All the Sick Healed by Touching Jesus' Garment
Mat 14:34 When they had quite crossed over, they put ashore at Gennesaret;
Mat 14:35 and the men of the place, recognizing Him, sent word into all the country round. So they brought all the sick to Him,
Mat 14:36 and they entreated Him that they might but touch the tassel of His outer garment; and all who did so were restored to perfect health.
Introduction
Remember that we have just read in chapter 14 of the Feeding of the Five Thousand with five small loaves and Two fish; as well as the account of Jesus and Peter walking on water on a windy night on the Sea of Galilee. On arrival at Gennesaret the people bring to Him all their sick.
Mat 14:34 When they had quite crossed over, they put ashore at Gennesaret;
Notes.
They came into the land of Gennesaret. A small district four miles long and two or three wide, [ 6.4 kms by 3.5 kms.] on the west side of the Sea of Galilee, to which it gave one of its names. Josephus describes it as the garden of the whole land, and possessing a fertility and loveliness almost unparalleled. PNT
Mat 14:35 and the men of the place, recognizing Him, sent word into all the country round. So they brought all the sick to Him,
Notes.
News of Jesus arrival spread quickly. The compassionate Saviour; the Healer of every disease had come to their territory and they must seize the opportunity.
So they brought all the sick to Him, .. The cripples the infirmed elderly,the blind deaf and dumb were all brought to Jesus. We should be desirous that all about us should partake of the benefits that Christ confers. When we know him and have tested his goodness, we should take pains that all around us may also be brought to him and be saved, Mat_14:35. Barnes
Mat 14:36 and they entreated Him that they might but touch the tassel of His outer garment; and all who did so were restored to perfect health.
Notes.
They entreated Him that they might but touch the tassel of His outer garment;WNT.
And they begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His robe. MKJV.
The Jewish custom of having tassels on the outer corners of one’s outer cloak.
Touched the hem of his garment - This garment was probably the square garment which was thrown over the shoulders. See notes at Mat_5:40. This was surrounded by a border or “fringe;” and this “fringe,” or the loose threads hanging down, is what is meant by the “hem.” The Jews were commanded to wear this, in order to distinguish them from other nations. See Num_15:38-39;
Num 15:38 Speak to the sons of Israel and command them that they make fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue.
Num 15:39 And it shall be to you for a fringe, that you may look upon it and remember all the commands of Jehovah, and do them; and so that you do not seek after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you prostitute yourself,
Num 15:40 that you may remember and do all My commands, and be holy to your God.
Deu 22:12 You shall make for yourself tassels on the four corners of your cloak with which you cover. Barnes Notes on Matt 9:20
The hem of his garment. The numbers that pressed upon him seemed almost too large for him to be able to heal them singly by laying his hands upon them, therefore many begged that they might be allowed to touch if it were but the border of his garment
All who touch it were made perfectly whole (διεσώθησαν)
The preposition διά, through or through, indicates complete restoration.
The Rev. omits perfectly, because whole, in itself, implies completeness. VWS
What mighty influence must the grace and Spirit of Christ have in the soul, when even the border or hem of His garment produced such wonders in the bodies of those who touched it! Here is a man who has turned from sin to God through Christ, ..... Then, no wonder that he knows and feels his sins forgiven, his soul purified, and his heart filled with the fullness of his Maker. Lord, increase our faith! and we shall see greater manifestations of thy power and glory! Amen. A.Clark
No comments:
Post a Comment