Matthew 14-16 Class Comments

1. 14:1-13  Why was the king grieved when Herodias asked for John’s head? How did Jesus respond to the news of John’s death? Class Answers:  If we answered according to the Matthew account, the general consensus was that it was because he feared the multitudes, because they considered John a prophet. But Herod felt he had to go through with it to save face in front of his dinner guests. Mark’s account (6:20) says that Herod feared John, knowing he was a just and holy man, and he protected him (from Herodias, who wanted him dead). When Jesus heard of John’s death, he retreated to a desert place by Himself.
   
2. 14:14-21 Why did the crowds follow Jesus? Do you think they expected Him to feed them? Class Answers: So he would heal their sick. There’s no indication they expected to be fed. John 6:2 states that they followed Him because they had seen Him heal others.
   
3. 14:22-36 What happened as soon as Jesus got into the boat after walking to the boat on the water? What did the disciples do? Class Answers: The wind ceased. John 6:21 states also that “immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.” The disciples worshiped Him, saying “Truly you are the Son of God.” When I asked why we don’t read of them worshiping Jesus when he healed all those sick people, or when he fed the five thousand, the answer was maybe because those miracles hadn’t affected them.
   
4. 15:1-9 How did Jesus answer the Pharisees’ criticism of His disciples? (v. 3) [Consider: In what ways (and areas) are we in danger of keeping traditions while forsaking God's will?] Class Answers: He answered them with a question, telling them they needed to look to their own foibles (the “logs” in their eyes). They broke God’s commandments because of their traditions. By tradition, they could vow their goods to God, and “legally” therefore be free from any obligation of caring for their parents. The personal application of traditions centered mostly around the way we worship – that we become so involved in the structure of our worship, we begin to see that as law, and are very uncomfortable if there’s a slight change.
   
5. 15:10-20 How does this passage relate to the previous one? Class Answers: In the previous passage, Jesus’ disciples are criticized for not washing their hands, according to the elders’ traditions. Here he explains that spiritual defilement from what men say is much worse than any physical defilement that might occur from unwashed hands. Side note: In verse 12, the disciples are worried that the Pharisees were offended. Jesus warns them about following men who are spiritually blind.
   
6. 15:21-31 How did Jesus’ disciples react at first to the Canaanite woman? What was her response to Jesus’ answer in verse 24? Besides faith, what other attribute(s) did this woman display? Class Answers: They wanted to send her away. Besides faith, we thought she also displayed humility, perseverance (persistence), courage (strength), and wisdom.
   
7. 15:32-39 Besides the difference in number, how does this account differ from the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14? For instance, who instigated it? What motivated the meal? Class Answers: In the previous account, the disciples had suggested it. Here, Jesus makes the suggestion.  We thought it odd that the disciples, after seeing Jesus feed the five thousand, would wonder how four thousand could be fed.
   
8. 16:1-12 How does Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees and Sadducees compare to the answer He gave them before (12:38-42)? After this incident, of what does He warn His disciples? Class Answers: In both, he mentions the sign of Jonah. In chapter 12, he compares Himself to Jonah and Solomon. In chapter 14, he criticizes them for not recognizing the signs. He warns his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees, defined by one commentary as “a change agent – subtle and gradual, yet thorough.”
   
9. 16:13-20 What does Jesus mean by "this rock"? What does He mean by the "keys of the kingdom"? (Acts 2 may hold a clue.) [Consider: Why would He tell the disciples not to publicize who He was?] Class Answers: The rock is the foundation upon which Christ’s church is established: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. When He gives the keys of the kingdom to Peter, He’s telling Peter that he will be the first to preach the gospel – first to the Jews and proselytes in Acts 2 and then to the Gentiles, when he preaches to Cornelius in Acts 10.
   
10. 16:21-26 How does the warning in verses 24-26 relate to the incident in verses 21- 23? Class Answers: Just as Jesus would die, so must His followers be willing to give up their own lives. Being a good person doesn’t mean you won’t have to suffer.
    
11. 16:27-28  When will the Son of Man come in his kingdom? Class Answers: During the lifetime of some of those that were standing there. There was general discussion of the meaning of the word “kingdom,” which we agreed would merit a follow-up study.