Welcome to AtoZMom’s BSF Blog! Learn about BSF (Bible Study Fellowship)’s BSF study of Matthew in 2021-2022. You’ll follow Jesus’s ministry all the way from his birth to his death on the cross that brought salvation to all of humanity. You’ll witness his resurrection, and with his resurrection, his redeeming purpose for all of mankind and his ushering in of eternal life.
Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for his death, telling them he must go to Jerusalem, suffer, die, and rise again. Peter rebuked Jesus for saying this. Jesus, in turn, rebuked Peter, calling him Satan and a stumbling block, as well as saying he does not have the things of God in mind but only the things of men.
Jesus tells his disciples that whoever comes after him must deny himself and take up his cross and follow him. This way, they will save their life by losing it. His soul will be saved. Jesus will return in his Father’s glory with angels and reward those according to what they have done. Some will not die before the Second Coming
12)
13a) Peter rebuked Jesus for saying this, and he tells him it won’t happen.
b) Jesus’s word is to taken as truth always and not questioned or denied.
c) This is how our faith is. One minute, we’re solid; the next, liquid and drying up quick. Life’s circumstances mainly cause this.
14a) Whoever comes after him must deny himself and take up his cross and follow him. This way, they will save their life by losing it. His soul will be saved.
b) We are expected to not give up anything to gain eternal salvation.
c) Good question. Maybe where I want to live. My job. Those types of things.
Great words of wisdom from Jesus. I can understand Peter’s feelings, but he still has a lot to learn when he rebukes Jesus.
Now that the disciples know who Jesus is, it’s time to reveal his entire mission, which is the salvation of the world as predicted by Isaiah (Isaiah 53:3-12).
Fun Fact: This is the first time Christ mentions he will die on the cross to his disciples.
The Sanhedrin consists of the elsters, chief priests, and the scribes.
One moment Peter is divinely inspired by God; the next, he is a messenger of Satan. Jesus would not allow himself to be swayed from his mission. Peter had his eyes on the things of men at this moment rather than the things of heaven.
Peter’s words were rejecting God’s eternal plan for humanity.
Jesus tells his disciples they must die to themselves to follow him. This was a cheery thought.
When we deny ourselves, we surrender to Christ and obey his will, not ours. We live with others in mind. We accept rejection by others and a harder life.
In essence, you will never live until you walk to your death with Jesus. It’s paradoxical and an antithesis to what we would think, but it’s the only way to eternal life.
When you surrender to Jesus, you discover true contentment in your life.
Why gain the world to lose it? Satan couldn’t sway Jesus to do this (Luke 4:5-8)
Jesus may have been speaking of his resurrection, Pentecost, the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, or his Second Coming when saying some would not see death.
Jesus blesses Simon, saying God revealed to him who he was. He names him Peter, which means rock, and he will build his church that Hades (hell) cannot overcome. Jesus will give Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven and whatever he binds on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever he loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven. He told his disciples not to tell anyone he was the Christ.
9) Jesus blesses Simon, saying God revealed to him who he was.
10a) Jesus will be the rock (the foundation) of the church.
b) He will build his church that Hades (hell) cannot overcome. Whatever he binds on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever he loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven, meaning whoever believes he is the Son of God will be free from sin; those who don’t will be bound forever.
11a) The Gospel frees those from Old Testament laws.
b) In every way (such a broad question with so many answers). Freedom allows me to follow Christ’s path for me.
My answers are short here. See more explanation in the End Notes.
God divinely inspired Peter when he spoke, saying who Jesus was.
Jesus renamed Peter the rock, and he would become a rock for the disciples after Jesus’s death.
“This rock” is Jesus. The church will be built upon Jesus, although some Bible scholars say the rock here is Peter or even the confession itself.
Fun Fact: This is the first use of the word ‘church’ in the Bible. Fitting it is spoken by Jesus.
Jesus was prophesizing the founding of the church.
The Greek word for church, ekklesia, meant group. Thus, the church is a group.
Note Jesus says “my church.” We belong to him.
Hell will not penetrate the church, meaning God’s people will overcome sin, death, and Satan.
Jesus will give Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. This is why Peter is usually depicted in art with keys. This symbolizes Jesus giving Peter the authority to unlock the Gospel to the world.
This passage is a basis for many images of Peter. There is no doubt that Peter was special. Some think he stands at the gates of heaven, letting people in or blocking their entrance.
Binding and loosing is an idea during that time that pertained to the law. To be bound was to be prohibited and be put under the law. To loose was to permit and be free from the law. Here, Jesus gives Peter and the disciples the power to define the New Covenant church and set the rules.
Sinners would be set free from sin and death (loosed). Those who refuse to believe are bound in sin.
Jesus set the rules for the disciples, which explains them taking the grains in the fields (Matthew 12:1-8).
Peter and the disciples would set the New Covenant, including dietary rules. Still, Jesus was not ready for all to know he was the Christ (probably because the disciples were not ready and he needed more training time).
When Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi, he asked, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Some say John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah. When he asked the disciples who they say he is, Simon Peter says he is Christ, the Son of the living God.
