Elberfelder Bible - unrevised version (ca. 1900)

1UndG2532 er stiegG1684 inG1519 das SchiffG4143, setzte überG1276 undG2532 kamG2064 inG1519 seine eigeneG2398 StadtG4172.   2UndG2532 sieheG2400, sie brachtenG4374 einen GelähmtenG3885 zu ihmG846, der aufG1909 einem BetteG2825 lagG906; undG2532 als JesusG2424 ihrenG846 GlaubenG4102 sahG1492, sprachG2036 er zu dem GelähmtenG3885: Sei guten MutesG2293, KindG5043, deineG4675 SündenG266 sind vergebenG863 G4671. 3UndG2532 sieheG2400, etlicheG5100 von den SchriftgelehrtenG1122 sprachenG2036 beiG1722 sich selbstG1438: DieserG3778 lästertG987. 4UndG2532 als JesusG2424 ihreG846 GedankenG1761 sahG1492, sprachG2036 er: WarumG2444 denketG1760 ihrG5210 ArgesG4190 inG1722 eurenG5216 HerzenG2588 ? 5DennG1063 wasG5101 istG2076 leichterG2123, zu sagenG2036: Deine SündenG266 sind vergebenG863 G4671, oderG2228 zu sagenG2036: SteheG1453 auf undG2532 wandleG4043 ? 6Auf daßG2443 ihr aberG1161 wissetG1492, daßG3754 der SohnG5207 des MenschenG444 GewaltG1849 hatG2192 aufG1909 der ErdeG1093 SündenG266 zu vergebenG863.... dannG5119 sagtG3004 er zu dem GelähmtenG3885: SteheG1453 auf, nimm deinG4675 BettG2825 aufG142 undG2532 gehG5217 nachG1519 deinemG4675 HauseG3624. 7UndG2532 er standG1453 auf und gingG565 nachG1519 seinemG846 HauseG3624. 8Als aberG1161 die VolksmengenG3793 es sahenG1492, fürchtetenG2296 sie sich undG2532 verherrlichtenG1392 GottG2316, derG3588 solcheG5108 GewaltG1849 den MenschenG444 gegebenG1325. 9Und alsG2532 JesusG2424 von dannenG1564 weitergingG3855, sahG1492 er einen MenschenG444 amG1909 ZollhauseG5058 sitzenG2521, MatthäusG3156 genanntG3004, undG2532 er sprichtG3004 zu ihmG846: FolgeG190 mirG3427 nach. UndG2532 er standG450 auf und folgteG190 ihmG846 nach. 10UndG2532 es geschahG1096, als erG2424 inG1722 dem HauseG3614 zu Tische lagG345, sieheG2400, da kamenG2064 vieleG4183 ZöllnerG5057 undG2532 SünderG268 und lagenG4873 zu Tische mit Jesu undG2532 seinenG846 JüngernG3101. 11UndG2532 als die PharisäerG5330 es sahenG1492, sprachenG2036 sie zu seinenG846 JüngernG3101: WarumG1302 issetG2068 euerG5216 LehrerG1320 mitG3326 den ZöllnernG5057 undG2532 SündernG268 ? 12Als aberG1161 [Jesus]G2424 es hörteG191, sprachG2036 er: Die StarkenG2192 G2480 bedürfenG5532 nichtG3756 eines ArztesG2395, sondernG235 die KrankenG2192 G2560. 13GehetG4198 aberG1161 hin und lernetG3129, wasG5101 das istG2076: "Ich willG2309 BarmherzigkeitG1656 undG2532 nichtG3756 SchlachtopferG2378;" dennG1063 ich binG2064 nichtG3756 gekommenG2064, GerechteG1342 zu rufenG2564, sondernG235 SünderG268. 14DannG5119 kommenG4334 die JüngerG3101 des JohannesG2491 zu ihmG846 und sagenG3004: WarumG1302 fastenG3522 wirG2249 undG2532 die PharisäerG5330 oftG4183, deineG4675 JüngerG3101 aberG1161 fastenG3522 nichtG3756 ? 15UndG2532 JesusG2424 sprachG2036 zu ihnenG846: KönnenG3361 G1410 etwa die SöhneG5207 des BrautgemachsG3567 trauernG3996, so langeG1909 G3745 der BräutigamG3566 beiG3326 ihnenG846 istG2076 ? Es werdenG2064 aberG1161 TageG2250 kommenG2064, daG3752 der BräutigamG3566 vonG575 ihnenG846 weggenommenG522 sein wird, undG2532 dannG5119 werden sie fastenG3522. 16NiemandG3762 aberG1161 setztG1911 einen FlickenG1915 von neuemG46 TuchG4470 aufG1909 ein altesG3820 KleidG2440; dennG1063 das EingesetzteG4138 reißtG142 vonG575 dem KleideG2440 ab, undG2532 der RißG4978 wirdG1096 ärgerG5501. 17AuchG3761 tutG906 man nicht neuenG3501 WeinG3631 inG1519 alteG3820 SchläucheG779; sonstG1490 zerreißenG4486 die SchläucheG779, undG2532 der WeinG3631 wird verschüttetG1632, undG2532 die SchläucheG779 verderbenG622; sondernG235 man tutG906 neuenG3501 WeinG3631 inG1519 neueG2537 SchläucheG779, undG2532 beideG297 werden zusammen erhaltenG4933. 