Chapter BY Chapter

Now, Bethsaida was next to the Jordon River, North of the Sea of Galilee a little bit.  You can see it here on this map.  I underlined the city name with a red line.  Geological and geomorphological studies show that in the past this valley was part of the Sea of Galilee. A series of earthquakes caused silt to accumulate, thus creating the valley and causing the north shore of the Sea of Galilee to recede. The result of this process, which continued until the Hellenistic period, was that Bethsaida, which had originally been built on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, came to be situated some 1.5 km. north of the shore.  The name Bethsaida means "house of the hunt" in Hebrew.  The excavations revealed that the settlement at Bethsaida was founded in the 10th century BCE, in the biblical period. By that time the areas north and east of the Sea of Galilee were part of the Aramaean kingdom of Geshur. Its royal family, which ruled for several generations, was connected by marriage to tDavidic dynasty. King David married Maacha, daughter of the King of Geshur; she was the mother of Absalom, who later found refuge in the Land of Geshur.  Archeological excavations conducted at the site revealed impressive structures and fortifications, and the excavator therefore surmises that during this period Bethsaida was the capital city of the Kingdom of Geshur and the seat of its monarchs.  A Western tower was excavated and it had an outer gateway.  The tower measured 10 X 8 meters.  The preserved height was 3 meters.  In the outer gateway, a 30 meter long walkway paved with flat basalt stones led to the "four-room" inner gatehouse.  There was a basalt outcropping nearby to the North where they obtained these stones. Above the stone structure there was a brick superstructure.  Carvings of Mesopotamian pantheistic gods were found on some of the walls.  The Aramean city of Bethsaida was conquered and destroyed by the Assyrian king Tiglath Pileser III during his campaign in the region in 734 BCE.  From the time of that destruction, and until the Hellenistic period, the site was only sparsely inhabited.  Numerous fishing tools lead weights for nets, iron anchors, needles and fishing hooks were found in the houses, attesting to an economy based on fishing. One of the houses had a cellar in which ceramic wine amphorae and several vine pruning hooks were found.  (https://mfa.gov.il/mfa/israelexperience/history/pages/bethsaida-%20an%20ancient%20fishing%20village%20on%20the%20shore.aspx)

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So, Simon Peter and Andrew already knew that Jesus was the Messiah.  Then it says, “and going on from there.”  What that is saying is that Jesus walked a little further.  Jesus sees James and John, and he calls them.  James and John drop everything and follow Jesus, leaving their father to mend the nets by himself.  So, now what are Jesus and his disciples going to do?

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Verses 23-25,

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“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.  So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.  And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.”

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So Jesus went throughout all of Galilee teaching in the synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.  Notice it says here that Jesus was teaching in the synagogues.  Jesus was teaching, not just participating in a discussion.  Jesus is explaining things to them, and since he was doing this in synagogues, he would have to be teaching according to the Old Testament.  What was Jesus teaching?

The gospel of the kingdom.  The word for gospel here is made from 2 words. Eu, which means “good.”  When we say a eulogy, we say something good about someone.  Angelion is the 2nd part and is the word for “message.”  Angelos is the word for angel which means one who brings a message.  This passage could be a fulfillment of prophecy.  “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news” (Isa. 52:7).  Put these 2 words together and you have euangelion, from which we get our modern day word, evangelism. 

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What good message was Jesus bringing?

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He was bringing the good message of the kingdom.  Remember back in verse 17, Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  So the good message was about the kingdom of heaven being near.  Not only was he bringing the good message, but he was proclaiming the good news of the kingdom.  Proclaiming has the connotation of announcing something is new or has arrived.  Jesus had something new to say about the kingdom, and that had to do with its arrival. 

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Now, when we are going out evangelizing and telling people about the good news that the kingdom of heaven is near, and they say, “Hey!  You’ve been saying that for 2,000 years!  Where is it?”  Then what do we say?

