Jesus was Jew, living in a Jewish society, speaking to Jews. So likely we can learn a bit from the ways the ancient rabbis understood (and taught) those words....
YLTMatt 9
20 and lo, a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, having come to him behind, did touch the fringe of his garments,
21 for she said within herself, `If only I may touch his garment, I shall be saved.'
Garment isn't the best possible translation. She was touching a tassel of twisted wool. Those tassels are part of a prayer shawl. Tassels are called tzitzit in Hebrew.
The shawl was also called 'wings'. (I guess it was white :laughing7:)
Each tzitzit consist of 5 double knots in 8 threads.
5+8=13
The numerical value of tzitzit is 600
600+13=613 = number of Torah commandments.
YLTMatt 16
19 and I will give to thee the keys of the reign of the heavens, and whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.'
Rabbi's were often asked questions about Scriptural interpretation. For example it was forbidden to work on Sabbath. But what exactly is work isn't clearly defined in the Bible. They bound=prohibited or loosed=allowed certain work. So basically it means even if God for example doesn't like that people play music on Sabbath but the Rabbi's loosed playing music, He (God) won't count playing music as a sin/breaking His commands.
YLTMatthew 11
7 And as they are going, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, `What went ye out to the wilderness to view? --a reed shaken by the wind?
8 `But what went ye out to see? --a man clothed in soft garments? lo, those wearing the soft things are in the kings' houses.
9 `But what went ye out to see? --a prophet? yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet,
The reed is a reference to an ancient teaching from long before Jesus was born. It was a parable a reed and a mighty oak both planted by the river.
When a storm or heavy storm came the reed just bent in the wind. The mighty oak with deep root didn't bent at all. It stands firm in the storm.
But when a very heavy storm came the reed survived by bending (even more) but the mighty oak was blown over/died.
The reed follows the way of least resistance while the proud oak never compromised and died because of it.
Of course the oak was a person being loyal to God/his believed until death.
YLTMatthew 5
29 `But, if thy right eye doth cause thee to stumble, pluck it out and cast from thee, for it is good to thee that one of thy members may perish, and not thy whole body be cast to Gehenna.
30 `And, if thy right hand doth cause thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast from thee, for it is good to thee that one of thy members may perish, and not thy whole body be cast to Gehenna.
The saying has nothing to do with eyes, hands or Gehenna. It was just a teaching method called "light and heavy".
It simply means if your sin is still small (light) stop it before it grows into a big (heavy) sin.
YLTMatthew 8
21 And another of his disciples said to him, `Sir, permit me first to depart and to bury my father;'
22 and Jesus said to him, `Follow me, and suffer the dead to bury their own dead.'
Here Jesus wasn't denying a disciple to give his father a proper burial. His father was already buried long ago.
The Jews had a custom to bury a dead person on the day s/he died. Then the family wasn't even allowed to leave their house for 7 days. So it was impossible for the disciple to be with Jesus if his father just died. The oldest son kept mourning until all the flesh has gone of the body.
Then the bones were placed in ossuaries (boxes). The ossuary was often placed in Jerusalem or a family grave. That was the second burial.
The belief was that the dead persons sin were atoned for when the flesh (=sin) has decomposed. This was a new first century teaching/belief.
Jesus opposed that belief and that is what the verse is likely about.
YLTMatthew 6
1 `Take heed your kindness not to do before men, to be seen by them, and if not--reward ye have not from your Father who is in the heavens;
2 whenever, therefore, thou mayest do kindness, thou mayest not sound a trumpet before thee as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may have glory from men; verily I say to you--they have their reward!
3 `But thou, doing kindness, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth,
4 that thy kindness may be in secret, and thy Father who is seeing in secret Himself shall reward thee manifestly.
A trumpet was a pot that looked like an trumpet. Very wide at the bottom and narrow at the top. When people dropped a coin alms/gift in the pot it made a very distinct sound. Pharisees often boasted that by dropping a large amount of coins in the pot. That was called 'sounding the trumpet'.
YLTMatthew 6
22 `The lamp of the body is the eye, if, therefore, thine eye may be perfect, all thy body shall be enlightened,
23 but if thine eye may be evil, all thy body shall be dark; if, therefore, the light that is in thee is darkness--the darkness, how great!
Good eye=generous. (1/40 of more of ones income)
Bad eye=stingy (1/60th or less of ones income)
Quote from: wwGarment isn't the best possible translation. She was touching a tassel of twisted wool. Those tassels are part of a prayer shawl called Tassels are called tzitzit in Hebrew.
The shawl was also called 'wings'. (I guess it was white )
Each tzitzit consist of 5 double knots in 8 threads.
5+8=13
The numerical value of tzitzit is 600
600+13=613 = number of Torah commandments.
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Nice. :thumbsup:
Malachi 4:2
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise
with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
"wings"H3671
כּנף
kânâphkaw-nawf'
From H3670; an edge or extremity;
specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bed clothing) a flap, (of the earth)
a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle: - + bird, border, corner, end, feather [-ed], X flying, + (one an-) other, overspreading, X quarters, skirt, X sort, uttermost part, wing ([-ed]).
