These small group studies of Matthew contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, verse by verse commentary, and applications. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Matthew 9:27-38 Inductive Bible Study – Discussion Questions and Verse by Verse Commentary
Matthew 9:27-38
Outline:
- Jesus Heals the Blind (27-30)
- Jesus Heals the Mute (31-34)
- The Harvest is Plentiful and the Workers are Few (35-38)
I. Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute (27-34)
Discussion Questions
How could a blind man follow Jesus?
What may this show us about these men?
Why do they say “Have mercy on us?” Was it mercy for Jesus to heal them or did they deserve it?
How can this effect our attitude when we get sick and pray for healing? Is God obligated to heal us?
Why do they use the term “Son of David?”
Why did Jesus ask them about their belief prior to healing them? How might it have helped their growth to make a public statement of faith? Is it important for us to proclaim our faith publicly or is it OK to just believe in our hearts? Why?
Why did Jesus tell them not to spread the news?
Why do you think they may have ignored Him?
Cross-References
Mark 1:43-45 – Jesus could no longer preach there because the crowds became too large.
Matthew 1:1 – Jesus, Son of David.
Psalm 132:11, Isaiah 9:7 – The prophecy was made that the Messiah would come from David’s descendants.
Isaiah 61:1 – Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim good news to the poor…
Verse by Verse Commentary
- Blind men following Jesus – It must not have been easy for them to follow Jesus or move quickly with the crowds all around. Perhaps they received some help. Or they just followed the noise of the crowds. Either way it shows their perseverance. They were determined to go to Jesus much like the paralytic man. And they were not worried about what people thought of them yelling again and again in public. Application: Don’t let anything keep you from Jesus.
- Son of David – This is a term often used for the Messiah. The people knew that the Messiah would be descended from David. When the blind men used this term it showed that they were familiar with the Scriptures and it also showed that they had faith that Jesus was the Messiah. His lineage was not really public information so they were accepting it in faith based on the deeds that He had done.
- Have mercy on us – They correctly recognized that it would be merciful of Jesus to heal them. In other words, they did not deserve to be healed by Jesus. It was not their right to be healed. Jesus was not obligated to heal them. He could have refused their request and still be perfectly holy and just. Application: We should learn from these men and change our attitudes when we or our relatives get sick. Yes, we should pray and request healing. But we should always remember that God is not required to heal us. He is not obligated to do so. Therefore we have no reason to get angry or bitter if we do no receive the healing that we hope for. We should ask Him for His mercy. And He often does show mercy in this way. But sometimes He may choose not to heal for His own reasons (such as refining our character) and we must graciously accept it and not lose faith.
- Jesus gave them a chance to state their faith publicly – Romans 10:9-10. Public profession of faith is very important.
- It increases our own faith when we make a stand.
- It allows us to identify with Christ.
- It provides an opportunity for being a good testimony to others.
- It causes us to gain boldness and this boldness can influence others positively.
- Jesus healed them according to their faith – God offers His gifts to people. It is something that cannot be earned or deserved. Faith is when we stretch out our hands to accept the gift that He gives. Does that mean that we are responsible for those gifts? Of course not. But we are responsible to believe Him and receive them.
- Jesus warned them not to spread this news out – See Mark 1:43-45. Sometimes Jesus told people not to spread out what He had done. We don’t always know the reasons why, but in Mark 1 we can see one example of why He told people this. When the news of His miracles spread out then crowds of people came to Him wanting to be healed. At times this would hinder His ministry of preaching and also teaching His disciples. It seems very ungrateful that they didn’t obey Jesus in this matter. At the same time, God has saved us from worse than blindness and we also disobey Him.
II. Jesus Heals the Mute (31-34)
Discussion Questions
What was the matter with this man?
What power does this demon demonstrate over this man? What does this teach us about demons?
What power does Jesus show here?
How did the Pharisees respond to what Jesus did? What does this show about their hearts?
Cross-References
Matthew 12:31-32 – The unforgivable sin.
Verse by Verse Commentary
- The demon possessed man – It seems the demon caused the man to become mute. It was not caused by physical reasons, but by the spiritual oppression of this demon who would not allow the man to talk. From this passage we can see that demons are powerful. Though they are spirits, they can affect the physical world, especially through a willing vessel. Application: We should be alert and prayerful to pray against Satan and his demon’s attacks. Remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of wickedness.
- Jesus healed the man without the man making a statement of faith – Jesus works in different ways at different times. He is not restrained to work by our own faith or lack of it. The man was indeed incapable of verbally expressing faith in Jesus since the demon was controlling Him. Thus here seems to be an example of Jesus unilaterally choosing to have mercy on this man.