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Yes, it has been near for 2,000 years.  That is because you can just reach out and grab it.  It is for anyone at any time.  You can realize it into your own life.  The kingdom of heaven is not limited to a time and place.  You can become a citizen of that kingdom right now.  Jesus also said that the kingdom of God is within you.  If you accept Jesus’ message, the change that happens within you becomes the Kingdom of God. 

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What else was Jesus doing?

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Healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 

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What was the result of Jesus healing people?

1. His fame spread throughout all of Syria.

2. People brought all their sick for Jesus to heal.

3. And great crowds followed him.

 

Where did these crowds come from?

1. Syria

2. Galilee

3. Decapolis

4. Jerusalem

5. Judea

6. Beyond the Jordan

 

Make a note here.  Syria and Decapolis were pretty much Greek, that is, non-Jewish areas.  It is people from all these areas including the Gentile areas that are making up these crowds to follow Jesus.

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What is Jesus going to do with all these crowds?

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Chapter 5, verse 1:

“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.”

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Do you think that by disciples, it means here just Peter, Andrew, James, and John?  No, it means the whole crowd.  This is why he went up on a mountain – so everyone could hear him.

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Verse 2:

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“And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:”

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Following are the 9 beatitudes.  The other gospels record fewer beatitudes.  Luke records five of them.  That could be because of lack of memory, or selecting their favorite ones.

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Verse 3,

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“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

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Luke 6:20 quotes this saying without the words “in spirit.”  The other gospels may have slightly different versions of what Jesus said because he probably said it many times.  Jesus may have had additional angles on his speeches, all of which are true.  The purpose of saying “theirs is the kingdom of heaven” is to show that they will have a very important inheritance.  Whatever one is poor in in this life, Jesus says he will have in abundance in the kingdom of heaven.

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There are 2 Old Testament verses that come close to meaning the same thing.

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Isaiah 66:2,

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“Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being, declares the LORD. This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.”

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Psalm 34:18,

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“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

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Notice how succinct and to the point that Jesus puts his statement.  Whether you are poor or poor in spirit, you own the kingdom of heaven.  You will have it all one day. 

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Verse 4,

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“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

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This is similar to Isaiah 61:2,

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“to comfort all who mourn.”

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Now, when Jesus says “blessed” is he saying they will be blessed?

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No. He’s saying they ARE blessed.  Jesus is saying this with certainty.  There is no doubt to be had that those who mourn will be comforted.  If you are in mourning today, you are blessed today because Jesus gave us the certainty that we will be comforted.  Did Jesus give us that certainty only because he said so?

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No.  Jesus gave us that certainty because he proved his power by all the healings he did.

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No.  Jesus gave us that certainty because he rose from the dead.

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Verse 5,

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“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

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This is similar to Psalm 37:9&11,

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“For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”

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“But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.”

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Verse 6,

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“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

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There are 2 similar verses in the Old Testament.

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Proverbs 21:21,

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“He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.”

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Proverbs 10:24,

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“What the wicked dreads will overtake him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.”

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If you hunger and thirst for righteousness, you are sure to attain it.  Why is that? 

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God rewards those that honestly seek him.

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Jesus adds one more thing here.  “Blessed” are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Seek this and you are certain to be blessed. 

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Verse 7,

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“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

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What is mercy?  Mercy is a compassion or forbearance.  When I was paying on my school loan, I had some times when I was unemployed and had to ask for forbearance.  When I was under forbearance, I didn’t have to pay the payments that I was supposed to pay.  So, mercy is not getting something negative that you have coming to you or not having to pay your debt.  Jesus will be expanding on this idea later in the Gospel of Matthew.  Simply stated here, if you are merciful, you will receive mercy.  Oh, and one more thing, you are blessed.

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Verse 8,

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“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

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Some related verses:

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Job 19:26,

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“Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.”

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Psalm 51:10,

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“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

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Psalm 73:1,

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“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.”

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Proverbs 22:11,

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“He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.”

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God loves a pure heart, so if you have a pure heart, you will see God.  And one more thing – you are blessed.