6) “Who do the people say the Son of Man is?” “Who do you say I am?” Jesus wants to know if his disciples believe he is Christ.
7a) Some say John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah or another prophet.
b) Some say he is just another prophet for the most part. Some believe he is Christ, the Son of God. Others believe he never existed at all. Some say he was just an ordinary man.
8a) “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This answer revealed his faith in Jesus.
b) It’s the crux of Christianity, the way to eternal life, and the way to God and heaven. It’s what forgives us our sins.
c) The same way Peter did!
I love how Jesus really wanted to know who his disciples thought he was, but framed it with what others thought first. I also love how Peter is the first to answer.
Learn more about Peter with this great read!
Caesarea Philippi is a region in Judea that is north of Galilee and that has more Gentiles than Jews. Jesus is most likely looking for a respite from the crowds. It gives Jesus a chance to teach his disciples.
“Who do you say I am?” is the most important question on earth.
Peter most likely speaks for all of the disciples. Now, they truly understand who Jesus is, that he is God, and what his mission is.
Jesus knew they were beginning to understand the Truth, but for them to go spiritually deeper, they had to confess who he was.
Peter’s confession affirms the disciples have reached a new level of faith.
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The Pharisees and Sadducees demanded a sign from Jesus. Jesus replied that they say it will be stormy if the sky is red and overcast. He says they can interpret the skies but not the signs of the times. Only a wicked adulterous generaion looks for miraculous signs, and all they will be given is the sign of Jonah.
The disciples forgot to bring bread, so Jesus told them to be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Jesus realizes they are confused and says they have little faith because they don’t remember the five loaves for the five thousand or the seven loaves for the four thousand. He wonders why they did not understand he was using yeast as a metaphor, and that he meant to beware the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
3a) A sign from heaven in order to test Jesus’s identity.
b) Jesus replied that they say it will be stormy if the sky is red and overcast. He says they can interpret the skies but not the signs of the times. Only a wicked adulterous generaion looks for miraculous signs, and all they will be given is the sign of Jonah. It revealed that they had wicked hearts.
c) Jesus is saying he is sufficient
4a) To beware the teaching (yeast) of the Pharisees and Sadducees
b) The disciples were focused on the literal bread because they had just commented that they had forgotten bread to eat. They had no idea what Jesus was talking about because of this.
c) Jesus realizes they are confused and says they have little faith because they don’t remember the five loaves for the five thousand or the seven loaves for the four thousand. He wonders why they did not understand he was using yeast as a metaphor, and that he meant to beware the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. He explains what he meant to them.
5) We, like the disciples, are too focused on the literal meaning that we can miss the spiritual meaning behind things, too. I think this comes with time, prayer, and learning to look for the spiritual in things.
I love how the Pharisees and Sadducees are constantly put in their place by Jesus in a nice way. Great example for us. Great learning from the disciples mistake, too.
Just a book I wanted to share!
It is worth noting that the Pharisees and Sadducees were normally not friends. They were politically opposed and held different beliefs. Yet, both wanted Jesus dead.
In Matthew 12:38, Jesus had already been asked for a sign, which he refused to give then. As if healing people was not enough. They could read the heavens, but not the Messianic signs. This is a warning to us to not miss the signs of the Second Coming as outlined in Revelation mainly.
Note that signs do not convert people; they will always have hard hearts.
Jesus’s resurrection would be a hard sign to deny. He would disappear like Jonah for three days and nights and then return.
Yeast, or leaven, was compared to sin and corruption as we’ve seen repeatedly in the Bible (Matthew 13:33) Exodus 12:8, 12:15-20).
Note that the disciples were ignornant of what yeast symbolized, they didn’t believe they’d be find if they had forgotten bread since Jesus fed the 5,000, and they forgot all that had happened with regards to this.
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Hey all!
I don’t know about you, but I usually buy my own Christmas gifts. Here are some of my favorite gifts for you!
Enjoy!
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Jesus left Tyre and Sidon and returned to the Sea of Galilee. He went up a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came and he healed many. The people were amazed and they praised the God of Israel.
Jesus called his disciples to him. He tells them he has compassion on the people who have not eaten for three days and he doesn’t want to send them away hungry or they may collapse. His disciples wonder how they will get the food. Jesus asked for the loaves of bread they had and the fish. He gave thanks for the bread and fish and broke them. He gave them to his disciples who distributed it to the people.
Everyone ate and was satisfied. They had seven basketfulls of broken pieces left over. Four thousand ate plus women and children. Then he traveled to Magadan.
12a) Similar: Jesus was moved by compassion to feed the crowd. Both times, the disciples didn’t know what to do. Both times, everyone sat and Jesus gave thanks for the bread and fish. He distributed the food through the disciples’ hands. They all ate and were satisfied.
b) Different: In one account, Jesus feeds 5,000; here, he feeds 4,000. The miracles happened in different locations in Galilee. Here, Jesus takes the initiative to feed the people. In the feeding of the 5,000, the disciples wish to send the people away to buy their own food. In the feeding of the 5,000, they had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Here, they have 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish. In the feeding of the 5,000, there were 12 basketfuls of broken pieces left over. Here, they had 7 basketfulls left over.