I think the Hebrew can also refer to the section of the Temple where the priests stayed--the priests thereby represented as an extension of Christ. The priest is the border,[ the hem of his garment], between Christ and man as pertains to function. For Moses, this means standing in the gap.
Jon 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea, to lighten [it] of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
Molly
Ships are Skinpots, Jonah is ASLEEP in the sides of the ship is likened to the LIFE[ Christ[ HID WITHIN]
Mat 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
Mat 8:25 And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
Mat 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Mat 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Oddly enough this overlaps with the posting on SHIPS on the Leviathan Thread :icon_flower:
For mine to seek the hidden mysteries is Honey from the ROCK :icon_flower:
QuoteMatt 9
20 and lo, a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, having come to him behind, did touch the fringe of his garments,
21 for she said within herself, `If only I may touch his garment, I shall be saved.'
the hem of who CHRIST is, hung Pommegranates[ FULL OF SEED] AND GOLD BELLS which sound when Priests Moved[ a Voice of LIFE]
Christ was also 12 when he Taught for the first time outside the temple[ Coming of AGE]seems his kin folk found HIM after 3 DAYS-
The woman not only speak of the Lifeless SOUL but also her Kinsmen [ WOMB = MIND being BARREN] bearing NO FRUIT]
Hence she was HEALED through BELIEF :icon_flower:
A rabbinic parable that predates Jesus. Below this parable I'll post the a very similar one told by Jesus.
Besides it's interesting to see the parallels something extra may be learned by combining them...
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The matter may be compared to a king who arranged a banquet and invited guests to it. The king issued a decree which stated, "Each guest must bring something on which to recline." Some brought carpets, others brought mattresses or pads or cushions or stools, while still others brought logs or stones. The king observed what they had done, and said, "Let each man sit on what he brought." Those who had to sit on wood or stone murmured against the king. They said, "ls it respectful for the king, that we, his guests, should be seated on wood and stone?" When the king heard this, he said to them, "lt is not enough that you have dis- graced with your wood and stone the palace which was erected for me at great cost, but you dare to invent a complaint against me! The lack of respect paid to you is the result of your own action." Similarly, in the Hereafter, the wicked will be sentenced to Gehinnom and will murmur against the Holy One Blessed Be He, saying, "We sought His salvation. How could such a fate befall us?" He will answer them, "When you were on earth did you not quarrel and slander and do evil? Were you not responsible for strife and violence? That is why it is written, 'All you that kindle a fire, that encircle yourselves with firebrands, walk in the flame of your fire and among the brands that you have kindled' [Isaiah 5O:1l]. lf you say 'This we have from Your hand,' it is not so; you have brought it on yourselves, and therefore, 'you will lie down in torment' [ibid]" (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 3: 9).
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(Matt 22:1) And having responded, Jesus again spoke to them in parables, saying,
(Matt 22:2) The kingdom of the heavens is like a man, a king who made a wedding for his son.
(Matt 22:3) And he sent forth his bondmen to call those who were invited to the wedding festivities, and they did not want to come.
(Matt 22:4) Again he sent forth other bondmen, saying, Speak to those who were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and my fatlings have been killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding festivities.
(Matt 22:5) But having disregarded, they departed, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise,
(Matt 22:6) and the others having seized his bondmen, abused and killed them.
(Matt 22:7) But having heard that, the king was angry, and having sent forth his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
(Matt 22:8) Then he says to his bondmen, The wedding is indeed ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.
(Matt 22:9) Go ye therefore to the crossings of the ways, and as many as ye may find, call to the wedding festivities.
(Matt 22:10) And those bondmen having departed into the roads, they gathered together all, as many as they found, both bad and good. And the wedding was filled with those who were dining.
(Matt 22:11) But when the king came in to see those who were dining, he saw there a man who was not clothed with a wedding garment.
(Matt 22:12) And he says to him, Friend, how did thou come in here not having a wedding garment? But he was speechless.
(Matt 22:13) Then the king said to the helpers, After binding him hands and feet, take him away and cast him out into the outer darkness. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
(Matt 22:14) For many are called, but few chosen.
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(Luke 14:16) And he said to him, A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many.
(Luke 14:17) And he sent forth his bondman at the hour of the meal to say to those who were invited, Come, because all things are now ready.
(Luke 14:18) And they all from one began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a field, and I have need to go out and see it. I ask thee have me excused.
(Luke 14:19) And another said, I bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to test them. I ask thee have me excused.
(Luke 14:20) And another said, I married a wife, and because of this I cannot come.
(Luke 14:21) And that bondman, having come, he informed his lord these things. Then the house-ruler having become angry, he said to his bondman, Go out quickly into the thoroughfares and lanes of the city, and bring here the poor and maimed and
(Luke 14:22) And the bondman said, Lord, as thou commanded it has happened, and yet there is room.
(Luke 14:23) And the lord said to the bondman, Go out into the roads and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
(Luke 14:24) For I say to you, that none of those men who were invited will taste of my supper. For many are called, but few chosen.