18Während er diesG5023 zu ihnenG846 redeteG2980, sieheG2400, da kamG2064 ein VorsteherG758 herein und huldigteG4352 ihmG846 und sprachG3004 G3754: MeineG3450 TochterG2364 ist eben jetztG737 verschiedenG5053; aberG235 kommG2064 und legeG2007 deineG4675 HandG5495 aufG1909 sieG846, undG2532 sie wird lebenG2198. 19UndG2532 JesusG2424 standG1453 auf und folgteG190 ihmG846, undG2532 seine JüngerG3101. 20UndG2532 sieheG2400, ein WeibG1135, das zwölfG1427 JahreG2094 blutflüssigG131 war, tratG4334 von hintenG3693 herzu und rührteG680 die QuasteG2899 seinesG846 KleidesG2440 an; 21dennG1063 sie sprachG3004 beiG1722 sich selbstG1438: WennG1437 ich nurG3440 seinG846 KleidG2440 anrühreG680, so werde ich geheiltG4982 werden. 22JesusG2424 aberG1161 wandteG1994 sich um, undG2532 als er sieG846 sahG1492, sprachG2036 er: Sei gutes MutesG2293, TochterG2364; deinG4675 GlaubeG4102 hat dichG4571 geheiltG4982. UndG2532 das WeibG1135 war geheiltG4982 vonG575 jenerG1565 StundeG5610 an. 23UndG2532 als JesusG2424 inG1519 das HausG3614 des VorstehersG758 kamG2064 undG2532 die PfeiferG834 undG2532 die lärmendeG2350 VolksmengeG3793 sahG1492, 24sprachG3004 erG846: GehetG402 fort, dennG1063 das MägdleinG2877 istG599 nichtG3756 gestorbenG599, sondernG235 es schläftG2518. UndG2532 sie verlachtenG2606 ihnG846. 25AlsG3753 aberG1161 die VolksmengeG3793 hinausgetriebenG1544 war, ging er hineinG1525 und ergriffG2902 sieG846 bei der HandG5495; undG2532 das MägdleinG2877 standG1453 auf. 26UndG2532 das GerüchtG5345 hiervonG3778 gingG1831 aus inG1519 jenesG1565 ganzeG3650 LandG1093. 27UndG2532 als JesusG2424 von dannenG1564 weitergingG3855, folgtenG190 ihmG846 zweiG1417 BlindeG5185, welche schrieenG2896 undG2532 sprachenG3004: ErbarmeG1653 dich unserG2248, SohnG5207 DavidsG1138! 28Als er aberG1161 inG1519 das HausG3614 gekommenG2064 war, tratenG4334 die BlindenG5185 zu ihmG846; undG2532 JesusG2424 sprichtG3004 zu ihnenG846: GlaubetG4100 ihr, daßG3754 ich diesesG5124 tunG4160 kannG1410 ? Sie sagenG3004 zu ihmG846: JaG3483, HerrG2962. 29DannG5119 rührteG680 er ihreG846 AugenG3788 an und sprachG3004: EuchG5213 gescheheG1096 nachG2596 euremG5216 GlaubenG4102. 30UndG2532 ihreG846 AugenG3788 wurden aufgetanG455; undG2532 JesusG2424 bedrohteG1690 sieG846 und sprachG3004: SehetG3708 zu, niemandG3367 erfahreG1097 es! 31Sie aberG1161 gingenG1831 ausG1310 und machten ihnG846 ruchbarG1310 inG1722 jenemG1565 ganzenG3650 LandeG1093. 32AlsG1161 sie aber weggingenG1831, sieheG2400, da brachtenG4374 sie einen stummenG2974 MenschenG444 zu ihmG846, der besessenG1139 war. 33UndG2532 als der DämonG1140 ausgetriebenG1544 war, redeteG2980 der StummeG2974. UndG2532 die VolksmengeG3793 verwunderteG2296 sich und sprachG3004 G3754: NiemalsG3763 ward es alsoG3779 inG1722 IsraelG2474 gesehenG5316. 34Die PharisäerG5330 aberG1161 sagtenG3004: Er treibtG1544 die DämonenG1140 ausG1544 durchG1722 den OberstenG758 der DämonenG1140. 35UndG2532 JesusG2424 zogG4013 umher durch alleG3956 StädteG4172 undG2532 DörferG2968 und lehrteG1321 inG1722 ihrenG846 SynagogenG4864 undG2532 predigteG2784 das EvangeliumG2098 des ReichesG932 undG2532 heilteG2323 jedeG3956 KrankheitG3554 undG2532 jedesG3956 GebrechenG3119. 36AlsG1161 er aber die VolksmengeG3793 sahG1492, wurde er innerlich bewegtG4697 überG4012 sieG846, weilG3754 sie erschöpftG1590 undG2532 verschmachtetG4496 warenG2258 wieG5616 SchafeG4263, die keinenG3361 HirtenG4166 habenG2192. 37DannG5119 sprichtG3004 er zu seinenG846 JüngernG3101: Die ErnteG2326 zwarG3303 ist großG4183, der ArbeiterG2040 aberG1161 sind wenigeG3641; 38bittetG1189 nunG3767 den HerrnG2962 der ErnteG2326, daßG3704 er ArbeiterG2040 aussendeG1544 inG1519 seineG846 ErnteG2326. 


