First, we looked at the scene on the Mount of Transfiguration, citing previous discussions and adding the discussion of an apparent contradiction that was not discussed at that time. Second, we quoted scriptures to explain that John the Baptist is in the spirit and power of Elijah. Third, we talked about the symptoms of the boy who was possessed by a demon and was healed by Jesus. Fourth, we talked about Jesus helping his father who didn’t have enough faith. From an apparent contradiction in verses, we saw that Jesus was fasting and that the disciples at that time had no faith as small as a mustard seed. Fifth, we briefly discussed Jesus’ second prophecy of his resurrection after three days of death. Sixth, we discussed who Jesus considers the greatest, and that is the humble people. Finally, the verses clearly state why those who are not against us are those who help us. For Christians, it is better to have physical deformities in order to have spiritual life and avoid hell.

1. The scene on the Mount of Transfiguration

“And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.”(Mark 9:1-8) 

The same event is recorded in Luke 9:28-36 and Matthew 17:1-8. The record here is more detailed than that in the book of Matthew. It is basically the same, but the book of Matthew adds, “When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.””(Matthew 17:6-7) The three of them entered the cloud and heard the voice from heaven. It was reasonable for them to be afraid at first, so Jesus touched them and gave them the strength to no longer be afraid. Previously, in “1. What happened in the Mount of Transfiguration” under “1058 Mount of Transfiguration, who is greater, and looking back -Jesus (13),” we discussed in detail Luke 9:28-36 and many other related scriptures, including why we should not just be saved, and from the scriptures we can see that there are fallen Christians outside the New Jerusalem that is coming as mentioned in the book of Revelation. Please visit our website, https://a-christian-voice.com/, and click on “On spiritual understanding about life” to find this article.

Because we can’t possibly discuss all the issues, today we’ll look at an apparent contradiction that we didn’t discuss last time. The book of Luke says, “Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.”(Luke 9:28). Here, it says six days. Clearly, the purpose of this apparent contradiction is to draw our attention to what is happening and to focus solely on the beloved Son, Jesus. We also know that “…while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.”(Luke 9:29) This is why it is called the Mount of Transfiguration. “And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”(Luke 9:30-31)

2. John the Baptist being in the spirit and power of Elijah

“As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant. They asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” And He said to them, “Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him.””(Mark 9:9-13)

Clearly, Jesus was taking a low profile at that time, instructing the three men not to tell anyone that He would be resurrected from the dead. From this passage and subsequent events, we know that the disciples were completely unconvinced. It wasn’t that He didn’t know about this, but rather, “Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.”(John 14:29)

The disciples’ discussion of the resurrection from the dead reveals that they were not very familiar with the Old Testament at the time. Otherwise, they would have at least known that humans could be resurrected from the dead, let alone Jesus, God’s beloved Son. Because the dead were resurrected, there was an incident in the Old Testament where “Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites would invade the land in the spring of the year. As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.”(2 Kings 13:20-21) Of course, they didn’t know that Jesus would never die after His resurrection. Incidentally, the New Testament also records a resurrection from the dead, though ultimately mortal, of Lazarus (see John 11:1-46).

Regarding the coming of Elijah, “Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.”(Matthew 17:13). For “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(Luke 1:17). Therefore, John the Baptist is not identical to Elijah, but rather in his spirit and power.

3. The symptoms of the boy possessed by a demon but healed by Jesus 

“When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!””(Mark 9:14-22)

The same incident is briefly recorded in Matthew 17:14-21. The child’s symptoms are clearly described in these verses. The demon tried to kill the son but failed, giving his father an opportunity to seek the Lord’s mercy. The disciples were unable to cast out the demon because of their lack of faith, as the book of  Matthew mentioned: “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; …”(Matthew 17:19-20) We will discuss these verses later to see what they truly mean.

This time, it mentions that the demon harmed the son before being cast out. However, not every demon that is cast out will harm someone. As the Scripture records, “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm.”(Luke 4:35)

4. Jesus helps the father not believing enough

“And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.” After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up. When He came into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.””(Mark 9:23-29)

Once again, we see Jesus’ compassion and grace. When the child’s father, realizing his lack of enough faith, asked for His help, He helped him and cast out the evil spirit. Once again, we see His spiritual authority; the deaf and mute demon obeyed Him.

Regarding the casting out of the demon, the book of Matthew says, “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. [But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”]”(Matthew 17:19-21) There is an obvious contradiction between the books of Matthew and Mark, as one might ask, is fasting necessary to cast out this kind of demon? Yes. Since Jesus was able to cast out the demon, we know that he fasted. This is the first thing we notice about this apparent contradiction.

Since the disciples did not fast, they certainly could not cast out the demon, as the Scripture clearly states: “Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the bridegroom (Jesus) cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”(Matthew 9:14-15) Therefore, the second thing to note is that Jesus told the disciples that they did not have the faith of a mustard seed at that time, a fact later confirmed. When Jesus was arrested, “…they all left Him and fled.”(Mark 14:50)

We note that the Bible does not record Jesus saying to any (physical) mountain, “…Move from here to there,’ and it will move; …”(Matthew 17:20) Did Jesus not have the faith of a mustard seed? This is obviously wrong, so the reference here is to spiritual matters. The Great Commission says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, …”

(Matthew 28:19). We are to preach, but not everyone will believe. When a person believes, isn’t the spiritual mountain removed from him?

5. Jesus’ second prophecy of His resurrection three days after death

“From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.”(Mark 9:30-32)

The prophecy of resurrection three days after death occurs three times. The first is in Mark 8:31-33, discussed last time, as well as in Matthew 16:21-23 and Luke 9:22. This second prophecy clearly states that it will take place in Galilee. Even then, the disciples still did not understand this statement. To understand the full situation of this prophecy, we must read all the Gospels, or in other words, we have to take the union of them.

6. Whom Jesus considers the greatest

“They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.””(Mark 9:33-37)

Indeed, from a human perspective, the disciples would have argued among themselves about who was the greatest. Jesus’ position on the question of who is greatest is consistent with what is said here. When a person grows up physically, it is impossible to return to the physical state of a child and become smaller again. So, what is the true meaning here? Jesus said, “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”(Matthew 23:11-12) It does not say here how old the child was, so it is impossible to guess. However, he was obviously still at the age of being humble, otherwise Jesus would not hold him in His arms and use him as an example to speak. He relied on his parents for everything, just like us, and we must look to the heavenly Father for everything, so we had to be like this child. Jesus did not just say it, he set an example by His own actions. Didn’t He wash the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper? (See John 13:1-17)

“And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”(Luke 22:25-27) Doesn’t this again align with the same concept? It’s just that the apostles didn’t understand His intention, as we will see in the passages we will discuss in the future.

7. Those who are not against us are for us 

“John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. “For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another (G1514).””(Mark 9:38-50)

Regarding the saying “For he who is not against us is for us,” another verse also states: “John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.””(Luke 9:49-50) Here more clearly explains why those who are not against us are for us, and rewards those who directly help us.

For us, it’s better to have physical defects in order to have spiritual life than to go to hell. This describes the horror of hell. Some truly accept physical defects for the sake of spiritual life, but not everyone does. On the path to be conformed to the image of Jesus, who hasn’t stumbled? If a fall resulted in physical defects, then the church would be composed of people with physical defects, which is not true.

We’ve discussed how the rock salt used by the Jews at the time would lose its flavor. The Bible says, ““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”(Matthew 5:13). We should be salty people who live in peace with one another (G1514).

This is what Paul said, “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace (G1t14); and the God of love and peace will be with you.”(2 Corinthians 13:11) He also said, “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another (G1514).”(1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) and emphasize, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (G1514).”(Romans 12:18). This word G1514 only appears four times, all here.

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

    首先，讲到了七饼几小鱼喂四千人的神迹，因其与五饼二鱼的神迹类似，我们就引用了过去的讨论。第二，说到法利赛人的求神迹不得，预言人子也要如约拿般三日三夜在地里头，简短的讨论了约拿的神迹。第三，我们说到防备法利赛人和希律的酵是什么意思。第四，谈到耶稣吐唾沫去治愈瞎子的详情。第五，谈谈彼得认耶稣为基督这事情，从经文中看到这个希腊字G4073有两个意义， 磐石和小石。因用的是双关语，所以彼得只是小石，不是磐石。第六，谈到耶稣第一次预言死三天后而复活，也顺便提到另外二次是什么。最后，讲到要治死那属世的生命而得到属灵的生命，有耳可听的，就应当听！

1. 七饼几小鱼喂四千人       

    「那时，又有许多人聚集，并没有甚么吃的。耶稣叫门徒来，说：「我怜悯这众人，因为他们同我在这里已经三天，也没有吃的了。我若打发他们饿著回家，就必在路上困乏，因为其中有从远处来的。」门徒回答说：「在这野地，从哪里能得饼，叫这些人吃饱呢？」耶稣问他们说：「你们有多少饼？」 他们说：「七个。」他吩咐众人坐在地上，就拿著这七个饼祝谢了，擘开，递给门徒，叫他们摆开，门徒就摆在众人面前。又有几条小鱼，耶稣祝了福，就吩咐也摆在众人面前。众人都吃，并且吃饱了；收拾剩下的零碎，有七筐子。人数约有四千。耶稣打发他们走了，随即同门徒上船，来到大玛努他境内。」(马可福音 8:1-10)        

    同一件事也记载在马太福音 15:32-39，但说「耶稣叫众人散去，就上船，来到马加丹的境界。」(马太福音 15:39) 所以大玛努他和马加丹是指同一个区域。     

    这和五饼二鱼的神迹类似，是「…拿著这七个饼和几条鱼，祝谢了，擘开，递给门徒，门徒又递给众人。」(马太福音 15:36) 这里不是为著祝谢饼和鱼，而是像擘饼礼中代表擘开自己的身体，供应他们灵粮，等下我们讨论马可福音 8:19-21，就知道我们以前在「3118 五饼二鱼, 平静风和海, 及灵粮 – 约(6)1-33」中的「1. 五饼二鱼的神迹」，这样的讨论是对的。就像我们在那篇文章所说的，很显然他们在五饼二鱼的神迹中并没有体会到耶稣的心意！因为我们详细的讨论过五饼二鱼的神迹，这里就不讨论类似的七饼几小鱼喂饱四千人的神迹了。对这篇文章有兴趣的人，请到网站『 https://a-christian-voice.com/』，按『对属灵生命的了解』。

2. 法利赛人求神迹       

    「法利赛人出来盘问耶稣，求他从天上显个神迹给他们看，想要试探他。耶稣心里深深地叹息，说：「这世代为甚么求神迹呢？我实在告诉你们，没有神迹给这世代看！」」(马可福音 8:11-12)        

    耶稣那时早已行了许多神迹了，他们只是要找祂的把柄。对求神迹这件事，也记载在路加福音 11:29-32 和马太福音 12:38-42。后者很清楚的说，「当时，有几个文士和法利赛人对耶稣说：「夫子，我们愿意你显个神迹给我们看。」耶稣回答说：「一个邪恶、淫乱的世代求看神迹，除了先知约拿的神迹以外，再没有神迹给他们看。约拿三日三夜在大鱼肚腹中，人子也要这样三日三夜在地里头。当审判的时候，尼尼微人要起来定这世代的罪，因为尼尼微人听了约拿所传的，就悔改了；看哪，在这里有一人比约拿更大。当审判的时候，南方的女王要起来定这世代的罪，因为她从地极而来，要听所罗门的智慧话；看哪，在这里有一人比所罗门更大。」(马太福音 12:38-42)        