- The people were amazed – Jesus’ works were proof of who He was. John 10:38. However, in the end people were only convinced temporally as when the true tests of faith came they didn’t stick with Jesus. Their minds were convinced, but their hearts were not necessarily changed.
- The Jewish leaders claim Jesus did the miracles by the power of Satan – We will look more at this when we reach Matthew 12:22-28.
III. The Harvest is Plentiful and the Workers are Few (35-38)
Discussion Questions
What is the connection between verses 35-36 and 37?
How did He feel when He saw so many lost people?
How do you feel when you see the lost all around you?
Do you believe the harvest is plentiful today? Are there enough workers? Can you give any examples of the fact that there are not enough workers?
Is it enough to pray or does God want you to work in the harvest field? Where is your harvest field?
How can you be a worker? How can you be a a better worker?
Do you pray for more workers?
Take a quick look at the next chapter to see if the disciples only prayed.
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 9:10 – God multiplies our seed for sowing.
Galatians 6:9 – In due time you will reap if you don’t grow weary.
1 Corinthians 3:9 – For we are God’s fellow workers.
1 Corinthians 15:58 – Always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your labor is not in vain.
Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, do your work heartily for the Lord rather than for men.
Verse by Verse Commentary
- Jesus ministered throughout the whole region – His time was limited and He worked hard. He taught and preached the gospel and healed their sicknesses. He did not ignore their pressing physical needs to focus on the spiritual needs. And He did not focus only on their physical needs to the exclusion of the spiritual. He ministered to all of their needs, physical and spiritual.
- Jesus felt compassion for them – This is one of Jesus’ key character traits which He exhibits again and again. He was surrounded by sinners. He was surrounded by evil. He was surrounded by people who used Him or tried to take advantage of Him. Some people tried to obtain healing without permission like the lady who bled for 12 years. Some people were healed and then didn’t even take time to say “thank you” like 9 of he lepers. Some were healed and then immediately ignored His instructions not to spread out the news. Some witnessed His miracles and believed, but quickly turned away. Others said He was doing it by the power of Satan. Through all of this He had compassion. He didn’t get angry. He didn’t send fire and brimstone from heaven to consume them. He didn’t lose patience. He dealt with crowds of needy (and often annoying) people day after day without complaint and without rest. He ate with them and traveled with them. He associated with the very worst of sinners. He did all of this because of compassion. He saw these pitiful people and He had pity on them. Instead of pushing them away, He drew them close and helped them. Application: What are some ways you can show compassion on others like Jesus did? When might it be difficult for you to show compassion?
- They were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd – The people were lost. They were like blind and wandering sheep with no shepherd. Jesus saw the heart of the matter. He saw through all of the smiles or frowns. He saw through the questions hostile or sincere. He saw through the facades that people put up, thinking or saying that everything is all right. He saw them for how they truly were, sheep with no shepherd. Creatures made in the image of God, living a life of despair and hopelessness. He saw their hearts. He saw that they needed Him whether they knew it or not. This is why He came to the earth. He came to give His life. He came to save these people. Application: What do you see when you walk around your city? The crowds of people, thousands and millions walk past you on all sides. They laugh and joke. They weep and cry. Their eyes are glued to their screens, phones, TVs, computers. They spend their lives fixated on fake things like scripted dramas or temporal things like money. Do we ignore them? Are we apathetic to their plight? Do we feel sorry for them, but remain silent
- From http://www.metrolyrics.com/people-need-the-lord-lyrics-steve-green.html
People need the Lord
People need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams
He’s the open door
People need the Lord
People need the Lord
When will we realize
People need the Lord?
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who’s lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share
People need the Lord
People need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams
He’s the open door
People need the Lord
People need the Lord
When will we realize
That we must give our lives
For people need the Lord
People need the Lord
- Jesus worked in the harvest, trained up workers, and taught them to pray for more workers – We have seen that Jesus worked in the harvest. But He didn’t stop there. He raised up workers (the disciples.) And then He tells those workers to pray for more workers. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Even today almost 2000 years later this is still so true. The harvest is even larger. And the workers are still not enough. Application: What is your part? What is your vision? How can you be a worker in this harvest? What more can you do? Are you praying for more workers? Are you praying enough?
- Watch the video Tears of the Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtQbzRmmMfk
- Close with prayer for more workers – Split the group into pairs or threes and give time for small group prayer for the lost in this vast harvest field.
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