Matthew Henry - Concise Commentary
 1   The faith of the friends of the paralytic in bringing him to Christ, was a strong faith; they firmly believed that Jesus Christ both could and would heal him. A strong faith regards no obstacles in pressing after Christ. It was a humble faith; they brought him to attend on Christ. It was an active faith. Sin may be pardoned, yet the sickness not be removed; the sickness may be removed, yet the sin not pardoned: but if we have the comfort of peace with God, with the comfort of recovery from sickness, this makes the healing a mercy indeed. This is no encouragement to sin. If thou bring thy sins to Jesus Christ, as thy malady and misery to be cured of, and delivered from, it is well; but to come with them, as thy darlings and delight, thinking still to retain them and receive him, is a gross mistake, a miserable delusion. The great intention of the blessed Jesus in the redemption he wrought, is to separate our hearts from sin. Our Lord Jesus has perfect knowledge of all that we say within ourselves. There is a great deal of evil in sinful thoughts, which is very offensive to the Lord Jesus. Christ designed to show that his great errand to the world was, to save his people from their sins. He turned from disputing with the scribes, and spake healing to the sick man. Not only he had no more need to be carried upon his bed, but he had strength to carry it. God must be glorified in all the power that is given to do good.

 9   Matthew was in his calling, as the rest of those whom Christ called. As Satan comes with his temptations to the idle, so Christ comes with his calls to those who are employed. We are all naturally averse from thee, O God; do thou bid us to follow thee; draw us by thy powerful word, and we shall run after thee. Speak by the word of the Spirit to our hearts, the world cannot hold us down, Satan cannot stop our way, we shall arise and follow thee. A saving change is wrought in the soul, by Christ as the author, and his word as the means. Neither Matthew's place, nor his gains by it, could detain him, when Christ called him. He left it, and though we find the disciples, who were fishers, occasionally fishing again afterwards, we never more find Matthew at his sinful gain.

 10   Some time after his call, Matthew sought to bring his old associates to hear Christ. He knew by experience what the grace of Christ could do, and would not despair concerning them. Those who are effectually brought to Christ, cannot but desire that others also may be brought to him. Those who suppose their souls to be without disease will not welcome the spiritual Physician. This was the case with the Pharisees; they despised Christ, because they thought themselves whole; but the poor publicans and sinners felt that they wanted instruction and amendment. It is easy, and too common, to put the worst constructions upon the best words and actions. It may justly be suspected that those have not the grace of God themselves, who are not pleased with others' obtaining it. Christ's conversing with sinners is here called mercy; for to promote the conversion of souls is the greatest act of mercy. The gospel call is a call to repentance; a call to us to change our minds, and to change our ways. If the children of men had not been sinners, there had been no need for Christ to come among them. Let us examine whether we have found out our sickness, and have learned to follow the directions of our great Physician.