    约拿的神迹很清楚的记载在约拿书 1:1-2:10，其中说到「耶和华安排一条大鱼吞了约拿，他在鱼腹中三日三夜。」(约拿书 1:17) 这里也很清楚的预言，「约拿三日三夜在大鱼肚腹中，人子也要这样三日三夜在地里头。」(马太福音 12:40) 这也是祂在不同的情况下预言的，「他们还住在加利利的时候，耶稣对门徒说：「人子将要被交在人手里。他们要杀害他，第三日他要复活。」…」(马太福音 17:22-23)     

    我们知道耶稣是真正死了三天，在约拿书中，「约拿在鱼腹中祷告耶和华他的神，说：「我遭遇患难求告耶和华，你就应允我；从阴间的深处呼求，你就俯听我的声音。」」(约拿书 2:1-2) 虽然有人说约拿不过是从阴间的深处呼求，并没有说他死了，但一个人到了阴间，不是死了是什么，所以约拿是在鱼腹中死透了，然后复活，这就犹如新约的拉撒路死而复活，终究还是会死的。另外，我们「从借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」来看，约拿如果不是死后三天而复活，耶稣就不会说，「人子也要这样三日三夜在地里头。」当然，只有这点类似，耶稣是复活后永远不死。

3. 防备法利赛人和希律的酵       

    「他就离开他们，又上船往海那边去了。门徒忘了带饼，在船上除了一个饼，没有别的食物。耶稣嘱咐他们说：「你们要谨慎，防备法利赛人的酵和希律的酵。」他们彼此议论说：「这是因为我们没有饼吧？」耶稣看出来，就说：「你们为甚么因为没有饼就议论呢？你们还不省悟，还不明白吗？你们的心还是愚顽吗？你们有眼睛，看不见吗？有耳朵，听不见吗？也不记得吗？我擘开那五个饼分给五千人，你们收拾的零碎装满了多少篮子呢？」 他们说：「十二个。」「又擘开那七个饼分给四千人，你们收拾的零碎装满了多少筐子呢？」 他们说：「七个。」耶稣说：「你们还是不明白吗？」」(马可福音 8:13-21)        

    同样的一件事情在马太福音 16:5-12 也有记载，并明说了，「我对你们说：『要防备法利赛人和撒都该人的酵』，这话不是指著饼说的，你们怎么不明白呢？」门徒这才晓得他说的，不是叫他们防备饼的酵，乃是防备法利赛人和撒都该人的教训。」(马太福音 16:11-12) 门徒还以为是没有带饼的缘故，所以耶稣会说：「…你们这小信的人，…」(马太福音 16:8) 请注意，耶稣所强调的是擘开，其余的经文非常清楚，就不多谈了。

4. 耶稣吐唾沫治愈瞎子       

    「他们来到伯赛大，有人带一个瞎子来，求耶稣摸他。耶稣拉著瞎子的手，领他到村外，就吐唾沫在他眼睛上，按手在他身上，问他说：「你看见甚么了？」他就抬头一看，说：「我看见人了，他们好像树木，并且行走。」随后又按手在他眼睛上，他定睛一看，就复了原，样样都看得清楚了。耶稣打发他回家，说：「连这村子你也不要进去。」」(马可福音 8:22-26)       

    请注意，耶稣治愈瞎子会使用不同的方式，譬如「耶稣说了这话，就吐唾沫在地上，用唾沫和泥抹在瞎子的眼睛上，对他说：「你往西罗亚池子里去洗。」（「西罗亚」翻出来就是「奉差遣」。）他去一洗，回头就看见了。」(约翰福音 9:6-7) 这次是用两段式的，并在村外进行，显然这村子有问题，因「耶稣打发他回家，说：「连这村子你也不要进去。」」(马可福音 8:26)

5. 彼得认耶稣为基督       

    「耶稣和门徒出去，往凯撒利亚腓立比的村庄去。在路上问门徒说：「人说我是谁？」他们说：「有人说是施洗的约翰，有人说是以利亚，又有人说是先知里的一位。又问他们说：「你们说我是谁？」 彼得回答说：「你是基督。」耶稣就禁戒他们，不要告诉人。」(马可福音 8:27-30)       

    同样的一件事情在路加福音 9:18-20 简短的记载著，也记录在马太福音 16:13-20，并说，「西门彼得回答说：「你是基督，是永生神的儿子。」耶稣对他说：「西门巴约拿，你是有福的！因为这不是属血肉的指示你的，乃是我在天上的父指示的。我还告诉你：你是彼得，我要把我的教会建造在这磐石(rock, G4073)上，阴间的权柄不能胜过他。我要把天国的钥匙给你，凡你在地上所捆绑的，在天上也要捆绑；凡你在地上所释放的，在天上也要释放。」」(马太福音 16:16-19)       

    有争议的是这个字G4073， 这个字出现了16次，我们先看这经文，「…所喝的是出于随著他们的灵磐石(G4073)，那磐石(G4073)就是基督。」(哥林多前书 10:4) 很显然的，在这经文的 G4073 是指基督那大磐石，那真正不能动摇的磐石。再看另两节经文，「所以，凡听见我这话就去行的，好比一个聪明人，把房子盖在磐石(G4073)上。雨淋，水冲，风吹，撞著那房子，房子总不倒塌，因为根基立在磐石(G4073)上。」(马太福音 7:24-25) 和「有落在磐石(G4073)上的，一出来就枯干了，因为得不著滋润。」(路加福音 8:6) 这两者的G4073绝对不是指像耶稣般的大磐石，相比起来只能说是小石，所以G4073有两个意义， 磐石和小石。     

    那么在这经文，「我还告诉你：你是彼得，我要把我的教会建造在这磐石(G4073)上，阴间的权柄不能胜过他。」(马太福音 16:18) 这G4073究竟是磐石或小石?「从神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」来看就很清楚了，「…那已经立好的根基就是耶稣基督，此外没有人能立别的根基。」(哥林多前书 3:11) 所以彼得只是小石，不是磐石。这是双关语，在其他的地方也用过，「就是为我在捆锁中所生的儿子阿尼西母求你。他从前与你没有益处，但如今与你我都有益处。」(腓利门书 1:10-11) 阿尼西母这名字就是有益处的意思。

6. 预言死三天后而复活       

    「从此，他教训他们说：「人子必须受许多的苦，被长老、祭司长和文士弃绝，并且被杀，过三天复活。」耶稣明明地说这话，彼得就拉著他劝他。耶稣转过来，看著门徒，就责备(斥责, G2008, rebuked)彼得说：「撒但，退我后边去吧！因为你不体贴神的意思，只体贴人的意思。」」(马可福音 8:31-33)       

    这是第一次耶稣死三天后复活的预言，在马太福音 16:21-23 和路加福音 9:22 也有记载。虽然耶稣说：「西门巴约拿，你是有福的！因为这不是属血肉的指示你的，乃是我在天上的父指示的。」(马太福音 16:17) 但当彼得只体贴人的意思，而不体贴神的意思时，耶稣知道是从撒但来的，就斥责彼得。        

    顺便一提其他的两次的预言，第二次是「他们还住在加利利的时候，耶稣对门徒说：「人子将要被交在人手里。他们要杀害他，第三日他要复活。」门徒就大大地忧愁。」(马太福音 17:22-23) 第三次是在耶稣上耶路撒冷去的时候对十二个门徒说：「看哪，我们上耶路撒冷去，人子要被交给祭司长和文士。他们要定他死罪，又交给外邦人，将他戏弄、鞭打、钉在十字架上，第三日他要复活。」(马太福音 20:18-19)

7. 治死那属世的生命而得到属灵的生命       

    「于是叫众人和门徒来，对他们说：「若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我。因为，凡要救自己生命的，必丧掉生命；凡为我和福音丧掉生命的，必救了生命。人就是赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有甚么益处呢？人还能拿甚么换生命呢？凡在这淫乱罪恶的世代，把我和我的道当作可耻的，人子在他父的荣耀里，同圣天使降临的时候，也要把那人当作可耻的。」」(马可福音 8:34-38)        

    关于基督徒要背十字架，在马太福音 10:38-39和马太福音 16:24-27也说到。后者更讲到，「人子要在他父的荣耀里，同著众使者降临；那时候，他要照各人的行为报应各人。」(马太福音 16:27) 是的，基督徒要有信心的行为。这里说要治死老我，就是「你们若顺从肉体活著，必要死；若靠著圣灵治死身体的恶行，必要活著。」(罗马书 8:13) 治死那属世的生命，而得到那属灵的生命。在一个人相信的时候，就有了一个新灵和内住的圣灵(参以西结书 36:26-27，哥林多前书 6:19) 身体的得赎是在主第二次来时(参哥林多前书 15:35-54) 因人由灵魂体构成(参帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:23)， 所以我们要治死老我的是魂生命。虽然圣经没有用过老我或魂生命这些辞，但如我们以上所讨论的，圣经绝对有这概念，就犹如圣经没有用过三位一体这辞，绝对有神是三位一体的神的观念。       

    路加福音 9:23-26说到同样的事情，路加福音 14:27-35 也说到这点，并加上，「凡不背著自己十字架跟从我的，也不能作我的门徒。」(路加福音 14:27) 并举例说明这一点，最后还加上了，「…有耳可听的，就应当听！」(路加福音 14:35) 真要有一个能听的耳。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

       首先，講到了七餅幾小魚餵四千人的神蹟，因其與五餅二魚的神蹟類似，我們就引用了過去的討論。第二，說到法利賽人的求神蹟不得，預言人子也要如約拿般三日三夜在地裏頭，簡短的討論了約拿的神蹟。第三，我們說到防備法利賽人和希律的酵是什麼意思。第四，談到耶穌吐唾沫去治癒瞎子的詳情。第五，談談彼得認耶穌為基督這事情，從經文中看到這個希臘字G4073有兩個意義， 磐石和小石。因用的是雙關語，所以彼得衹是小石，不是磐石。第六，談到耶穌第一次預言死三天後而復活，也順便提到另外二次是什麼。最後，講到要治死那屬世的生命而得到屬靈的生命，有耳可聽的，就應當聽！

1. 七餅幾小魚餵四千人

       「那時，又有許多人聚集，並沒有甚麼吃的。耶穌叫門徒來，說：「我憐憫這眾人，因為他們同我在這裏已經三天，也沒有吃的了。我若打發他們餓着回家，就必在路上困乏，因為其中有從遠處來的。」門徒回答說：「在這野地，從哪裏能得餅，叫這些人吃飽呢？」耶穌問他們說：「你們有多少餅？」 他們說：「七個。」他吩咐眾人坐在地上，就拿着這七個餅祝謝了，擘開，遞給門徒，叫他們擺開，門徒就擺在眾人面前。又有幾條小魚，耶穌祝了福，就吩咐也擺在眾人面前。眾人都吃，並且吃飽了；收拾剩下的零碎，有七筐子。人數約有四千。耶穌打發他們走了，隨即同門徒上船，來到大瑪努他境內。」(馬可福音 8:1-10)

