But when the multitude saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, who had given such power unto men.
All Commentaries on Matthew 9:8 Go To Matthew 9
John Chrysostom
AD 407
Serm. 50: The Creator of all things, the Lord of the world, when He had for our sakes straitened Himself in the bonds of our flesh, began to have His own country as a man, began to be a citizen of Judaea, and to have parents, though Himself the parent of all, that affection might attach those whom fear had separated.
By “his own city” is here meant Capharnaum. For one town, to wit, Bethlehem, had received Him to be born there; another had brought Him up, to wit, Nazareth; and a third received Him to dwell there continually, namely,Capharnaum.
This paralytic is not the same as he in John. For he lay by the pool, this inCapharnaum; he had none to assist him, this was borne “on a bed.”.
Seeing then that they showed so great faith, He also shows His excellent power; with full power forgiving sin, as it follows, “he said to the paralytic, Be of good courage, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.”.
Of how great power with God must a man’s own faith be, when that of others here availed to heal a man both within and without. The paralytic hears his pardon pronounced, in silence uttering no thanks, for he was more anxious for the cure of his body than his soul. Christ therefore with good reason accepts the faith of those that bare him, rather than his own hardness of heart.
Or, we may suppose even the sick man to have had faith; otherwise he would not have suffered himself to be let down through the roof as the other Evangelist relates.
The Scribes in their desire to spread an ill report of Him, against their will made that which was done be more widely known; Christ using their envy to make known the miracle. For this is of His surpassing wisdom to manifest His deeds through His enemies; whence it follows, “Behold, some of the Scribes said among themselves, This man blasphemeth.”.
Above, He said to the paralytic, “Thy sins are forgiven thee,” not, I forgivethee thy sins; but now when the Scribes made resistance, He shows the greatness of His power by saying, “The Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins. "And to show that He was equal to the Father, He said not that the Son of Man needed any to forgive sins, but that “He hath power.”.
That which had been proof of his sickness, should now become proof of his recovered health. “And go to thy house,” that having been healed by Christian faith, you may not die in the faithlessness of the Jews.
Christ has no need of the vessel, but the vessel of Christ; for without heavenly pilotage the bark of the Church cannot pass over the sea of the world to the heavenly harbour.
The Lord requires not in this world the will of those who are without understanding, but looks to the faith of others; as the physician does not consult the wishes of the patient when his malady requires other things.