 14   John was at this time in prison; his circumstances, his character, and the nature of the message he was sent to deliver, led those who were peculiarly attached to him, to keep frequent fasts. Christ referred them to John's testimony of him, John 3:29. Though there is no doubt that Jesus and his disciples lived in a spare and frugal manner, it would be improper for his disciples to fast while they had the comfort of his presence. When he is with them, all is well. The presence of the sun makes day, and its absence produces night. Our Lord further reminded them of common rules of prudence. It was not usual to take a piece of rough woolen cloth, which had never been prepared, to join to an old garment, for it would not join well with the soft, old garment, but would tear it further, and the rent would be made worse. Nor would men put new wine into old leathern bottles, which were going to decay, and would be liable to burst from the fermenting of the wine; but putting the new wine into strong, new, skin bottles, both would be preserved. Great caution and prudence are necessary, that young converts may not receive gloomy and forbidding ideas of the service of our Lord; but duties are to be urged as they are able to bear them.

 18   The death of our relations should drive us to Christ, who is our life. And it is high honour to the greatest rulers to attend on the Lord Jesus; and those who would receive mercy from Christ, must honour him. The variety of methods Christ took in working his miracles, perhaps was because of the different frames and tempers of mind, which those were in who came to him, and which He who searches the heart perfectly knew. A poor woman applied herself to Christ, and received mercy from him by the way. If we do but touch, as it were, the hem of Christ's garment by living faith, our worst evils will be healed; there is no other real cure, nor need we fear his knowing things which are a grief and burden to us, but which we would not tell to any earthly friend. When Christ entered the ruler's house, he said, Give place. Sometimes, when the sorrow of the world prevails, it is difficult for Christ and his comforts to enter. The ruler's daughter was really dead, but not so to Christ. The death of the righteous is in a special manner to be looked on as only a sleep. The words and works of Christ may not at first be understood, yet they are not therefore to be despised. The people were put forth. Scorners who laugh at what they do not understand, are not proper witnesses of the wonderful works of Christ. Dead souls are not raised to spiritual life, unless Christ take them by the hand: it is done in the day of his power. If this single instance of Christ's raising one newly dead so increased his fame, what will be his glory when all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and come forth; those that have done good to the resurrection of life, and those that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation!

 27   At this time the Jews expected Messiah would appear; these blind men knew and proclaimed in the streets of Capernaum that he was come, and that Jesus was he. Those who, by the providence of God, have lost their bodily sight, may, by the grace of God, have the eyes of their understanding fully enlightened. And whatever our wants and burdens are, we need no more for supply and support, than to share in the mercy of our Lord Jesus. In Christ is enough for all. They followed him crying aloud. He would try their faith, and would teach us always to pray, and not to faint, though the answer does not come at once. They followed Christ, and followed him crying; but the great question is, Do ye believe? Nature may make us earnest, but it is only grace that can work faith. Christ touched their eyes. He gives sight to blind souls by the power of his grace going with his word, and he puts the cure upon their faith. Those who apply to Jesus Christ, shall be dealt with, not according to their fancies, nor according to their profession, but according to their faith. Christ sometimes concealed his miracles, because he would not indulge the conceit which prevailed among the Jews, that their Messiah should be a temporal prince, and so give occasion to the people to attempt tumults and seditions.

 32   Of the two, better a dumb devil than a blaspheming one. Christ's cures strike at the root, and remove the effect by taking away the cause; they open the lips, by breaking Satan's power in the soul. Nothing can convince those who are under the power of pride. They will believe anything, however false or absurd, rather than the Holy Scriptures; thus they show the enmity of their hearts against a holy God.

 35   Jesus visited not only the great and wealthy cities, but the poor, obscure villages; and there he preached, there he healed. The souls of the meanest in the world are as precious to Christ, and should be so to us, as the souls of those who make the greatest figure. There were priests, Levites, and scribes, all over the land; but they were idol shepherds, Zech 11:17; therefore Christ had compassion on the people as sheep scattered, as men perishing for lack of knowledge. To this day vast multitudes are as sheep not having a shepherd, and we should have compassion and do all we can to help them. The multitudes desirous of spiritual instruction formed a plenteous harvest, needing many active labourers; but few deserved that character. Christ is the Lord of the harvest. Let us pray that many may be raised up and sent forth, who will labour in bringing souls to Christ. It is a sign that God is about to bestow some special mercy upon a people, when he stirs them up to pray for it. And commissions given to labourers in answer to prayer, are most likely to be successful.