        同一件事也記載在馬太福音 15:32-39，但說「耶穌叫眾人散去，就上船，來到馬加丹的境界。」(馬太福音 15:39) 所以大瑪努他和馬加丹是指同一個區域。

     這和五餅二魚的神蹟類似，是「…拿着這七個餅和幾條魚，祝謝了，擘開，遞給門徒，門徒又遞給眾人。」(馬太福音 15:36) 這裡不是為著祝謝餅和魚，而是像擘餅禮中代表擘開自己的身體，供應他們靈糧，等下我們討論馬可福音 8:19-21，就知道我們以前在「2118 五餅二魚, 平靜風和海, 及靈糧 – 約(6)1-33」中的「1. 五餅二魚的神蹟」，這樣的討論是對的。就像我們在那篇文章所說的，很顯然他們在五餅二魚的神蹟中並沒有體會到耶穌的心意！因為我們詳細的討論過五餅二魚的神蹟，這裡就不討論類似的七餅幾小魚餵飽四千人的神蹟了。對這篇文章有興趣的人，請到網站『 https://a-christian-voice.com/』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。

2. 法利賽人求神蹟

       「法利賽人出來盤問耶穌，求他從天上顯個神蹟給他們看，想要試探他。耶穌心裏深深地歎息，說：「這世代為甚麼求神蹟呢？我實在告訴你們，沒有神蹟給這世代看！」」(馬可福音 8:11-12)

        耶穌那時早已行了許多神蹟了，他們衹是要找祂的把柄。對求神蹟這件事，也記載在路加福音 11:29-32 和馬太福音 12:38-42。後者很清楚的說，「當時，有幾個文士和法利賽人對耶穌說：「夫子，我們願意你顯個神蹟給我們看。」耶穌回答說：「一個邪惡、淫亂的世代求看神蹟，除了先知約拿的神蹟以外，再沒有神蹟給他們看。約拿三日三夜在大魚肚腹中，人子也要這樣三日三夜在地裏頭。當審判的時候，尼尼微人要起來定這世代的罪，因為尼尼微人聽了約拿所傳的，就悔改了；看哪，在這裏有一人比約拿更大。當審判的時候，南方的女王要起來定這世代的罪，因為她從地極而來，要聽所羅門的智慧話；看哪，在這裏有一人比所羅門更大。」(馬太福音 12:38-42)

        約拿的神蹟很清楚的記載在約拿書 1:1-2:10，其中說到「耶和華安排一條大魚吞了約拿，他在魚腹中三日三夜。」(約拿書 1:17) 這裡也很清楚的預言，「約拿三日三夜在大魚肚腹中，人子也要這樣三日三夜在地裏頭。」(馬太福音 12:40) 這也是祂在不同的情況下預言的，「他們還住在加利利的時候，耶穌對門徒說：「人子將要被交在人手裏。他們要殺害他，第三日他要復活。」…」(馬太福音 17:22-23)

     我們知道耶穌是真正死了三天，在約拿書中，「約拿在魚腹中禱告耶和華他的神，說：「我遭遇患難求告耶和華，你就應允我；從陰間的深處呼求，你就俯聽我的聲音。」」(約拿書 2:1-2) 雖然有人說約拿不過是從陰間的深處呼求，並沒有說他死了，但一個人到了陰間，不是死了是什麼，所以約拿是在魚腹中死透了，然後復活，這就猶如新約的拉撒路死而復活，終究還是會死的。另外，我們「從藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」來看，約拿如果不是死後三天而復活，耶穌就不會說，「人子也要這樣三日三夜在地裏頭。」當然，衹有這點類似，耶穌是復活後永遠不死。

3. 防備法利賽人和希律的酵

       「他就離開他們，又上船往海那邊去了。門徒忘了帶餅，在船上除了一個餅，沒有別的食物。耶穌囑咐他們說：「你們要謹慎，防備法利賽人的酵和希律的酵。」他們彼此議論說：「這是因為我們沒有餅吧？」耶穌看出來，就說：「你們為甚麼因為沒有餅就議論呢？你們還不省悟，還不明白嗎？你們的心還是愚頑嗎？你們有眼睛，看不見嗎？有耳朵，聽不見嗎？也不記得嗎？我擘開那五個餅分給五千人，你們收拾的零碎裝滿了多少籃子呢？」 他們說：「十二個。」「又擘開那七個餅分給四千人，你們收拾的零碎裝滿了多少筐子呢？」 他們說：「七個。」耶穌說：「你們還是不明白嗎？」」(馬可福音 8:13-21)

        同樣的一件事情在馬太福音 16:5-12 也有記載，並明說了，「我對你們說：『要防備法利賽人和撒都該人的酵』，這話不是指着餅說的，你們怎麼不明白呢？」門徒這才曉得他說的，不是叫他們防備餅的酵，乃是防備法利賽人和撒都該人的教訓。」(馬太福音 16:11-12) 門徒還以為是沒有帶餅的緣故，所以耶穌會說：「…你們這小信的人，…」(馬太福音 16:8) 請注意，耶穌所强調的是擘開，其餘的經文非常清楚，就不多談了。

4. 耶穌吐唾沫治癒瞎子

       「他們來到伯賽大，有人帶一個瞎子來，求耶穌摸他。耶穌拉着瞎子的手，領他到村外，就吐唾沫在他眼睛上，按手在他身上，問他說：「你看見甚麼了？」他就抬頭一看，說：「我看見人了，他們好像樹木，並且行走。」隨後又按手在他眼睛上，他定睛一看，就復了原，樣樣都看得清楚了。耶穌打發他回家，說：「連這村子你也不要進去。」」(馬可福音 8:22-26)

       請注意，耶穌治癒瞎子會使用不同的方式，譬如「耶穌說了這話，就吐唾沫在地上，用唾沫和泥抹在瞎子的眼睛上，對他說：「你往西羅亞池子裏去洗。」（「西羅亞」翻出來就是「奉差遣」。）他去一洗，回頭就看見了。」(約翰福音 9:6-7) 這次是用兩段式的，並在村外進行，顯然這村子有問題，因「耶穌打發他回家，說：「連這村子你也不要進去。」」(馬可福音 8:26)

5. 彼得認耶穌為基督

       「耶穌和門徒出去，往凱撒利亞腓立比的村莊去。在路上問門徒說：「人說我是誰？」他們說：「有人說是施洗的約翰，有人說是以利亞，又有人說是先知裏的一位。又問他們說：「你們說我是誰？」 彼得回答說：「你是基督。」耶穌就禁戒他們，不要告訴人。」(馬可福音 8:27-30)

       同樣的一件事情在路加福音 9:18-20 簡短的記載著，也記錄在馬太福音 16:13-20，並說，「西門彼得回答說：「你是基督，是永生神的兒子。」耶穌對他說：「西門巴約拿，你是有福的！因為這不是屬血肉的指示你的，乃是我在天上的父指示的。我還告訴你：你是彼得，我要把我的教會建造在這磐石(rock, G4073)上，陰間的權柄不能勝過他。我要把天國的鑰匙給你，凡你在地上所捆綁的，在天上也要捆綁；凡你在地上所釋放的，在天上也要釋放。」」(馬太福音 16:16-19)

       有爭議的是這個字G4073， 這個字出現了16次，我們先看這經文，「…所喝的是出於隨着他們的靈磐石(G4073)，那磐石(G4073)就是基督。」(哥林多前書 10:4) 很顯然的，在這經文的 G4073 是指基督那大磐石，那真正不能動搖的磐石。再看另兩節經文，「所以，凡聽見我這話就去行的，好比一個聰明人，把房子蓋在磐石(G4073)上。雨淋，水沖，風吹，撞着那房子，房子總不倒塌，因為根基立在磐石(G4073)上。」(馬太福音 7:24-25) 和「有落在磐石(G4073)上的，一出來就枯乾了，因為得不着滋潤。」(路加福音 8:6) 這兩者的G4073絕對不是指像耶穌般的大磐石，相比起來衹能說是小石，所以G4073有兩個意義， 磐石和小石。

     那麼在這經文，「我還告訴你：你是彼得，我要把我的教會建造在這磐石(G4073)上，陰間的權柄不能勝過他。」(馬太福音 16:18) 這G4073究竟是磐石或小石?「從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」來看就很清楚了，「…那已經立好的根基就是耶穌基督，此外沒有人能立別的根基。」(哥林多前書 3:11) 所以彼得衹是小石，不是磐石。這是雙關語，在其他的地方也用過，「就是為我在捆鎖中所生的兒子阿尼西母求你。他從前與你沒有益處，但如今與你我都有益處。」(腓利門書 1:10-11) 阿尼西母這名字就是有益處的意思。

6. 預言死三天後而復活

       「從此，他教訓他們說：「人子必須受許多的苦，被長老、祭司長和文士棄絕，並且被殺，過三天復活。」耶穌明明地說這話，彼得就拉着他勸他。耶穌轉過來，看着門徒，就責備(斥責, G2008, rebuked)彼得說：「撒但，退我後邊去吧！因為你不體貼神的意思，只體貼人的意思。」」(馬可福音 8:31-33)

       這是第一次耶穌死三天後復活的預言，在馬太福音 16:21-23 和路加福音 9:22 也有記載。雖然耶穌說：「西門巴約拿，你是有福的！因為這不是屬血肉的指示你的，乃是我在天上的父指示的。」(馬太福音 16:17) 但當彼得只體貼人的意思，而不體貼神的意思時，耶穌知道是從撒但來的，就斥責彼得。

        順便一提其他的兩次的預言，第二次是「他們還住在加利利的時候，耶穌對門徒說：「人子將要被交在人手裏。他們要殺害他，第三日他要復活。」門徒就大大地憂愁。」(馬太福音 17:22-23) 第三次是在耶穌上耶路撒冷去的時候對十二個門徒說：「看哪，我們上耶路撒冷去，人子要被交給祭司長和文士。他們要定他死罪，又交給外邦人，將他戲弄、鞭打、釘在十字架上，第三日他要復活。」(馬太福音 20:18-19)

7. 治死那屬世的生命而得到屬靈的生命

       「於是叫眾人和門徒來，對他們說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。因為，凡要救自己生命的，必喪掉生命；凡為我和福音喪掉生命的，必救了生命。人就是賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有甚麼益處呢？人還能拿甚麼換生命呢？凡在這淫亂罪惡的世代，把我和我的道當作可恥的，人子在他父的榮耀裏，同聖天使降臨的時候，也要把那人當作可恥的。」」(馬可福音 8:34-38)

