Third narrative

This third narrative centered around a variety of miracles and various comments to his disciples.  Jesus cured the leper before great crowds, but then told him to keep it a secret.  Then he cured the centurion’s paralyzed servant at Capernaum.  This Roman soldier understood the role of authority since he had faith.  Jesus chastised the failure of the sons of Abraham but healed the Roman centurion’s servant.

Jesus also cured other sick and possessed people, including Peter’s mother-in-law.  He thus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah.  He had some scribe followers, even though Jesus was homeless.  Was the death of a father enough to disrupt a disciple?  During a stormy boat ride, they woke up Jesus.  Thus, he responded by showing them his power by calming the storm.

Jesus cured the two possessed demoniacs who were calling out to him as the Son of God.  These demons wanted to be pigs, so that they died in the sea, jumping off a cliff.  However, the herdsmen in the city were upset so that the people asked Jesus to leave.

Jesus then went home and cured a paralytic.  Did Jesus blaspheme?  What was the difference between sin and sickness?  The people were amazed at his powers.  Jesus then called Matthew, the tax collector.  Jesus hung out with these tax collectors and sinners, so that the Pharisees complained.  Jesus responded by asking if well people needed doctors?  Then there was a citation from Hosea about mercy.

The Pharisees wanted to know why his disciples were not fasting, but the disciples of John the Baptist were.  Jesus explained that there would be no fasting while he, the bridegroom, was present.  You did not use old cloth to mend clothes or put new wine in old wineskins.

Then Jesus cured the woman with hemorrhages, because she was a woman of faith.  Then he cured the dead girl who was only sleeping.  He cured the two blind men because they were believers also.  He cured the mute person so that he could speak again.  The Pharisees questioned the power of Jesus.  However, Jesus had compassion for the sheep because there would be a need for many laborers at the harvest time.

Then Jesus began his apostolic talk to his disciples, in particular about the authority of the twelve disciples, with four major apostles.  Matthew then listed the twelve apostles that would be sent to the Jews and what their work was.  Jesus told them what to bring with them and where to stay.  He told them how to enter a house.  Those unhospitable towns who did not accept them would be punished.  These apostles should be like wise simple sheep.  When they would be persecuted, the Holy Spirit would speak through them.  They would be involved in family disputes and hated.  Both the teacher and his disciples would suffer, but they should not be afraid.  They should proclaim the message.  They were to worry about their souls, since they had more value than sparrows.  They should acknowledge Jesus whether in peace or with the sword.  Who was worthy of Jesus?  You had to pick up your cross and lose your life to find it.  Receive Jesus and be a prophet as the righteous disciple of Jesus.

The evening meal (Mt 26:20-26:20)

“When it was evening,

He took his place

Reclining at the table

With the twelve disciples.”

 

Ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης ἀνέκειτο μετὰ τῶν δώδεκα μαθητῶν

 

This is similar to Mark, chapter 14:17, and Luke, chapter 22:14.  When it was evening (Ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης), Jesus took his place reclining at the table (ἀνέκειτο) with the 12 disciples (μετὰ τῶν δώδεκα μαθητῶν).  Jesus and his disciples reclined at the table, not really sitting upright.

 

On the way to Jerusalem (Mt 20:17-20:17)

“While Jesus

Was going up

Near to Jerusalem,

He took

The twelve disciples aside.

He spoke to them

On the way.”

 

Μέλλων δὲ ἀναβαίνειν Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα παρέλαβεν τοὺς δώδεκα κατ’ ἰδίαν, καὶ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς

 

Mark, chapter 10:32, and Luke, chapter 18:31, have something similar to this.  While Jesus was near Jerusalem (Μέλλων δὲ ἀναβαίνειν Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα), he took his 12 leaders aside by themselves (παρέλαβεν τοὺς δώδεκα κατ’ ἰδίαν).  They were merely called the 12 “τοὺς δώδεκα,” not distinguishing between apostles and disciples, but clearly indicating the elite 12 apostle leaders.  He spoke to them as they went on their way to Jerusalem (καὶ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς).  In other words, this was not a general proclamation, but a semi-secret saying just for the leaders, the 12, much like a gnostic group with some at the top people knowing more than the others.

Preaching to the various towns (Mt 11:1-11:1)

“When Jesus

Had finished instructing

His twelve disciples,

He went on from there

To teach,

And to proclaim

His message

In their towns.”

 

Καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς διατάσσων τοῖς δώδεκα μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ, μετέβη ἐκεῖθεν τοῦ διδάσκειν καὶ κηρύσσειν ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν αὐτῶν.

 

Matthew continued his unique narrative by saying that Jesus had finished instructing and giving orders (Καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς) to his twelve disciples or apostles (τοῖς δώδεκα μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ), so that he left there (μετέβη ἐκεῖθεν τοῦ).  He went about teaching and preaching (διδάσκειν καὶ κηρύσσειν) in their various towns (ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν αὐτῶν).  Matthew used the term 12 disciples (τοῖς δώδεκα μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ) not apostles for the close followers of Jesus.  He felt that they had been fully instructed or gotten their marching orders, so that now he was going to go around to teach, proclaim, and preach his message to a larger audience, to their various towns and cities in Galilee.