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Explanation for:
Matthew
9
:
1
And entering into a boat, he passed over the water and came into his own city.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The gospel writer refers to Capernaum as the city belonging to Jesus. It was in Bethlehem where Christ entered the world, Nazareth where He grew up, and Capernaum where He established His home."},{"author-name":"Chromatius of Aquileia","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a3df6d7a747a33b4f4a_Chromatius%20of%20Aquileia.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"At the same time, the Herazinians implored the Lord to leave their region. Therefore, let us be vigilant, so that we do not allow any individual among us, with a heart of disbelief, to drive the Lord away from the sanctuary of their soul. For it is written that the Holy Spirit withdraws from those who are unteachable and does not reside in a body burdened by sin."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"By referring to ‘His city,’ Matthew is indicating Capernaum, as it was where the Lord made His home. Though He was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, Capernaum served as His main place of dwelling."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He refers to Capernaum as His city. Although He was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, He later resided in Capernaum."},{"author-name":"Gregorios Palamas","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bfc03f555204c307b7e_Gregorios%20Palamas.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":14,"exegesis-text":"We can draw numerous parallels between the words of the Gospel and the sweetness of honeycomb. The voice of the divine Bridegroom, who captivates the soul, is described as more enchanting than any other among humanity, embodying ‘sweetness and all desire’ (Song of Songs 5:16). To the soul that has communed with Him through wisdom and an untainted spirit, the same author of the Song of Songs expresses: ‘Thy lips, O my bride, drop as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under thy tongue’ (Song of Songs 4:11). This truth resonates with the Evangelists, whose accounts encapsulate teachings that can be likened to a honeycomb filled with honey and milk, providing clear moral instruction—nourishing not only those who are spiritually mature but also those who may be less developed, much like spiritual milk. It is noted that they ‘spoil’ rather than merely ‘abundantly pour out’ from the mouth of the spiritual bride, highlighting the boundless depth of the wisdom and power of the Heavenly Bridegroom alongside His manifold manifestations. Indeed, as the profound Evangelist states, ‘the things which Jesus did, even if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written’ (John 21:25). This single drop, for us, holds in it the vastness of an ocean.\\n\\nHaving recounted the miracle of the paralytic as Mark conveyed it to the Church, we seek to illuminate this subject further. Even today, by examining this same event through Matthew’s narrative, we will discover a wealth of spiritual nourishment; the riches embedded in this account will be plentiful for all, akin to the loaves with which the Lord fed the multitudes in the wilderness, multiplying them as He distributed them. Initially, I offered you the honey of this narrative with both a straightforward and more morally adherent interpretation of this miracle. Now, having drawn forth the honey, I will, as time allows, kindly serve it to all gathered here for a spiritual feast. We have established that the paralytic mentioned is not the same man described by the Apostle John as healed in Jerusalem, and we have discussed why this city, Capernaum, is uniquely referred to as ‘His’ city. By providing a taste of the honeycomb’s interior, we have taken this Gospel narrative as a guiding example towards a virtuous life, revealing that Jesus’ ‘His’ city, to which He came, signifies this world, as stated in the Evangelist’s text: ‘He came to His own’ (John 1:11).\\n\\nWe have also conveyed that every human soul resembles a paralytic; when it turns inward and seizes its mind, it is subsequently brought to the Lord through four means: self-contempt, confession of sins, a promise to refrain from wrongdoing, and prayer to God. However, as we listen to Matthew recount that Christ boarded a boat, crossed over, and reached His own town, we uncover an alternate yet harmonious meaning with Mark’s account. Specifically, the universal Saviour, having embraced our humanity, traversed the sea of this life and arrived at His city—His exalted throne and dwelling place, above all beginnings and powers and beyond any name or authority, known in both this age and the age to come. This indeed is ‘His place,’ the only suitable abode for Him. In expressing this, the Psalmist declares: ‘The heaven of heavens is the Lord's’ (Psalms 113:24), emphasizing that the heavens are the true dwelling of God. However, upon returning to His rightful place, the Lord retained our humanity. Therefore, this Evangelist notes that Jesus entered the boat and crossed over without stating that He ‘came out of the boat’; instead, he mentions that ‘entering the boat,’ He crossed over and came to His city while still in our bodies, abiding in the celestial realms."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"After leaving that place, the God-Man arrived in Capernaum, as the Evangelist Mark verifies, stating, \\"and came again to Capernaum\\" (Mark 2:1). The holy Matthew referred to it as Christ's own city, for although He was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, He made His home in Capernaum (Matthew 4:13)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"“Do you ever find yourself wishing,” asks St. Philaret of Moscow, “that in our current age the merciful healings and other extraordinary blessings from God are not as abundant or evident as those recounted in the Scriptures?” This longing must lead us to introspection: “your iniquities have caused a separation between you and your God,” as the prophet states (Isaiah 59:2). This reality is vividly illustrated in the Gospel narrative about the healing of the paralytic in Capernaum. “Then He got into the boat,” St. Matthew recounts, “and returned from the country of the Gergesenes, where He had healed the man possessed by demons, and crossed to His own city, namely Capernaum, where He chose to stay.\\" In keeping with His humble nature, Christ the Savior entered the city discreetly; however, news of His arrival spread rapidly. A multitude gathered at the house where He was staying—possibly at the home of the Apostle Peter—so that there was no space even at the entrance while He shared a message of gospel truth. Among the listeners were Pharisees and law teachers from various regions, not just nearby Galilee, but also from Judea and even Jerusalem. Their intent was not for their spiritual edification but rather to scrutinize the teachings of this new Teacher who had no formal training, believing such an absence disqualified Him from instructing others. Their hearts were already embittered against Christ, seeking to find fault in Him according to the law of God. Yet, the Lord did not deter them from entering His residence, instead enabling them, as knowledgeable of the Scriptures, to gain a proper understanding of His identity. He affirmed His teachings through miraculous acts, demonstrating the power of the Lord as seen in the healing of the sick (Luke 5:17)."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"To the city of His ancestry, Capernaum, He came, fulfilling the age-old prophecy as stated in scripture. He was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, yet He made His home in Capernaum."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"After Jesus boarded the boat with His disciples, He returned to the other side, arriving at the location known as Capernaum. Matthew, concluding his account of the healing of the possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes, states that Jesus entered the boat and made His way back to His city, Capernaum. This is further supported by the earlier mention in Matthew’s Gospel, where it is noted that after leaving Nazareth, Jesus settled in Capernaum by the seaside (Matthew 4:13)."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Capernaum was located right on the banks of Lake Gennesaret and served as both the industrial and intellectual hub of the surrounding area. As a result, the ministry of the Savior, which was primarily based in this city—now referred to as ‘His own city’ instead of Nazareth—could readily expand its reach beyond nearby towns and villages to more remote locations like Damascus, Tyre, and Sidon. These cities were linked to Capernaum by well-traveled roads that were perpetually bustling. Even while journeying from Nazareth to Capernaum, Christ had the opportunity to preach, attracting increasing numbers of followers to Him."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Following the proclamation of the Gospel throughout the towns and villages in Galilee, Jesus Christ made His way back to Capernaum. With great humility, He entered the city (Matthew 9:1), but soon the word of His presence spread rapidly: it became known that He was at a certain house. Almost instantly, the house became crowded with a multitude, leaving no room even at the entrance. Among the attendees were Pharisees and experts in the Scriptures, who had traveled from various regions including Galilee, Judea, and even Jerusalem, likely to observe the Lord. He addressed them, delivering a message that was affirmed through a remarkable demonstration of His divine authority."}]}
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