        關於基督徒要背十字架，在馬太福音 10:38-39和馬太福音 16:24-27也說到。後者更講到，「人子要在他父的榮耀裏，同着眾使者降臨；那時候，他要照各人的行為報應各人。」(馬太福音 16:27) 是的，基督徒要有信心的行為。這裡說要治死老我，就是「你們若順從肉體活着，必要死；若靠着聖靈治死身體的惡行，必要活着。」(羅馬書 8:13) 治死那屬世的生命，而得到那屬靈的生命。在一個人相信的時候，就有了一個新靈和內住的聖靈(參以西結書 36:26-27，哥林多前書 6:19) 身體的得贖是在主第二次來時(參哥林多前書 15:35-54) 因人由靈魂體構成(參帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:23)， 所以我們要治死老我的是魂生命。雖然聖經沒有用過老我或魂生命這些辭，但如我們以上所討論的，聖經絕對有這概念，就猶如聖經沒有用過三位一體這辭，絕對有神是三位一體的神的觀念。

       路加福音 9:23-26說到同樣的事情，路加福音 14:27-35 也說到這點，並加上，「凡不背着自己十字架跟從我的，也不能作我的門徒。」(路加福音 14:27) 並舉例說明這一點，最後還加上了，「…有耳可聽的，就應當聽！」(路加福音 14:35) 真要有一個能聽的耳。

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

First, we discussed the miracle of seven loaves and a few small fish feeding four thousand people. Because it is similar to the miracle of five loaves and two fish, we quoted the previous discussion. Second, we talked about the Pharisees’ unsuccessful request for a miracle and the prophecy that the Son of Man would be like Jonah, dead for three days and three nights. We briefly discussed Jonah’s miracle. Third, we talked about the meaning of guarding against the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. Fourth, we talked about the details of Jesus spitting to heal the blind man. Fifth, we talked about Peter’s confessing Jesus as the Christ. From the text, we can see that the Greek word G4073 has two meanings, rock and small stone. Because it is a pun, Peter is just a small stone, not a rock. Sixth, we talked about Jesus’ first prophecy of resurrection after three days of death, and also mentioned the other two times. Finally, regarding the need to put to death the worldly life and have spiritual life, those with ears to hear should listen!

1. Seven loaves and a few small fishes to feed four thousand

“In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and said to them, “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.” And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the people. They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well. And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. About four thousand were there; and He sent them away. And immediately He entered the boat with His disciples and came to the district of Dalmanutha.”(Mark 8:1-10)

The same incident is recorded in Matthew 15:32-39, but it says, “And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan.”(Matthew 15:39) Therefore, the regions of Dalmanutha and Magadha refer to the same area.

This is similar to the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes, which is “…He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.”(Matthew 15:36) This is not about blessing the loaves and fishes, but rather, like the breaking of bread, the representative broke His body to provide them with spiritual food. When we discuss Mark 8:19-21 later, we will know that our previous discussion in “1. The miracle of five loaves and two fish” under “1118 Five loaves and two fish, calm wind in sea, and spiritual food – John (6) 1-33” is correct. As we said in that article, it is obvious that they did not understand Jesus’ intention in the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes! Because we have discussed the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes in detail, we will not discuss the similar miracle of feeding four thousand people with seven loaves and a few small fishes here. For those interested in this article, please visit the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click on “On spiritual understanding about life.”

2. The Pharisees asked for a miracle

“The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.””(Mark 8:11-12)

Jesus had already performed many miracles at that time; they simply wanted to find fault with Him. The request for a miracle is also recorded in Luke 11:29-32 and Matthew 12:38-42. The latter states very clearly, “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.”(Matthew 12:38-42)

The miracle of Jonah is clearly recorded in Jonah 1:1-2:10, which states, “And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.”(Jonah 1 :17) This prophecy is also clear here: “for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”(Matthew 12:40). This was also prophesied under different circumstances: “And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” …”(Matthew 17:22-23) on

We know that Jesus truly died for three days. In the Book of Jonah, “Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish, and he said, “I called out of my distress to the LORD, And He answered me.

I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice.”(Jonah 2:1-2). Although some say Jonah merely cried from the depths of Sheol and did not die, if a person goes to Sheol, what else is there besides death? Therefore, Jonah died completely in the fish’s belly and then was resurrected. This is just like Lazarus in the New Testament who died and was resurrected; ultimately, he will die. Furthermore, according to “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent,” if Jonah had not been resurrected after three days, Jesus would not have said, “so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Of course, this is the only similarity; Jesus is immortal after His resurrection.

3. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod

“Leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side. And they had forgotten to take bread, and did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them. And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” They began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they said to Him, “Seven.” And He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?””(Mark 8:13-21)

The same incident is recorded and clearly stated in Matthew 16:5-12: “How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” The disciples thought it was because they had not brought bread, so Jesus said, “…You men of little faith, …”(Matthew 16:8) Please note that Jesus emphasized breaking. The rest of the Scripture is very clear, so I will not elaborate on it.

4. Jesus spits to heal the blind man

“And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Jesus and implored Him to touch him. Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.” Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.””(Mark 8:22-26)

Notice that Jesus healing blind men used different methods in different occasions. For example, “When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing.”(John 9:6-7) This time, the healing took place in two parts outside the village. Apparently, there was something wrong with the village, for “…He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.””(Mark 8:26)

5. Peter recognizing Jesus as the Christ

“Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” And He warned them to tell no one about Him.”(Mark 8:27-30)

The same incident is briefly recorded in Luke 9:18-20 and also in Matthew 16:13-20, where Matthew 16:16-19 states, “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock (G4073) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.””(Matthew 16:16-19)

The controversial word is G4073. This word appears 16 times. Let’s first look at this verse, “…they were drinking from a spiritual rock (G4073) which followed them; and the rock (G4073) was Christ.”(1 Corinthians 10:4) Obviously, G4073 in this verse refers to Christ, the great Rock, the truly unshakable Rock. Let’s look at two other verses: ““Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock (G4073).”(Matthew 7:24-25) and “Other seed fell on rocky soil (G4073), and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.”(Luke 8:6). In these two passages, the rock is definitely not a large rock like Jesus. In comparison, it can only be described as a small stone. Therefore, the word G4073 has two meanings: rock and small stone.

So in this verse, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock (G4073) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”(Matthew 16:18). Is this G4073 a rock or a small stone? This is clear from the agreement of God’s words through the Scriptures: “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”(1 Corinthians 3:11). So Peter is just a small stone, not a rock. This is a pun, also used in other places: “I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.”(Philemon 1:10-11). The name Onesimus means ‘useful.’

6. Prophecy of resurrection after three days

“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.””(Mark 8:31-33)

This is the first prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection after three days, also recorded in Matthew 16:21-23 and Luke 9:22. Although Jesus said, “…Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 16:17), when Peter considered only the will of man and not God, Jesus knew it came from Satan and rebuked Peter.

By the way, let’s mention two other prophecies. The second one is: “And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” …”(Matthew 17:22-23) The third time was when Jesus was going up to Jerusalem and said to the twelve disciples, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”(Matthew 20:18-19)

7. Putting the worldly life to death and having the spiritual life

“And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.””(Mark 8:34-38)

The fact that Christians must bear the cross is also mentioned in Matthew 10:38-39 and Matthew 16:24-27. The latter further states, “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.”(Matthew 16:27) Yes, christians must have act of faith. Here, it says we must put to death the old self: “for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”(Romans 8:13). Putting to death the earthly life allows us to have spiritual life. When a person believes, they receive a new spirit and the indwelling Holy Spirit (see Ezekiel 36:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:19). The body’s redemption occurs at the Lord’s second coming (see 1 Corinthians 15:35-54). Since man is composed of a spirit, soul, and body (see 1 Thessalonians 5:23), it is the soul-life of the old self that we must put to death. Although the Bible does not use the terms “old self” or “soul-life,” as we have discussed above, they are definitely present in the Bible, just as the Bible does not use the term “Trinity” but definitely has the concept of God as a Triune God.

Luke 9:23-26 says the same thing. Luke 14:27-35 also says this, with saying, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:27) It gives an example to illustrate this point and finally ends, “…He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”(Luke 14:35) It is really a must to have ears that can hear.

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

First, we talked about not abandoning God’s commandments and holding fast to human traditions. We saw that Jesus’s evaluation of the Pharisees as blind was consistent. We discussed how the word G5091 should be in Union Version should be ‘honor’ in the way described as in the Bible. We also mentioned the difference between filial piety and stupidly filial in Chinese tradition. We must follow the teachings of the Bible. Second, Jesus said that all foods are clean. We also explained an obvious contradiction in the book of Acts regarding food. We know that the description in the book of Acts is wrong because the words of the Holy Spirit will never contradict what Jesus said. Third, we talked about the remote healing of the Greek woman’s daughter. Finally, we talked about Jesus healing a man who was deaf and with the impediment of his tongue.

1. Don’t setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep the tradition

“The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors (G5091) Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor (G5091) your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’; but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.””(Mark 7:1-13)

The same incident is briefly recorded in Matthew 15:1-6, but with the addition: “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: ‘This people honors Me with their lips,

But their heart is far away from Me. ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’” After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand. It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.””(Matthew 15:7-14) In the following verses, it says, “Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”(John 9:40-41) We see that Jesus’ evaluation of the Pharisees as blind is consistent.

Mark 7:1-13 clearly states that we should not abandon God’s commandments and cling to human traditions, and gives the example of the Pharisees who was “thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”(Mark 7:13) We will not elaborate on this point. 

Here, we need to discuss in the Union Version the translation of “…Moses said, ‘Honor (G5091) your father and your mother’; …”(Mark 7:10). This is because the preceding verse, “…This people honors (G5091) Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.”(Mark 7:6), uses the same word, G5091, but has different translations in Union Version. So, what does this word G5091 mean?

This word appears 22 times. If you read all the relevant verses, you will find that these two verses clearly explain its meaning. That is, “so that all will honor (G5091) the Son even as they honor (G5091) the Father. He who does not honor (G5091) the Son does not honor (G5091) the Father who sent Him.”(John 5:23) and “Honor (G5091) all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor (G5091) the king.”(1 Peter 2:17) Because God has absolute sovereignty and cannot make mistakes, thus “…Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge.”(Acts 4:19) Under the condition of obeying God, we must honor (G5091) everyone and the king, so this word should be translated as ‘honor’ in Union Version.

The Union Version in Mark 7:10 translates G5091 as ‘filial piety,’ because Chinese tradition advocates filial piety and promotes the incorrect, ‘stupidly filial’ found in the “Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars.” Using the term ‘filial piety’ is to distinguish it from ‘stupidly filial,’ which is better, but we must understand that its true meaning is ‘honor’ and follow the Bible’s teachings.

2. All foods are clean

“After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. [If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”] When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.””(Mark 7:14-23)

Jesus clearly stated that all foods are clean, “because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” …”(Mark 7:19) He further illustrated this by examples saying, “…That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.'(Mark 7:20). This point is very clear. Therefore, Paul said, “I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”(Romans 14:14). He also said, “But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.”(1 Corinthians 8:8)

This is in clear contradiction with the following verse: “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”(Acts 15:28-29). This verse states that there are things that cannot be eaten. However, the Bible is inspired by God. We see this obvious contradiction here to remind us that this verse is spoken by man and definitely not by the Holy Spirit, because the words of the Holy Spirit would never contradict what Jesus said. The Scripture says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”(John 14:26) On the other hand, if the disciples were 100% certain that it came from the Holy Spirit, they would have simply said, ‘For it was good to the Holy Spirit,’ without having to say, “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” Therefore, they established this law based on their understanding at the time.