Another Rabinnic parable followed by one of Jesus
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Rabbi Eliezer said Repent one day before your death. His disciples asked him But can a man know on what day he will die? He said So much the more must he repent today. Perhaps he will die tomorrow. It follows that a man should repent every day. Thus in his wisdom Solomon said: Let your garments always be white, and let not oil be lacking on your head' [Ecclesiastes 9:8]." Rabbi Yochanan, the son of Zakkai, told a parable: "lt is like a king who invited his servants to a feast and did not set a time for them to arrive. The wise adorned them- for they said, 'Is there anything lacking in a palace?' The foolish continued working, for they said, 'Is a feast ever given without preparation?' Suddenly the king summoned his servants. The wise entered the palace adorned as they were, but the foolish entered in their working clothes. The king rejoiced when he saw the wise, but was angry when he saw the foolish, and said, 'Those who adorned themselves for the feast shall sit down and eat and drink; but those who did not adorn themselves for the feast shall stand and look on!' " (Shabbath 1533).
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(Matt 25:1) Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who, having taken their lamps, went forth to the bridegroom's gathering.
(Matt 25:2) And five of them were wise, and five were foolish,
(Matt 25:3) foolish women, who, having taken their lamps, took no olive oil with them.
(Matt 25:4) But the wise took olive oil in their vessels with their lamps.
(Matt 25:5) Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
(Matt 25:6) But at midnight a shout occurred, Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go ye forth for his gathering.
(Matt 25:7) Then all those virgins were roused, and put their lamps in order.
(Matt 25:8) And the foolish said to the wise, Give us from your olive oil, because our lamps are going out.
(Matt 25:9) But the wise answered, saying, Perhaps there may not be enough for us and you. But go ye rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.
(Matt 25:10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came. And the prepared entered in with him for the wedding festivities, and the door was shut.
(Matt 25:11) But afterward the other virgins also came, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
(Matt 25:12) But having answered, he said, Truly I say to you, I know you not.
(Matt 25:13) Watch therefore, because ye know not the day nor the hour in which the son of man comes.
Who does recognize the following one?
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May Your will be done in Heaven above
and grant peace and contentment to those who fear You
and do whatever seems best to You May lt be Your will
O Lord my God and cause me to adhere to Your commandments
Do not lead me into sin
nor into 1n1qu1ty
nor into temptation
nor into dishonor
Compel my 1mpulses to serve You
and keep me far from an evil man
or evil companions
Give me good desires and good companions
in this life r
And let me this day and every day find
grace favor and mercy in
Your eyes and in the eyes
of all who see me
and grant me Your best blessings
Blessed are You 0 Lord
who grants Your best blessings
to Your people, Israel.
(Berachoth 60)
To whom can Rabbi Bun bar Rabbi Hiyya be compared? To a king who hired many workers. But there was one worker more efficient in his work than others. What did the king do? . . . Evening arrived and the workers came to collect their pay. The king gave the more efficient worker the same wage as he gave them. The other workers became boisterous and said, "We worked all day long, but this one worked only two hours, but you gave him the same wage!" The king said to them, "This one did more work in two hours than the rest of you did working all day long." Thus, Rabbu Bun, who labored as a student of the Torah only twenty-eight years became as remarkable as a sage who had studied for a hundred years. (Jerusalem Talmud, Berakhot 2:8, c. 400 C.E.)
For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place; and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder, saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?' So the last will be first, and the first last. (Matthew 20:1-16, c. 60 C.E.)
bumping an old thread here instead of starting a new one :)
Wow, anyone ever heard this explanation of Jesus teaching in parables? Specifically, WHEN HE STARTED doing it. I've believe for a long time the scriptures support the fact that He did it to hide the true meaning, etc., but kind'a said "it wasn't their time". But I read the following from "Let Us Reason" and it got my attention. What do you think?
"Some in the Church that have been persuaded not to sit under sound Bible teaching that will awaken them. More pulpit time is devoted to storytelling, jokes and illustrations (stories- fables and myths) than the exposition of the word. The sheep's diet consists more of entertainment, with music, skits and dances with sermons that are like drinking warm milk that will only help them go to sleep.
But didn't Jesus teach numerous of stories? Jesus only started to speak stories and parables because the nation of Israel rejected him as the Messiah. He did not start off his ministry with stories but with explaining the meaning of the Scripture from which they had strayed from. He often stated "have you not read," "it is written," "For I say to you," etc. Once Israel's leadership had blasphemed the Holy Spirit Jesus would almost always have a parable to accompany His teaching. It was not a good thing but a judgment in which He hid the spiritual meaning of the story from those who did not have ears to hear and made it more clear to those who were following the truth."
wow , that was said wonderfully !
I know Jesus came to heal and save , His Word is Life to those whom are perishing
always loved Jobb 33 for this reason
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
Job 33:14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not.
Job 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
Job 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
Job 33:17 That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, and hide pride from man.
Job 33:18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
and this is wonderful too
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Jhn 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with [their] eyes, nor understand with [their] heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
11 He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets[a] of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables,
For they look, but they don't really see.
They hear, but they don't really listen or understand.
14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,
'When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
15 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them.'
16 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it. :HeartThrob:
we rejoice in His Truth