Matthew 9

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

1After getting into 1the boat, Jesus went back across the sea and came to his own city. 2And behold, some men brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; yoʋr sins are forgiven 2yoʋ.” 3And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 43Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts? 5Which is easier, to say, ‘Yoʋr sins are 4forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then he said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up yoʋr bed, and go to yoʋr house.” 7So the man rose and went to his house. 8When the crowds saw it, they were 5amazed and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Jesus Calls Matthew

9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. Jesus said to him, “Follow me,” so Matthew rose and followed him.

10Later, as Jesus reclined at the table in Matthew's house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and reclined with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why is your teacher 6eating with tax collectors and sinners?” 12When Jesus heard this, he said 7to them, “It is not the healthy who need a physician, but the sick. 13Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners 8to repentance.”

A Question About Fasting

14Then the disciples of John came to Jesus and said, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast 9often, but yoʋr disciples do not fast?” 15Jesus said to them, “Can the bridegroom's attendants mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days are coming when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch would pull away from the garment, and a worse tear would be made. 17Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins. For the wineskins would burst, spilling the wine and ruining the wineskins. But new wine is put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

18As he said these things to them, behold, a ruler came and bowed down before him, saying, “My daughter has just now died, but come and lay yoʋr hand on her, and she will live.” 19So Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20And behold, a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment. 21For she said to herself, “If only I touch his garment, I will be healed.” 22But when Jesus turned 10around and saw her, he said, “Take courage, daughter; yoʋr faith has healed yoʋ.” And the woman was healed from that hour. 23When Jesus came to the house of the ruler and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24he said 11to them, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they began laughing at him. 25But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took hold of the girl's hand, and she arose. 26And news of this spread throughout that entire region.

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

27As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed 12him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28When he went into the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29Then he touched their eyes, saying, “Let it be done for yoʋ according to your faith.” 30And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly warned them, “Make sure no one finds out about this.” 31But they went out and spread the news about him throughout that entire region.

Jesus Heals a Mute Man

32As they were going away, behold, a mute man possessed by a demon was brought to Jesus. 33When the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke, and the crowds were amazed, saying, “Such a thing has never been seen in Israel.” 34But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of demons he casts out demons.”

The Compassion of Jesus

35Then Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness 13among the people. 36When he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were 14harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”