This wasn’t the first time the disciples made a wrong decision based on their understanding at the time. Let’s look at what happened before the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection. At a gathering of about 120 brothers (see Acts 1:15), “So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.”(Acts 1:23-26) So Matthias was chosen by lot, not by Jesus, the Lamb, like the other eleven apostles. Some might say that the crowd prayed! Yes, but the New Testament doesn’t say that this prayer was answered. The promise of answered prayers is explicit. “In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.”(Hebrews 5:7)

In contrast, Paul was personally chosen by Jesus after He was resurrected in great light (see Acts 22:6-16). Therefore, Paul is an apostle of the Lamb, while Matthias is not. In the New Jerusalem, “…the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. ” (Revelation 21:14). Paul’s name is among them.

Please note that Mark 7:16 refers to the passage added by some ancient manuscripts in brackets, which has the same meaning like as “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 11:15) It is not found in the main text of every New Testament translation. It doesn’t matter if it’s not there, because the New Testament mentions the same phrase many times.

3. Remote healing of the faithful Greek woman’s daughter

“Jesus got up and went away from there to the region of Tyre. And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice. But after hearing of Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs.” And He said to her, “Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left.”(Mark 7:24-30)

Once again, we see Jesus adopting a low-profile attitude when His time is not up, for “Jesus got up and went away from there to the region of Tyre. And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice.”(Mark 7:24). We also see the Gentile woman’s strong faith, believing that Jesus could heal her absent little daughter from afar. Even when she was compared to a dog, her faith remained unwavering. Because of her faith, Jesus cast out the demon from afar. She truly believed His words and returned home, only to later confirm that what Jesus had said was true.

4. Healing the deaf and tongue-tied man

“Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis. They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him. Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva; and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly. And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it. They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.””(Mark 7:31-37)

We see that Jesus did not lay his hands on the man as requested, but instead healed him in His own way. The Bible does not explain why He chose this method, so there is no way to guess. We also see that He had spiritual authority to make demons listen to Him, but He had no earthly authority over crowds. Finally, we see Himself “…said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.”(Luke 7:22). Making the deaf hear was only a small part of His work.

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

    首先，讲到了不要离弃神的诫命而拘守人的传统，我们看到耶稣对法利赛人是瞎子的评价是一致的，并讨论这个字G5091应是如何的尊敬，也提到了孝顺和孝敬的区别，我们要遵循圣经的教导。第二，耶稣说各样的食物都是洁净的，我们也解释了一个和使徒行传中有关食物的明显矛盾，知道使徒行传中那一段的叙述是不对的，因为圣灵的话绝对不会和耶稣所说的不合。第三，我们谈到了遥治有信心的希腊妇人的小女儿。最后我们讲到耶稣治愈一个耳聋舌结的人。

1. 不要离弃神的诫命而拘守人的传统       

    「有法利赛人和几个文士从耶路撒冷来，到耶稣那里聚集。他们曾看见他的门徒中有人用俗手，就是没有洗的手吃饭。（原来法利赛人和犹太人都拘守古人的遗传，若不仔细洗手就不吃饭；从市上来，若不洗浴也不吃饭，还有好些别的规矩，他们历代拘守，就是洗杯、罐、铜器等物。）法利赛人和文士问他说：「你的门徒为甚么不照古人的遗传，用俗手吃饭呢？」耶稣说：「以赛亚指著你们假冒为善之人所说的预言是不错的。如经上说：『这百姓用嘴唇尊敬(G5091)我，心却远离我。他们将人的吩咐当作道理教导人，所以拜我也是枉然。』你们是离弃神的诫命，拘守人的遗传(传统, tradition, G3862)。」又说：「你们诚然是废弃神的诫命，要守自己的遗传。摩西说：『当孝敬(G5091)父母』，又说：『咒骂父母的，必治死他。』你们倒说：『人若对父母说：我所当奉给你的，已经作了各耳板』（各耳板就是供献的意思），以后你们就不容他再奉养父母。这就是你们承接遗传，废了神的道。你们还做许多这样的事。」」(马可福音 7:1-13)        

    同样的事情在马太福音 15:1-6 也有简短的记载，但加上了「假冒为善的人哪！以赛亚指著你们说的预言是不错的。他说：『这百姓用嘴唇尊敬我，心却远离我；他们将人的吩咐当作道理教导人，所以拜我也是枉然。』」耶稣就叫了众人来，对他们说：「你们要听，也要明白。入口的不能污秽人，出口的乃能污秽人。」当时，门徒进前来对他说：「法利赛人听见这话不服，你知道吗？」耶稣回答说：「凡栽种的物，若不是我天父栽种的，必要拔出来。任凭他们吧！他们是瞎眼领路的；若是瞎子领瞎子，两个人都要掉在坑里。」」(马太福音 15:7-14) 在下面这些经文中说，「同他在那里的法利赛人听见这话，就说：「难道我们也瞎了眼吗？」耶稣对他们说：「你们若瞎了眼，就没有罪了；但如今你们说『我们能看见』，所以你们的罪还在。」」(约翰福音 9:40-41) 我们看到耶稣对法利赛人是瞎子的评价是一致的。        

    马可福音 7:1-13 对不要离弃神的诫命而拘守人的遗传说得很清楚，并举例说明法利赛人是「…承接遗传，废了神的道。…」(马可福音 7:13) 就不多说这点了。在这里，我们要讨论这例子的翻译中，「摩西说：『当孝敬(G5091)父母』，…」(马可福音 7:10) 因在前面的「…如经上说：『这百姓用嘴唇尊敬(G5091)我，心却远离我。」 (马可福音 7:6) 两者是用的同一个字 G5091，但却有不同的翻译，所以这个字到底是什么意思？        

    这个字出现了 22  次，如果你看完所有相关的经文，就会发觉这两节经文说明它的意义很清楚。就是「叫人都尊敬(G5091)子如同尊敬(G5091)父一样。不尊敬(G5091)子的，就是不尊敬(G5091)差子来的父。」(约翰福音 5:23) 和「务要尊敬(G5091)众人，亲爱教中的弟兄，敬畏神，尊敬(G5091)君王。」(彼得前书 2:17) 因为神有绝对的主权，不会犯错，所以「彼得、约翰说：「听从你们，不听从神，这在神面前合理不合理，你们自己酌量吧！」」(使徒行传 4:19) 在听从神的条件下，我们要尊敬(G5091)众人和君王，所以这个字的翻译应是如此这般的尊敬。       

    和合本的翻译说：『当孝敬(G5091)父母』，是因为中国传统说要孝顺父母，且倡导「二十四孝」这本书中不对的愚孝，用孝敬这辞是为了和孝顺这辞分别出来，会比较好，但我们要了解其真正的涵义，遵循圣经的教导。

2. 各样的食物都是洁净的       

    「耶稣又叫众人来，对他们说：「你们都要听我的话，也要明白：从外面进去的，不能污秽人；惟有从里面出来的，乃能污秽人。」（有古卷加：有耳可听的，就应当听！）耶稣离开众人，进了屋子，门徒就问他这比喻的意思。耶稣对他们说：「你们也是这样不明白吗？岂不晓得凡从外面进入的，不能污秽人，因为不是入他的心，乃是入他的肚腹，又落到茅厕里。这是说，各样的食物都是洁净的。」又说：「从人里面出来的，那才能污秽人，因为从里面，就是从人心里发出恶念、苟合、偷盗、凶杀、奸淫、贪婪、邪恶、诡诈、淫荡、嫉妒、谤讟、骄傲、狂妄。这一切的恶都是从里面出来，且能污秽人。」」(马可福音 7:14-23)        

    耶稣说得很清楚，各样的食物都是洁净的，这是「因为不是入他的心，乃是入他的肚腹，又落到茅厕里。…」(马可福音 7:19) 祂又举例说明，「…从人里面出来的，那才能污秽人。」(马可福音 7:20)这点实在非常清楚。所以保罗说，「我凭著主耶稣确知深信，凡物本来没有不洁净的；惟独人以为不洁净的，在他就不洁净了。」(罗马书 14:14) 又说，「其实食物不能叫神看中我们，因为我们不吃也无损，吃也无益。」(哥林多前书 8:8)     

    这和下面这节经文有明显的矛盾，「因为圣灵和我们定意不将别的重担放在你们身上，惟有几件事是不可少的，就是禁戒祭偶像的物和血，并勒死的牲畜和奸淫。这几件你们若能自己禁戒不犯就好了。 愿你们平安！」(使徒行传 15:28-29) 这节经文是说有不能吃的。但圣经是神所默示的，我们看到这里默示了明显的矛盾，是要我们意识到这节经文是人说的，绝对不是从圣灵来的，因为圣灵的话绝对不会和耶稣所说的不合。经文是这么说，「但保惠师，就是父因我的名所要差来的圣灵，他要将一切的事指教你们，并且要叫你们想起我对你们所说的一切话。」(约翰福音 14:26) 另方面仔细的看这经文，如果门徒百分之百的确定是从圣灵来的，祇要说「圣灵定意」就好，根本不必说「圣灵和我们定意」，所以他们也是就那时所暸解的，制定了这样的律法。        

    其实门徒也不是第一次这样照那时所暸解的做错误决定，我们来看在五旬节之前发生的事情，在约有一百二十名弟兄的聚会中(参使徒行传 1:15)，那时他们「…选举两个人，就是那叫做巴撒巴，又称呼犹士都的约瑟和马提亚。众人就祷告说：「主啊，你知道万人的心。求你从这两个人中，指明你所拣选的是谁，叫他得这使徒的位分。这位分犹大已经丢弃，往自己的地方去了。」于是众人为他们摇签，摇出马提亚来，他就和十一个使徒同列。」」(使徒行传 1:23-26) 所以马提亚是抽签来的，并不是像其他 十一个使徒一样，是耶稣这羔羊亲自选的。有人会说，众人祷告过啊! 是的，但新约没有说这祷告被应许。祷告被应许会明说的，「基督在肉体的时候既大声哀哭，流泪祷告，恳求那能救他免死的主，就因他的虔诚蒙了应允。」(希伯来书 5:7)   

    反观保罗，他是在大光中被复活后的耶稣亲自拣选的(参使徒行传 22:6-16)，所以保罗是羔羊的使徒，而马提亚不是，在新耶路撒冷的「城墙有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。」(启示录 21:14) 保罗的名字在上面。       

    请注意，马可福音 7:16 是指有古卷加的那一段，「有耳可听的，就应当听！」不是每本新约的正文都有。其实没有也没关系，因为新约提到同样的句子多次， 譬如其中之一就在马太福音 11:15。

3.  遥治有信心的希腊妇人的小女儿       

    「耶稣从那里起身，往推罗、西顿的境内去。进了一家，不愿意人知道，却隐藏不住。当下，有一个妇人，她的小女儿被污鬼附著，听见耶稣的事，就来俯伏在他脚前。这妇人是希腊人，属叙利腓尼基族。她求耶稣赶出那鬼，离开她的女儿。耶稣对她说：「让儿女们先吃饱，不好拿儿女的饼丢给狗吃。」妇人回答说：「主啊，不错！但是狗在桌子底下也吃孩子们的碎渣儿。」耶稣对她说：「因这句话，你回去吧！鬼已经离开你的女儿了。」她就回家去，见小孩子躺在床上，鬼已经出去了。」(马可福音 7:24-30)       