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Verse 9,

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“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

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There just isn’t a verse like this in the Old Testament.  But, there is a good example of a peacemaker, Isaac.

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Isaac is set forth in Genesis as a man of peace, one whose example could do more to bless the world than all the summits ever held.  Like his father before him, Isaac set out for Egypt in the time of famine. Arriving at Gerar, in the Philistine country, he was told by the Lord not to proceed to Egypt. Thus for some time he dwelt at Gerar, his flocks and herds increasing greatly.  Now Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the Lord blessed him, and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy; for he had possessions of flocks and herds and a great household, . . . (Genesis 26:12-17).  His continuing prosperity resulted in the envy of his neighbors, who stopped up the wells which Abraham’s servants dug. This was an open and flagrant violation of the pledge made to Abraham by Abimelech (Genesis 21:22-34).  Though right and reason were both on his side, Isaac, the lover of peace, simply departed and drifted into the valley of Gerar. Prayerfully and peacefully did he steal away, avoiding a bloody confrontation. The Philistines, however, were not through.  Once again they pursued Isaac, filling with dirt the wells he had dug. This happened repeatedly, prompting Isaac to name the wells enmity and contention. Finally, Isaac opened a well which was left untouched and called it Rehoboth, meaning broad places, room because at last the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land (Genesis 26:22).  (http://www.biblecourses.com/English/en_lessons/EN_198805_02.pdf)

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Verse 10,

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“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

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Now, sometimes this beatitude is combined with the next beatitude because they are both about persecution.  They should be separate.  This beatitude is about being persecuted for the sake of righteousness.  The next beatitude is about being persecuted for Jesus’ sake. 

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Psalm 11:7,

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“For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.”

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Genesis 6:9,

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“These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.”

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Deuteronomy 6:17-18,

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"You should diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and His testimonies and His statutes which He has commanded you, "You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore to give your fathers,”

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Isaiah 51:7,

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“Listen to Me, you who know what is right, you people with My law in your hearts: Do not fear the scorn of men; do not be broken by their insults.”

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Isaiah 66:5,

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“You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: "Your brothers who hate and exclude you because of My name have said, 'Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!' But they will be put to shame."

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Psalm 15:1-5,

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“O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?

    Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right

    and speaks truth in his heart;

who does not slander with his tongue

    and does no evil to his neighbor,

    nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

in whose eyes a vile person is despised,

    but who honors those who fear the Lord;

who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

who does not put out his money at interest

    and does not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.”

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So, this idea too, was based in the Old Testament.

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Verses 11-12,

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“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

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There are some parallels in the Old Testament.

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2 Chronicles 36:16,

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“But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy”

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Jeremiah was persecuted in Jeremiah 37:11-15,

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“Now when the Chaldean army had withdrawn from Jerusalem at the approach of Pharaoh's army,  Jeremiah set out from Jerusalem to go to the land of Benjamin to receive his portion there among the people.  When he was at the Benjamin Gate, a sentry there named Irijah the son of Shelemiah, son of Hananiah, seized Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “You are deserting to the Chaldeans.”  And Jeremiah said, “It is a lie; I am not deserting to the Chaldeans.” But Irijah would not listen to him, and seized Jeremiah and brought him to the officials.  And the officials were enraged at Jeremiah, and they beat him and imprisoned him in the house of Jonathan the secretary, for it had been made a prison.”

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Job was afflicted by Satan, but he had the assurance that he would see his redeemer even after his flesh withered away.

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Going forward in Acts 7:52,

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"Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become;”

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The teachings of Jesus were well grounded in the Old Testament.  Jesus summarized many of these teachings succinctly in the Beatitudes and puts them in the present for his listeners. 

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Notice that in all these things, Jesus used the present tense.  It was not that his hearers would be blessed, but that they are blessed.  The blessing is in the here and now, just as he preached that the kingdom of God is near.  You can reach out and grab it.  You can have the kingdom of God right now. 

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Song: You Are Blessed