13a) To see that Jesus’s power is consistent and now a fluke. He is the Son of God.
b) He is showing others who he is, as well as setting the stage for the future when Gentiles will be welcomed into God’s kingdom.
14) Contentment in life
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 16, Day 5: Matthew 15:29-39I love seeing how Jesus cares for his people’s physical needs and provides food and sustenance when they need it. I had forgotten about this miracle since the Feeding of the 5,000 overshadows it.
This is the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee in a region known as the Decapolis. It was mostly Gentiles or unbelievers. The fact they gathered and believed in the power of Jesus to heal shows his impact on the region.
Whether they had faith before, we are not told. We are told that after they were healed, they glorified the God of Israel, presumably turning to God.
Jesus came to relieve human suffering and show God on earth by opening spiritual eyes.
Again, God provides out of His abundance by having leftovers. Many see the feeding of the 5,000 and the the 4,000 as a precursor to the Messianic banquet and showed that Gentiles would be accepted there.
Jesus now traveled to Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman came to ask Jesus to help her daughter who was possessed by a demon. At first, Jesus did not answer. Apparently, the woman kept begging, prompting the disciples to ask Jesus to send her away. Jesus said he was sent to help only Israelites. The woman kept begging and showed great faith, so Jesus healed her daughter.
9a) Because they would be preaching to the Gentiles after he died.
b) “Lord, Son of David.” This shows she understands who Jesus really is — the son of God.
10a) A Canaanite woman came to ask Jesus to help her daughter who was possessed by a demon. At first, Jesus did not answer. Apparently, the woman kept begging, prompting the disciples to ask Jesus to send her away. Jesus said he was sent to help only Israelites. The woman kept begging and showed great faith, so Jesus healed her daughter.
b) He was testing her faith and that of the disciples
11a) She never gives up hope in Jesus to heal her daughter. She realizes who Jesus is and humbles herself. She never loses faith or hope in Jesus.
b) The same. To never give up. To keep praying. And to not lose faith or hope in Jesus.
I love when Jesus helps those who are persistent. I’m very persistent myself.
Great read for all!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 16, Day 4: Matthew 15:21-28Tyre and Sidon were located on the Mediterranean Sea about 20 miles apart from each other. They were about 50 miles travel distance from where Jesus was in Galilee. These were Gentile cities, so why would Jesus go there? To help this woman.
She came as an intercessor for her daughter. This gives us hope when we pray for others, too.
Jesus healed other Gentiles (Matthew 4:24-25; 8:5-13) but always before in Jewish territory. Here, he is in Gentile territory.
The woman irritated the disciples, so they asked Jesus to heal her so she’d leave.
Jesus clearly states he is here for the Jews.
The woman did not back down. She continued asking for healing for her daughter.
Jesus called the woman a “little dog,” which was a traditional slur towards Gentiles. Household dogs were entitled to a portion.
The woman did not argue; she knew she was low. Instead, she continued to ask for Jesus’s help and blessing.
All she asks for is the crumbs — which his all any of us are worthy of.
Fun Fact: This is the only time Jesus tells someone their faith is great.
This is the only story recorded of Jesus’s ministry in Tyre and Sidon. It appears Jesus traveled all this way just to meet her. How awesome is that!
This woman had a need, and she never gave up. She knew who Jesus was and she kept pursuing him.
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Jesus teaches the crowds that food does not make him unclean, but words that come out do. The disciples ask Jesus if he knew that he offended the Pharisees. Jesus says the Pharisees are blind, and the blind leading the blind will fall into a pit. Peter asks Jesus to explain the parable, and Jesus asks them why they are so dull. He says that the things that come out of the mouth are from the heart, which determines if he is unclean. The heart harbors evil thoughts, and unwashed hands don’t make him unclean.
6) Words are what make a man unclean, not washing his hands, because it shows his heart.
7a) About offending the Pharisees
b) Jesus says the Pharisees are blind, and the blind leading the blind will fall into a pit. He is unconcerned about them.
8a) He says that the things that come out of the mouth are from the heart, which determines if he is unclean. The heart harbors evil thoughts, and unwashed hands don’t make him unclean.
b) Showing up to church, participating in charity activities, doing Godly things for others, praying in public, etc.
c) Your words matter, and it shows your heart. God only cares about your heart, not what you look like or do on the outside.
Great lesson about how God wants your heart, not your rituals.
Jesus did have the advantage knowing that all food would be considered clean for eating in the New Covenant. The Jewish people have lived for centuries under the Old Testament that had strict laws about food being clean.
The disciples are concerned that Jesus offended the Pharisees; Jesus is not, and some Bible scholars say he intended to offend them. Jesus explains that since the commandments of the Pharisess are not God’s laws, they won’t stand the test of time and will be uprooted. God’s Word is to be our root.
Make sure your leaders are not blind. It is all possible that the Pharisees themselves did not understand the Scriptures.
Jesus explains what matters is if we are unclean on the inside, not the outside. Evil comes from our nature. Words can and do hurt others; what you eat and drink only hurts yourself.