    我们又一次看到耶稣时间没到的时候是采取低恣态，因为「耶稣从那里起身，往推罗、西顿的境内去。进了一家，不愿意人知道，却隐藏不住。」(马可福音 7:24) 我们也看到那外邦的妇人很有信心，相信耶稣可以遥远治愈她那不在的小女儿，即使是她被比作狗，她的信心仍不减，耶稣因她的信心，就遥远的赶出那在她小女儿身上的污鬼。她是真的相信祂的话，因此回家了，事后才证实果如耶稣所说的。

4. 治愈耳聋舌结的人      

    「耶稣又离了推罗的境界，经过西顿，就从低加坡里境内来到加利利海。有人带著一个耳聋舌结的人来见耶稣，求他按手在他身上。耶稣领他离开众人，到一边去，就用指头探他的耳朵，吐唾沫抹他的舌头，望天叹息，对他说：「以法大！」就是说：「开了吧！」他的耳朵就开了，舌结也解了，说话也清楚了。耶稣嘱咐他们不要告诉人，但他越发嘱咐，他们越发传扬开了。众人分外希奇，说：「他所做的事都好，他连聋子也叫他们听见，哑巴也叫他们说话！」」(马可福音 7:31-37)       

    我们看到耶稣并没有照所求的按手在那人身上，而是用自己的方式治愈了他。圣经没有说衪为什么选择了这方法，猜不来的。我们也看到了衪有使污鬼听衪的属灵的权柄，但没有属世的权柄，可以支配他们。最后我们看到祂自己「…说：「你们去，把所看见所听见的事告诉约翰，就是瞎子看见，瘸子行走，长大痲疯的洁净，聋子听见，死人复活，穷人有福音传给他们。」(路加福音 7:22) 使聋子听见，哑巴说话，只是祂工作的一小部份。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

       首先，講到了不要離棄神的誡命而拘守人的傳統，我們看到耶穌對法利賽人是瞎子的評價是一致的，並討論這個字G5091應是如何的尊敬，也提到了孝順和孝敬的區別，我們要遵循聖經的教導。第二，耶穌說各樣的食物都是潔淨的，我們也解釋了一個和使徒行傳中有關食物的明顯矛盾，知道使徒行傳中那一段的敍述是不對的，因為聖靈的話絕對不會和耶穌所說的不合。第三，我們談到了遙治有信心的希臘婦人的小女兒。最後我們講到耶穌治癒一個耳聾舌結的人。

1. 不要離棄神的誡命而拘守人的傳統

       「有法利賽人和幾個文士從耶路撒冷來，到耶穌那裏聚集。他們曾看見他的門徒中有人用俗手，就是沒有洗的手吃飯。（原來法利賽人和猶太人都拘守古人的遺傳，若不仔細洗手就不吃飯；從市上來，若不洗浴也不吃飯，還有好些別的規矩，他們歷代拘守，就是洗杯、罐、銅器等物。）法利賽人和文士問他說：「你的門徒為甚麼不照古人的遺傳，用俗手吃飯呢？」耶穌說：「以賽亞指着你們假冒為善之人所說的預言是不錯的。如經上說：『這百姓用嘴唇尊敬(G5091)我，心卻遠離我。他們將人的吩咐當作道理教導人，所以拜我也是枉然。』你們是離棄神的誡命，拘守人的遺傳(傳統, tradition, G3862)。」 又說：「你們誠然是廢棄神的誡命，要守自己的遺傳。摩西說：『當孝敬(G5091)父母』，又說：『咒罵父母的，必治死他。』你們倒說：『人若對父母說：我所當奉給你的，已經作了各耳板』（各耳板就是供獻的意思），以後你們就不容他再奉養父母。這就是你們承接遺傳，廢了神的道。你們還做許多這樣的事。」」(馬可福音 7:1-13)

        同樣的事情在馬太福音 15:1-6 也有簡短的記載，但加上了「假冒為善的人哪！以賽亞指着你們說的預言是不錯的。他說：『這百姓用嘴唇尊敬我，心卻遠離我；他們將人的吩咐當作道理教導人，所以拜我也是枉然。』」耶穌就叫了眾人來，對他們說：「你們要聽，也要明白。入口的不能污穢人，出口的乃能污穢人。」當時，門徒進前來對他說：「法利賽人聽見這話不服，你知道嗎？」耶穌回答說：「凡栽種的物，若不是我天父栽種的，必要拔出來。任憑他們吧！他們是瞎眼領路的；若是瞎子領瞎子，兩個人都要掉在坑裏。」」(馬太福音 15:7-14) 在下面這些經文中說，「同他在那裏的法利賽人聽見這話，就說：「難道我們也瞎了眼嗎？」耶穌對他們說：「你們若瞎了眼，就沒有罪了；但如今你們說『我們能看見』，所以你們的罪還在。」」(約翰福音 9:40-41) 我們看到耶穌對法利賽人是瞎子的評價是一致的。

        馬可福音 7:1-13 對不要離棄神的誡命而拘守人的遺傳說得很清楚，並舉例說明法利賽人是「…承接遺傳，廢了神的道。…」(馬可福音 7:13) 就不多說這點了。在這裏，我們要討論這例子的翻譯中，「摩西說：『當孝敬(G5091)父母』，…」(馬可福音 7:10) 因在前面的「…如經上說：『這百姓用嘴唇尊敬(G5091)我，心卻遠離我。」 (馬可福音 7:6) 兩者是用的同一個字 G5091，但卻有不同的翻譯，所以這個字到底是什麼意思？

        這個字出現了 22  次，如果你看完所有相關的經文，就會發覺這兩節經文說明它的意義很清楚。就是「叫人都尊敬(G5091)子如同尊敬(G5091)父一樣。不尊敬(G5091)子的，就是不尊敬(G5091)差子來的父。」(約翰福音 5:23) 和「務要尊敬(G5091)眾人，親愛教中的弟兄，敬畏神，尊敬(G5091)君王。」(彼得前書 2:17) 因為神有絕對的主權，不會犯錯，所以「彼得、約翰說：「聽從你們，不聽從神，這在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量吧！」」(使徒行傳 4:19) 在聽從神的條件下，我們要尊敬(G5091)衆人和君王，所以這個字的翻譯應是如此這般的尊敬。

       和合本的翻譯說：『當孝敬(G5091)父母』，是因為中國傳統說要孝順父母，且倡導「二十四孝」這本書中不對的愚孝，用孝敬這辭是為了和孝順這辭分別出來，會比較好，但我們要了解其真正的涵義，遵循聖經的教導。

2. 各樣的食物都是潔淨的

       「耶穌又叫眾人來，對他們說：「你們都要聽我的話，也要明白：從外面進去的，不能污穢人；惟有從裏面出來的，乃能污穢人。」（有古卷加：有耳可聽的，就應當聽！）耶穌離開眾人，進了屋子，門徒就問他這比喻的意思。耶穌對他們說：「你們也是這樣不明白嗎？豈不曉得凡從外面進入的，不能污穢人，因為不是入他的心，乃是入他的肚腹，又落到茅廁裏。這是說，各樣的食物都是潔淨的。」又說：「從人裏面出來的，那才能污穢人，因為從裏面，就是從人心裏發出惡念、苟合、偷盜、兇殺、姦淫、貪婪、邪惡、詭詐、淫蕩、嫉妒、謗讟、驕傲、狂妄。這一切的惡都是從裏面出來，且能污穢人。」」(馬可福音 7:14-23)

        耶穌說得很清楚，各樣的食物都是潔淨的，這是「因為不是入他的心，乃是入他的肚腹，又落到茅廁裏。…」(馬可福音 7:19) 祂又舉例說明，「…從人裏面出來的，那才能污穢人。」(馬可福音 7:20)這點實在非常清楚。所以保羅說，「我憑着主耶穌確知深信，凡物本來沒有不潔淨的；惟獨人以為不潔淨的，在他就不潔淨了。」(羅馬書 14:14) 又說，「其實食物不能叫神看中我們，因為我們不吃也無損，吃也無益。」(哥林多前書 8:8)

     這和下面這節經文有明顯的矛盾，「因為聖靈和我們定意不將別的重擔放在你們身上，惟有幾件事是不可少的，就是禁戒祭偶像的物和血，並勒死的牲畜和姦淫。這幾件你們若能自己禁戒不犯就好了。 願你們平安！」(使徒行傳 15:28-29) 這節經文是說有不能吃的。但聖經是神所默示的，我們看到這裏默示了明顯的矛盾，是要我們意識到這節經文是人說的，絕對不是從聖靈來的，因為聖靈的話絕對不會和耶穌所說的不合。經文是這麼說，「但保惠師，就是父因我的名所要差來的聖靈，他要將一切的事指教你們，並且要叫你們想起我對你們所說的一切話。」(約翰福音 14:26) 另方面仔細的看這經文，如果門徒百分之百的確定是從聖靈來的，祇要說「聖靈定意」就好，根本不必說「聖靈和我們定意」，所以他們也是就那時所暸解的，制定了這樣的律法。

        其實門徒也不是第一次這樣照那時所暸解的做錯誤決定，我們來看在五旬節之前發生的事情，在約有一百二十名弟兄的聚會中(參使徒行傳 1:15)，那時他們「…選舉兩個人，就是那叫做巴撒巴，又稱呼猶士都的約瑟和馬提亞。眾人就禱告說：「主啊，你知道萬人的心。求你從這兩個人中，指明你所揀選的是誰，叫他得這使徒的位分。這位分猶大已經丟棄，往自己的地方去了。」於是眾人為他們搖籤，搖出馬提亞來，他就和十一個使徒同列。」」(使徒行傳 1:23-26) 所以馬提亞是抽籤來的，並不是像其他 十一個使徒一樣，是耶穌這羔羊親自選的。有人會說，衆人禱告過啊! 是的，但新約沒有說這禱告被應許。禱告被應許會明說的，「基督在肉體的時候既大聲哀哭，流淚禱告，懇求那能救他免死的主，就因他的虔誠蒙了應允。」(希伯來書 5:7)

    反觀保羅，他是在大光中被復活後的耶穌親自揀選的(參使徒行傳 22:6-16)，所以保羅是羔羊的使徒，而馬提亞不是，在新耶路撒冷的「城牆有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。」(啓示錄 21:14) 保羅的名字在上面。

       請注意，馬可福音 7:16 是指有古卷加的那一段，「有耳可聽的，就應當聽！」不是每本新約的正文都有。其實沒有也沒關係，因為新約提到同樣的句子多次， 譬如其中之一就在馬太福音 11:15。

