to his inmost circle one of their number in whom he saw the germs of true spiritual life, in calm disregard of all prejudices of the time.

It was natural that Matthew should celebrate an event so unique as his call by a great feast at his house; and no less so that he should invite a large number of his class to rejoice with him at the new era opened to him/them, or that he should extend the invitation to his friends of the proscribed classes generally … persons branded by public opinion as “sinners.” To the Rabbis, and the Pharisees at large, nothing could be more unbecoming and irregular than the presence of Jesus at Matthew’s feast. To be Levitically “clean” was the supreme necessity of their religious lives. (p.401)

Note: I first read Papini’s book, “Life of Christ” in 1958.  I very much enjoyed the style of writing, it’s beauty, and the feelings of love for the Savior which I felt from the author’s words. I include a couple of paragraphs, hopefully, for your enjoyment.   

“Matthew is the dearest of all the Twelve. He was a tax-gatherer, a sort of under-publican, and probably had more education than his companions. He followed Jesus as readily as the fishermen. “And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican name Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom:  and he said unto him, follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house.” It was not a heap of torn nets which Matthew left, but a position, a stipend, secure and increasing earnings.

            “Giving up riches is easy for a man who has almost nothing. Among the Twelve Matthew was certainly the richest before his conversion. Of no other is it told that he could offer a great feast, and this means that he made a greater and more meritorious sacrifice by his rising at the first call from the seat where he was collecting money.”

“Matthew and Judas were perhaps the only ones of the Disciples who knew how to write, and to Matthew we owe the first collection of Logia or memorable sayings of Jesus. In the Gospel which is called by his name, we find the most complete text of the Sermon on the Mount. Our debt to the poor excise-man is heavy; without him many words of Jesus, and the most beautiful, might have been lost. This handler of drachmas, shekels and talents, whom his despised trade must have predisposed to avarice, has laid up for us a treasure worth more than all the money coined on the earth.” (p. 228)

Edersheim:  

The term Pharisee means “separated one,” setting ones-self apart. This implies the Pharisee wants no contact, nothing to do with these unworthys; the exclusion of sinners. This was a main point of contention between them and Jesus. By calling Matthew (a publican, a sinner) to Jesus’ inner circle, Jesus would be knowingly attacking a very basic tenet of their doctrine. The actions and teachings of Christ are an absolute and fundamental contrariety to that of the Rabbis. This also sends a message to others who are ostracized by the Jews that they too may be welcome in this new gospel. (p. 508)

Glenn R. McGettigan

             August 2015; Revised October 2015

            

References:

“Our Lord of the Gospels.” Clark

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.” Edersheim

“Life of Christ.” Farrar    

“Life of Christ.” Geike   

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie

“Mortal Messiah.” Book 2. McConkie

“Matthew: A New Translation.” Albright & Mann    

“Life of Christ.” Papini

#34 Peter's Wife's Mother Healed

#34 Peter’s Wife’s Mother Healed

Please first read: Matthew 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-34; Luke 4:38-41

It is the evening of the Sabbath and appears to have been a busy day for Jesus and those with him in the Synagogue. Upon arriving at Peter’s home they find Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a “great fever.” The Lord takes her hand, she arises well, and proceeds as hostess to the guests in her house.

So many healings by the Lord were people he had not seen on earth before. This was an instance of a close personal acquaintance who knew and loved him.

Scholars often, when translating this scriptural account from the Greek, write it as a “burning fever.” This area of Capernaum is noted for its marshy land and the fevers that it causes. Joseph Smith in his translation of Mark 19:27 and Luke 4:38 tells us it was a “great fever,” and the family or others had been out seeking Jesus to come heal Peter’s mother-in-law; so it might have been more serious than just a mild sickness.

The King James version of the bible tells us that Peter, one of the Lord’s closest disciples, has a wife. As Elder Bruce R. McConkie reminds us, “Jesus’ special selected disciples were married men with wives and children of their own. Such is the Lord’s program in all ages.”

Miracles … healings, casting out of evil spirits … were performed for believers only … there must be faith present. Miracles always attract people, but especially so at this time in the society and culture of these Jewish people. (JST Matthew 4:22) Great multitudes came from near and far to see and follow the One who could Heal. The scriptures tell us that Jesus traveled “about all Galilee.” With the number of well-peopled cities there, it would take time, maybe several months to do all this. His well-publicized miracles would attract multitudes who would then hear the Master’s teachings.

