Catholic Bible Study: Matthew 9:1-26
Podcast: Catholic Bible Study (Augustine Institute)
Host: Dr. Tim Gray (A), Guest: Dr. Michael Barber (B)
Date: November 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode continues a deep dive into the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on Matthew 9:1-26. Dr. Tim Gray and Dr. Michael Barber explore the meaning and implications of Jesus’ miracles, the theological significance of the title "Son of Man," Jesus as the Bridegroom, and the importance of faith and sacraments in the Christian life. The discussion emphasizes scriptural context, Old Testament prefiguration, and Catholic theology for both academic and devotional enrichment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Ten Mighty Deeds of Jesus

[00:00]–[02:15]

• Context: Chapters 8 and 9 are presented as a sequence of ten "mighty deeds" by Jesus (not called “miracles” in biblical language, as “miracles” is a post-Enlightenment term).
• Symbolism: The number ten is associated with authority in Jewish culture (e.g., Ten Commandments).
  “There’s nothing more natural than that the maker of nature commands nature to obey him.” —A (00:45)

2. Healing of the Paralytic & The Forgiveness of Sins

[02:15]–[08:16]

• The Scene: Friends bring a paralytic to Jesus, whose faith—along with theirs—moves Jesus to forgive the man’s sins before healing him.
• Theological Point: Physical miracles make visible the invisible work of God, especially the forgiveness of sins.
• Baptism Analogy: Faith of others (parents, friends) can merit grace for someone, as in infant baptism.
• Divinity of Christ: Scribes accuse Jesus of blasphemy for claiming to forgive sins—a prerogative reserved for God alone. Jesus demonstrates his authority by healing the man.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Salvation isn’t just an individual affair. There’s an ecclesial dimension.” —B (04:46)
  • Notable Quote:
    “Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Rise and walk’? … Of course, ‘Rise and walk,’ that’s going to be empirically demonstrable.” —A (06:48)

3. Old Testament Connections: New Exodus & Miracles as "Motives of Credibility"

[08:16]–[10:48]

• Jesus echoes language from the Exodus narrative (“so that you may know”), likening himself to Moses and casting his opponents as Pharaoh.
• Miracles are not just signs for their own sake; they serve as motives for believing the supernatural truths revealed by God and affirm Jesus’ divine identity.

4. The "Son of Man" Title Explained

[10:48]–[17:27]

• Prophetic Background: The title “Son of Man” draws from Daniel 7, where a divine, messianic figure comes with authority at the time of the fourth kingdom (interpreted as Rome).
• Messianic Implications: “Son of Man” connotes both kingship and collective representation of God’s people (Israel). Its use is Christologically rich and affirms Jesus’ messianic mission.
  • Notable Quote:
    “When Jesus refers to himself as Son of Man, it’s not a self-effacing, aw-shucks humble title, is it?” —A (14:53) “I’m just a little Son of Man over here.” —B (14:54)
• Translation Caution: Overly inclusive translations can obscure this title’s significance (e.g., rendering "Son of Man" as "human being" in Daniel).
  • Notable Quote:
    “With those inclusive translations... you lose the title that Jesus is using for himself, and something’s lost there.” —A (17:45)

5. The Bridegroom and Fasting

[18:10]–[25:03]

• Challenge: John’s disciples ask why Jesus’ followers don’t fast.
• Jesus’ Response: He invokes the imagery of a wedding feast—where fasting is inappropriate in the groom’s presence—which points to himself as the Bridegroom, a role reserved for God in the Old Testament (Isaiah, Hosea).
• Historical Context: Pharisaic fasting was, in part, a memorial of God’s absence from the Temple after the exile; Jesus’ presence signals God’s return (“Emmanuel”).
  • Notable Quote:
    “The fasting... came after the temple was destroyed... they’re mourning the absence of God... The fact that Jesus... says they don’t need to fast because I’m with them—marks the return of God’s presence.” —A (21:37)
• New Wine/New Wineskins Analogy: Jesus indicates a new kind of righteousness and festivals appropriate to the New Covenant, beyond the scope of the old.
  • Notable Quote:
    “What Jesus is going to expect of us in the new covenant goes beyond what is expected in the Torah.” —B (23:45)

6. The Healing of the Hemorrhaging Woman & Raising of the Ruler’s Daughter

[25:17]–[27:34]

• Dual Miracle Scene: While en route to raise a ruler’s daughter, a woman with hemorrhages touches Jesus' tassels (tzitzit) for healing.
• Old Testament Parallels: The tassels symbolize Torah observance and priestly mediation; in Ezekiel 44, holy garments are reserved to prevent the accidental communication of holiness—here, Jesus deliberately communicates power.
• Contrast with Elisha: Unlike Elisha, who must hurry and go through elaborate rituals to raise the dead, Jesus acts with calm authority—he is Lord of life and death.
  • Notable Moment:
    “He’s the Lord of life and death, and he doesn’t have to rush. Whether dead or alive, he can bring life.” —A (27:34)
• Liturgical & Sacramental Link: The scene’s catacomb imagery opens the section on sacraments in the catechism—Jesus’ physical healings are outward signs of the invisible grace conferred in the sacraments.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Efficacy of Others' Faith:
  • "The faith of his friends... moves God's heart to bless and forgive his sins." —A (04:32)
• On Jesus' Self-Identity:
  • "It's actually Jesus' favorite self-designation... No one else ever calls him the Son of Man." —B (16:27)
• On Sacraments and Grace:
  • "If we receive [the sacraments] with faith, the faith of the hemorrhaging woman, we will have the power of God and the grace of God flow into our lives." —A (27:50)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–02:15: Overview of Jesus’ “Ten Mighty Deeds” and their symbolic role
• 02:15–08:16: Healing the paralytic, forgiveness of sins, faith of friends, parallel to baptism
• 08:16–10:48: “So that you may know”—link to the Exodus, miracles as grounds for belief
• 10:48–17:27: Son of Man title—Daniel 7, messianic hopes, Jewish expectations
• 18:10–25:03: The Bridegroom, Jewish wedding customs, meaning of fasting, new wine/wineskins
• 25:17–27:34: Healing the hemorrhaging woman and Jairus’ daughter, Old Testament priesthood, sacramental overtones

Takeaways & Closing Thoughts

• Jesus’ miracles reveal not just his power, but his deeper identity as Messiah, Son of Man, and God present with his people.
• The faith of a community can intercede for individuals—seen both in healing and in sacramental theology.
• Liturgical and sacramental practices are grounded in these biblical realities—visible signs of invisible grace.
• The episode encourages listeners to approach the sacraments with expectant faith, echoing the trust of the hemorrhaging woman.

“We hope that the word of God is flowing into your heart right now... and that you are encouraged in your faith by the credibility of the faith as we see these great signs Jesus is performing.” —A (27:50)

Next time: Continuation of the mighty deeds of Matthew 9.