3.  遙治有信心的希臘婦人的小女兒

       「耶穌從那裏起身，往推羅、西頓的境內去。進了一家，不願意人知道，卻隱藏不住。當下，有一個婦人，她的小女兒被污鬼附着，聽見耶穌的事，就來俯伏在他腳前。這婦人是希臘人，屬敍利腓尼基族。她求耶穌趕出那鬼，離開她的女兒。耶穌對她說：「讓兒女們先吃飽，不好拿兒女的餅丟給狗吃。」婦人回答說：「主啊，不錯！但是狗在桌子底下也吃孩子們的碎渣兒。」耶穌對她說：「因這句話，你回去吧！鬼已經離開你的女兒了。」她就回家去，見小孩子躺在牀上，鬼已經出去了。」(馬可福音 7:24-30)

       我們又一次看到耶穌時間沒到的時候是採取低恣態，因為「耶穌從那裏起身，往推羅、西頓的境內去。進了一家，不願意人知道，卻隱藏不住。」(馬可福音 7:24) 我們也看到那外邦的婦人很有信心，相信耶穌可以遙遠治癒她那不在的小女兒，即使是她被比作狗，她的信心仍不減，耶穌因她的信心，就遙遠的趕出那在她小女兒身上的污鬼。她是真的相信祂的話，因此回家了，事後才証實果如耶穌所說的。

4. 治癒耳聾舌結的人

       「耶穌又離了推羅的境界，經過西頓，就從低加坡里境內來到加利利海。有人帶着一個耳聾舌結的人來見耶穌，求他按手在他身上。耶穌領他離開眾人，到一邊去，就用指頭探他的耳朵，吐唾沫抹他的舌頭，望天歎息，對他說：「以法大！」就是說：「開了吧！」他的耳朵就開了，舌結也解了，說話也清楚了。耶穌囑咐他們不要告訴人，但他越發囑咐，他們越發傳揚開了。眾人分外希奇，說：「他所做的事都好，他連聾子也叫他們聽見，啞巴也叫他們說話！」」(馬可福音 7:31-37)

       我們看到耶穌並沒有照所求的按手在那人身上，而是用自己的方式治癒了他。聖經沒有說衪為什麼選擇了這方法，猜不來的。我們也看到了衪有使污鬼聽衪的屬靈的權柄，但沒有屬世的權柄，可以支配他們。最後我們看到祂自己「…說：「你們去，把所看見所聽見的事告訴約翰，就是瞎子看見，瘸子行走，長大痲瘋的潔淨，聾子聽見，死人復活，窮人有福音傳給他們。」(路加福音 7:22) 使聾子聽見，啞巴說話，衹是祂工作的一小部份。

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

First, we looked at the two times Jesus experienced that prophets were not honored in their own country. Second, we mentioned Jesus sending out the twelve apostles, citing previous discussions. Third, here we see clearly record the views of Herod and the crowd, discussing a situation that seems to be obviously contradictory. Fourth, we discussed in detail the death of John the Baptist, and from his example of weakness, we know that even if we know that something is right, we can still fall due to human weakness. Fifth, we briefly described the results of Jesus sending out the twelve apostles. Sixth, on the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes, we also quoted previous discussions, in which we took a combination of the descriptions of the four gospels to restore the scene at that time. Finally, we cited our previous discussion of Jesus and Peter walking on the sea, and saw that after the woman with a hemorrhage touched the fringe of His cloak and was healed, the practice of touching the fringe of His cloak started.

1. Prophets are not honored in their hometown 

“Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching.”(Mark 6:1-6)

Although this passage tells us, “…A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.”(Mark 6:4), it also emphasizes the importance of faith. Matthew 13:53-58 essentially tells the same story. This is the second time in the Bible that Jesus was disapproved of in his hometown, which happened after His resurrecting Jairus’ daughter.

The first time was when He returned to the place where He grew up. Someone handed Him the book of the prophet Isaiah, and He spoke of “To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”(Luke 4:19) “And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” And He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’” And He said, “Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.”(Luke 4:22-24) This happened before the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter, as Luke clearly states, “And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house.”(Luke 8:41) Since the book of Luke is written “…in consecutive order, …”(Luke 1:3), we know that Jesus was not accepted in his home country on at least two occasions. No wonder John says, “For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.”(John 4:44)

From these passages, we can also see why Jesus was not accepted in his home country. His brothers and sisters and the people in his hometown thought they were very familiar with Him. From a human perspective, it was difficult for them to accept that Jesus was different from others. However, people in more distant places would notice what Jesus did.

2. Jesus sending out the twelve apostles

“And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff⁠—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt⁠— but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” They went out and preached that men should repent. And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.”(Mark 6:7-13)

The same incident is recorded in Luke 9:1-6 and Matthew 10:5-16. The record in the book of Luke is similar. We have previously discussed Luke in detail in “3. Jesus sent the twelve apostles” in “1056 Healing a hemorrhage woman, resurrecting a daughter, and sending the twelve -The image of Jesus (11)”. It mentions the book of Matthew and emphasizes that Jesus said in Matthew 10:16. The article says: “Please notice what Jesus said about in Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” It was when they were sent to unbelievers. Towards brothers and sisters in Christ, we should behave like what said in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Otherwise, one may be accustomed to be a snake and may become a snake without knowing by himself.” For those interested in this article, please visit the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click on “On spiritual understanding about life.”

3. Herod and the crowd viewpoint about Jesus and John the Baptist

“And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.” But others were saying, “He is Elijah.” And others were saying, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!” For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so; for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him.”(Mark 6:14-20)

This clearly records the opinions of Herod and the crowd. However, the same incident is only briefly described in Matthew 14:1-5, which says, “Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.”(Matthew 14:5) So there seems to be a clear contradiction here. Did Herod really want to kill him or not? Clearly, we can be sure that Herodias wanted to kill him, but Herod clearly did not fully obey her at the time. That is, “Herod had For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.”(Matthew 14:3) This is because he was afraid of the people, so he only imprisoned John. If Herod truly did not want to kill him, why would he have imprisoned him?

However, the book of Mark describes the interaction between Herod and John. At that time, Herod changed his mind but did not release him. Was it because he wanted to hear more of his speech, or did he not want to offend Herodias, or both? However, this sowed the seeds for the death of John the Baptist, which will be discussed in the next section. The book of Luke also briefly mentions this incident, saying, “So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people. But when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the wicked things which Herod had done, Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.”(Luke 3:18-20) “Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; …From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 4:12-17) He then began to call the apostles. (See Matthew 4:18-25) The Bible clearly states, “When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, …”(Luke 3:23)

4. The death of John the Baptist

“A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee; and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom.” And she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And although the king was very sorry, yet because of his oaths and because of his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb.”(Mark 6:21-29)

These verses clearly describe John the Baptist’s death. Matthew 14:6-12 essentially tells the same story, adding, “His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.”(Matthew 14:12) So Jesus also learned what He needed to know from others, which is a common occurrence for Christians.

John the Baptist must have been very clear about Jesus being the Son of God, for he testified, “John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.””(John 1:32-34) But he was also human, and after being in prison for a long time, he began to have doubts. For example, “Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?””(Matthew 11:2-3) “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.””(Matthew 11:4-6) The Bible does not record John stumbling again before his death. So even though we know clearly that something is right, we can still stumble due to human weakness. The Lord, knowing our weakness, has left us a way out: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) How can we not repent?

Some may ask, since John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus, couldn’t God have protected him from such a beheading and allowed him to live on earth? No, God’s view of death is very different from ours. Although “Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones.”(Psalm 116:15), when a person has fulfilled his mission, God will take him away. For example, in the Old Testament, there is the example of Moses, “Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day. Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.”(Deuteronomy 34:4-7) In the New Testament, Stephen was the first disciple to be martyred for the Lord, and the Lord stood to welcome him. (See Acts 7:54-60) The apostle Jacob was martyred for the Lord at a young age, but he was glorious. (See Acts 12:2; Luke 22:29-30; Revelation 21:14) Actually, if we must look at this from a positive perspective, John the Baptist lived and died, but he did not experience the typical illness and aging process. The point is, John the Baptist completed his mission, and God has absolute sovereignty in deciding how to take him away.

5. The results of Jesus’ sending out the twelve apostles

“The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.”(Mark 6:30-34).

What they did was “…they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.”(Luke 9:6). Upon their return, they reported the results to the Lord. Here we see how Jesus diligently preached the gospel during his three-plus years on earth and even more so, how compassionate he was. The book of Luke also describes the results of Jesus’ sending out the twelve apostles: “When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida.”(Luke 9:10). It was there that the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes occurred which will be discussed in the next section.

6. The miracle of the five loaves and two fishes

“When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?” And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish. There were five thousand men who ate the loaves.”(Mark 6:35-44) 

We have previously discussed this miracle in detail in “1. The miracle of five loaves and two fish” under “1118 Five loaves and two fish, calm wind in sea, and spiritual food – John (6) 1-33”. We quote from the article: “The miracle of the five loaves and two fishes is obviously a major miracle. It is found in all four Gospels. We must read the four Gospels together to restore the scene at that time. Now we will focus on the Gospel of John and refer to the other Gospels when needed. In other words, we take a union of descriptions from the four Gospels.” Please use the previous method to find this article.

7. Jesus and Peter walking on the sea

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened. When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was. Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe (G2899) of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.”(Mark 6:45-56)

Here, only Jesus’ walking on the sea is mentioned; Peter’s walking on the sea is mentioned only in the book of Matthew. Previously, in “1038 Walking on the sea with a testimony, and healing a born blind,” we discussed in detail the miracle of Jesus and Peter walking on the sea in “1. The miracle of walking on the sea: the fifth miracle in the book of the Gospel of John.” Please follow the previous method to find this article.

The second passage discusses the events in Gennesaret, where we see His mercy and grace. Here we come to the word fringe (G2899), which only appears five times, but the meaning is clear in this verse, “But they (the scribes and Pharisees) do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels (G2899) of their garments.”(Matthew 23:5) This is based on the Old Testament, “Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels (H6734)  on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel (H6734) of each corner a cord of blue.”(Numbers 15:38) This word H6734 only appears four times in the Strong’s Concordance. Its meaning is very clear, “It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.”(Numbers 15:39-40) The only application is in this verse, “He stretched out the form of a hand and caught me by a lock (H6734) of my head; …”(Ezekiel 8:3) We are not paying special attention to this word because it appears infrequently. Rather, we see that the New Testament uses this word after the woman with a hemorrhage touched the tassel of His garment and was healed (see Matthew 9:20-22). From then on, we have the phrase, “and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe (G2899) of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.”(Matthew 14:36). Someone said that the woman with a hemorrhage only touched the blue cord on the fringe (G2899), which seems reasonable, but the Bible refers to the fringe (G2899) of His cloak, so don’t speculate.

