Verses 1–12
It was this man's misery that he needed to be so carried, and shows the suffering state of human
life; it was kind of those who so carried him, and teaches the compassion that should be in men,
toward their fellow-creatures in distress. True faith and strong faith may work in various ways; but
it shall be accepted and approved by Jesus Christ. Sin is the cause of all our pains and sicknesses.
The way to remove the effect, is to take away the cause. Pardon of sin strikes at the root of all
diseases. Christ proved his power to forgive sin, by showing his power to cure the man sick of the
palsy. And his curing diseases was a figure of his pardoning sin, for sin is the disease of the soul;
when it is pardoned, it is healed. When we see what Christ does in healing souls, we must own that
we never saw the like. Most men think themselves whole; they feel no need of a physician, therefore
despise or neglect Christ and his gospel. But the convinced, humbled sinner, who despairs of all
help, excepting from the Saviour, will show his faith by applying to him without delay.
Verses 13–17
Matthew was not a good character, or else, being a Jew, he would never have been a publican,
that is, a tax-gatherer for the Romans. However, Christ called this publican to follow him. With
God, through Christ, there is mercy to pardon the greatest sins, and grace to change the greatest
sinners, and make them holy. A faithful, fair-dealing publican was rare. And because the Jews had
a particular hatred to an office which proved that they were subject to the Romans, they gave these
tax-gatherers an ill name. But such as these our blessed Lord did not hesitate to converse with,
when he appeared in the likeness of sinful flesh. And it is no new thing for that which is both well
done and well designed, to be slandered, and turned to the reproach of the wisest and best of men.
Christ would not withdraw, though the Pharisees were offended. If the world had been righteous,
there had been no occasion for his coming, either to preach repentance, or to purchase forgiveness.
We must not keep company with ungodly men out of love to their vain conversation; but we are
to show love to their souls, remembering that our good Physician had the power of healing in
himself, and was in no danger of taking the disease; but it is not so with us. In trying to do good to
others, let us be careful we do not get harm to ourselves.
Verses 18–22
Strict professors are apt to blame all that do not fully come up to their own views. Christ did
not escape slanders; we should be willing to bear them, as well as careful not to deserve them; but
should attend to every part of our duty in its proper order and season.
Verses 23–28
The sabbath is a sacred and Divine institution; a privilege and benefit, not a task and drudgery.
God never designed it to be a burden to us, therefore we must not make it so to ourselves. The
sabbath was instituted for the good of mankind, as living in society, having many wants and troubles,
preparing for a state of happiness or misery. Man was not made for the sabbath, as if his keeping