The attending crowd would be increased at even-time. All the city comes to the home bringing with them many sick with diseases and possessed of devils; and with his word he heals all and casts out the evil spirits. Healing on the Sabbath was absolutely forbidden by the Jewish rulers … that was considered working on the Sabbath. With the evening and the end of the Sabbath day, people could bring their afflicted to be healed without incurring the wrath of their leaders.

As we have seen before, the evil spirits and devils recognize and know Jesus is the Son of God and attempt to testify of Him … He forbids them to speak. The time will come when the Jewish leaders will unsuccessfully insist the Lord does these miraculous things by the power of Satan.

Glenn R. McGettigan

February 2015

References:  

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage

“Companion to Study of the New Testament: Four Gospels.” Ludlow  

“Life of Christ.” Geikie

“Days of the Living Christ.” Volume 1. Skousen    

“Behold the Messiah.” Matthews    

“Miracles of Jesus the Messiah.” Howick

“Our lord of the Gospels.” J.R. Clark       

#32 Jesus Calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John

#32 Jesus Calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John

Please first read: Matt 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11; JST John: 1:42; JST Matt 4:18-21

President J. Reuben Clark Jr.:

Jesus, pressed by the people, stands by the Lake of Gennesaret; he sits in Simon’s boat, and having it pushed out a little from the shore, he teaches the  people; he then takes Simon and his boat into the sea, tells Simon to cast his net; Simon demurs, saying he has toiled all night and taken nothing, but says he will do as told; he casts his net and gets so many fish that the net breaks; he beckons his other partners who come and they fill both ships. Peter falls upon his knees saying, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord;” all are astonished, and he says to them – Peter, Andrew, James, and John, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men;” they leave their boats and follow him.

Jesus is now selecting a small group of disciples and beginning their preparation for a future calling. He comes upon Peter and Andrew and after he testifies to them that he is the Messiah they follow him. (JST Matthew 4:18-21) James and John are also called to be followers, or disciples, and they do so. They will later become Apostles. Phillip is not mentioned but was also among the followers of Jesus here. It is he who brought Nathaniel to Jesus. Matthew and Mark record this as the same event; Luke’s account appears to be a separate occasion.

The scriptures show that Jesus had to keep calling these and other disciples back to him. They were young in their discipleship. The Greek “disciple” means “learner” and in the strict sense of the word a physical follower of the teacher. They also show that even after the Lord’s resurrection he had to call some of these same followers back to their callings as Apostles. It will not be until the Gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed upon them on the Day of Pentecost that they will leave the temporal and give full service to the Apostleship.

“Casting out” and “fishers and hunters of men” were familiar expressions in their own Jewish scriptures. (Jeremiah 16) Fishing was a metaphor for missionary work. Regarding Jesus’ saying, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men,” President Harold B. Lee, in October 1960, likened it to “If you will keep my commandments, I will make you leaders of men.”

Jesus spent much of his time with the poor and downtrodden but they were not the only ones to follow him. Fishing in Galilee was a thriving industry. These four called disciples appear to have successful fishing businesses … they own their boats and have hired employees working for them. It is very likely there were kinship and/or occupational ties between some of them. Eleven of the Twelve Apostles called by Jesus came from around the Sea of Galilee. It also seems reasonable to me there would certainly be a cross section of the public, especially from what we would refer to as the “middle class.”

John the Baptist was instrumental in preparing some of Jesus’ closest disciples. This was part of his calling. Kinship may also have played a role in his gaining early followers ready to accept Jesus when he came.  

“Apostles” and “Disciples’ as defined in Jesus’ time:

·         Disciple: an adherent, a learner, one who follows another’s teachings; especially of the Twelve Apostles. (Vines Dictionary of NT Words)           

·         Apostle: In Jewish Palestine it was “the one sent,” i.e. emissaries commissioned by the Sanhedrin, rabbis, etc. to represent them and act in their name with authority on fiscal or legal matters. Greek: one sent, charged, or commissioned. The criteria for an Apostle elsewhere in the New Testament seem to be mainly two: 1. A witness of the risen Christ, and 2. One commissioned by Jesus to proclaim the Christ. (J. Fitzmyer, “The Gospel According to Luke)

·         Apostle: The Twelve called by Jesus and sent forth to preach the Gospel and be with him during his ministry on earth, one sent forth. (Smith’s Bible Dictionary)

Glenn R. McGettigan       

December 2014; Revised: September 2015

References:

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” McConkie  

“Mortal Messiah.” Volume 2. McConkie

“Our Lord of the Gospels.” Clark  

“The Gospel According to Mark.” Mann 

“The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ.” Holzaphel and Wayment  

“Gospel Studies of the New Testament.” Ludlow

“The Gospel According to Luke.” Volume 1. Fitzmyer