Big Idea: Matthew encourages his readers to trust and follow Jesus, whose healing power and mercy toward sinners signal the arrival of God’s kingdom.

Understanding the Text

The final section of chapters 8–9 continues to accent themes of Jesus’ authority to heal—with three healing accounts in this section—and faith as the appropriate response (9:22, 29). The call narrative of the tax collector Matthew includes a paradigmatic meal scene in which Jesus eats with “tax collectors and sinners” (9:9–13; see also 11:19; 21:31; 22:8–10). Jesus cites Hosea 6:6 in response to complaints from Pharisees that he eats with such people (9:13; also 12:7). For Matthew, Jesus rightly interprets God’s law through the lens of mercy, justice, and faithfulness (23:23; also 5:7). So Jesus’ pattern of eating wit…