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

    首先我们来看耶稣经历过两次，先知在本地是没有人尊敬的。第二，我们提到了耶稣差遣十二使徒，引用了以前的讨论。第三，这里清楚的记载了希律和众人的看法，讨论了一个好像明显矛盾的情况。第四，我们详细讨论了施洗约翰之死，而且从他也会软弱的例子，就知道我们虽然明知道对的一件事，还是会因人的软弱而跌倒的。 第五，我们简短的叙述了耶稣差遣十二使徒的成果。第六，在五饼二鱼的神迹上，我们也引用了以前的讨论，在其中是取了四本福音书描述的联集，去还原当时的情景。最后，我们引用了以前耶稣和彼得在海上行走的讨论，也看到了血漏的女人摸了祂的衣裳䍁子而得到治愈之后，从此才有了摸著祂的衣裳䍁子就会都好了的事情。

1. 先知在本地是没有人尊敬的       

    「耶稣离开那里，来到自己的家乡，门徒也跟从他。到了安息日，他在会堂里教训人。 众人听见，就甚希奇，说：「这人从哪里有这些事呢？所赐给他的是甚么智慧？他手所做的是何等的异能呢？这不是那木匠吗？不是马利亚的儿子雅各、约西、犹大、西门的长兄吗？他妹妹们不也是在我们这里吗？」他们就厌弃他。耶稣对他们说：「大凡先知，除了本地亲属、本家之外，没有不被人尊敬的。」耶稣就在那里不得行甚么异能，不过按手在几个病人身上，治好他们。他也诧异他们不信，就往周围乡村教训人去了。」(马可福音 6:1-6)       

    这段经文虽然是告诉我们，「…大凡先知，除了本地亲属、本家之外，没有不被人尊敬的。」(马可福音 6:4)，也强调了信的重要。在马太福音 13:53-58 基本上是说同一件事，这是在复活睚鲁的女儿之后，是圣经记载的耶稣第二次在自己的家乡不被人悦纳的事。        

    第一次是当祂回长大的地方，有人把先知以赛亚的书交给衪，衪说到了「报告神悦纳人的禧年。」(路加福音 4:19) 「众人都称赞他，并希奇他口中所出的恩言。又说：「这不是约瑟的儿子吗？」耶稣对他们说：「你们必引这俗语向我说：『医生，你医治自己吧！我们听见你在迦百农所行的事，也当行在你自己家乡里。』」又说：「我实在告诉你们，没有先知在自己家乡被人悦纳的。」」(路加福音 4:22-24) 这是在复活睚鲁的女儿之前发生的事，因在路加福音明说，「有一个管会堂的，名叫睚鲁，来俯伏在耶稣脚前，求耶稣到他家里去。」(路加福音 8:41) 因路加福音写的方式是「…按著次序写…」(路加福音 1:3) 所以我们知道，至少有两次耶稣在家乡不被悦纳， 难怪约翰福音会说，「…耶稣自己作过见证说：「先知在本地是没有人尊敬的。」」 (约翰福音 4:44)        

    从这些经文我们也可以看到耶稣为什么没有在家乡被悦纳，因为弟兄姊妹和家乡的人自以为对耶稣非常熟习，从人的角度看，相当难接受耶稣于众不同，而在较远的地方中，人们会注意到耶稣所做的事。

2. 耶稣差遣十二使徒       

    「耶稣叫了十二个门徒来，差遣他们两个两个地出去，也赐给他们权柄，制伏污鬼，并且嘱咐他们：「行路的时候不要带食物和口袋，腰袋里也不要带钱，除了拐杖以外，甚么都不要带；只要穿鞋，也不要穿两件褂子。」又对他们说：「你们无论到何处，进了人的家，就住在那里，直到离开那地方。何处的人不接待你们，不听你们，你们离开那里的时候，就把脚上的尘土跺下去，对他们作见证。」门徒就出去传道，叫人悔改；又赶出许多的鬼，用油抹了许多病人，治好他们。」(马可福音 6:7-13)       

    同样的事情在路加福音 9:1-6 和马太福音 10:5-16 也都有记载。在路加福音的记载是类似的，以前在「2056 医血漏和睚鲁女儿复活，及差遣十二个门徒  -耶稣的形像(11)」 中的「3. 差遣十二个门徒」，我们详细讨论过路加福音。其中提到马太福音并强调耶稣说，「我差你们去，如同羊进入狼群，所以你们要灵巧像蛇，驯良像鸽子。」(马太福音 10:16) 在文章中是这样说: 这是差遣他们到不信主的人时说的话，对弟兄姊妹是要，『我赐给你们一条新命令，乃是叫你们彼此相爱；我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样相爱。你们若有彼此相爱的心，众人因此就认出你们是我的门徒了。』 (约翰福音 13:34-35) 要不习惯了像蛇，会有可能真正的变成了蛇而自己都不知道！对这篇文章有兴趣的人，请到网站『 https://a-christian-voice.com/』，按『对属灵生命的了解』。

3. 希律和众人看耶稣与施洗约翰       

    「耶稣的名声传扬出来。希律王听见了，就说：「施洗的约翰从死里复活了，所以这些异能由他里面发出来。」但别人说：「是以利亚。」 又有人说：「是先知，正像先知中的一位。」希律听见却说：「是我所斩的约翰，他复活了。」先是希律为他兄弟腓力的妻子希罗底的缘故，差人去拿住约翰，锁在监里，因为希律已经娶了那妇人。约翰曾对希律说：「你娶你兄弟的妻子是不合理的。」于是希罗底怀恨他，想要杀他，只是不能。因为希律知道约翰是义人，是圣人，所以敬畏他，保护他，听他讲论，就多照著行，并且乐意听他。」(马可福音 6:14-20)        

    这里清楚的记载了希律和众人的看法，而同样的一件事情，在马太福音 14:1-5 祇有简短的叙述，但说「希律就想要杀他，只是怕百姓，因为他们以约翰为先知。」(马太福音 14:5) 所以这里似乎是有明显的矛盾，到底希律想不要想杀他？很显然的，我们能确定希罗底想要杀他，但希律那时显然没有全听她的，也就是「起先希律为他兄弟腓力的妻子希罗底的缘故，把约翰拿住锁在监里。」(马太福音 14:3) 这是怕百姓，就只把约翰下了监，如果希律真不想杀他，怎么会将约翰下监呢？       

    但在马可福音叙述了希律和约翰的互动，那时希律就改变了主意，但并没有释放他，不知是想多听他讲论，或是不愿得罪希罗底，或是两者？不过这就种下了下节要讨论的施洗约翰之死的原因。       

    路加福音也简短的提到这事，是这样说的，「(施洗)约翰又用许多别的话劝百姓，向他们传福音。只是分封的王希律，因他兄弟之妻希罗底的缘故，并因他所行的一切恶事，受了约翰的责备，又另外添了一件，就是把约翰收在监里。」(路加福音 3:18-20) 「耶稣听见约翰下了监，就退到加利利去；…从那时候，耶稣就传起道来，说：「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」(马太福音 4:12-17) 其后开始了呼召使徒。 (参马太福音 4:18-25) 圣经说得很清楚，「耶稣开头传道，年纪约有三十岁。…」(路加福音 3:23)

4. 施洗约翰之死        

    「有一天，恰巧是希律的生日，希律摆设筵席，请了大臣和千夫长，并加利利作首领的。希罗底的女儿进来跳舞，使希律和同席的人都欢喜。 王就对女子说：「你随意向我求甚么，我必给你。」又对她起誓说：「随你向我求甚么，就是我国的一半，我也必给你！」她就出去对她母亲说：「我可以求甚么呢？」 她母亲说：「施洗约翰的头！」她就急忙进去见王，求他说：「我愿王立时把施洗约翰的头放在盘子里给我。」王就甚忧愁，但因他所起的誓，又因同席的人，就不肯推辞，随即差一个护卫兵，吩咐拿约翰的头来。护卫兵就去，在监里斩了约翰，把头放在盘子里，拿来给女子，女子就给她母亲。约翰的门徒听见了，就来把他的尸首领去，葬在坟墓里。」(马可福音 6:21-29)        

    这些经文清楚的描述了施洗约翰之死，在马太福音 14:6-12 基本上是说同一件事，加上了「约翰的门徒来，把尸首领去埋葬了，就去告诉耶稣。」(马太福音 14:12) 所以耶稣也会从人知道该知道的事，这对基督徒而言，也是常发生的事。       

    施洗约翰应是非常清楚耶稣是神的儿子，因他作见证说：「我曾看见圣灵仿佛鸽子从天降下，住在他的身上。我先前不认识他，只是那差我来用水施洗的，对我说：『你看见圣灵降下来，住在谁的身上，谁就是用圣灵施洗的。』我看见了，就证明这是神的儿子。」(约翰福音 1:32-34) 但他也是人，在监狱久了就会产生疑惑，就是「约翰在监里听见基督所做的事，就打发两个门徒去，问他说：「那将要来的是你吗？还是我们等候别人呢？」」(马太福音 11:2-3) 「耶稣回答说：「你们去，把所听见、所看见的事告诉约翰：就是瞎子看见，瘸子行走，长大痲疯的洁净，聋子听见，死人复活，穷人有福音传给他们。凡不因我跌倒的就有福了。」」(马太福音 11:4-6) 圣经没有记录约翰身前再跌倒过。        

    所以我们虽然明知道对的一件事，还是会因人的软弱而跌倒的，主知道我们的软弱就留给了我们一条后路，「我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。」(约翰一书 1:9) 怎么能不悔改呢？       

    可能有人会问，即然施洗约翰是耶稣的开路先锋，难道神不能保守他不遭到这样的杀头而活在世上吗？不是的，神看死亡是和人大不相同的。 虽是「在耶和华眼中，看圣民之死极为宝贵。」(诗篇 116:15)，但当一个人完成了他的使命，神会接他走的。譬如，在旧约有摩西的例子，「耶和华对他说：「这就是我向亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各起誓应许之地说：『我必将这地赐给你的后裔。』现在我使你眼睛看见了，你却不得过到那里去。」于是，耶和华的仆人摩西死在摩押地，正如耶和华所说的。耶和华将他埋葬在摩押地、伯毗珥对面的谷中，只是到今日没有人知道他的坟墓。摩西死的时候年一百二十岁。眼目没有昏花，精神没有衰败。」(申命记 34:4-7) 在新约，司提反是最早为主殉道的门徒，主是站著欢迎他的。(参使徒行传 7:54-60) 使徙雅各年轻时就为主殉道，却大有荣耀。(参使徒行传 12:2; 路加福音 22:29-30; 启示录 21:14) 其实如果一定要从正面来看这事，施洗约翰有生死，但没有经过一般人的病老过程。重点是，施洗约翰完成了他的使命，神有绝对的主权决定如何接他走。

5. 耶稣差遣十二使徒的成果       

    「使徒聚集到耶稣那里，将一切所做的事，所传的道全告诉他。他就说：「你们来，同我暗暗地到旷野地方去歇一歇。」这是因为来往的人多，他们连吃饭也没有工夫。他们就坐船，暗暗地往旷野地方去。众人看见他们去，有许多认识他们的，就从各城步行，一同跑到那里，比他们先赶到了。耶稣出来，见有许多的人，就怜悯他们，因为他们如同羊没有牧人一般，于是开口教训他们许多道理。」(马可福音 6:30-34)        

    他们所做的事就是「…走遍各乡宣传福音，到处治病。」(路加福音 9:6) 回来后就将结果报告给主听。在这里我们也看到，耶稣是如何的用祂那在地上的三年多时间，勤奋的做宣道的工作，更看到了祂的怜悯。路加福音也说到了耶稣差遣十二使徒的成果，「使徒回来，将所做的事告诉耶稣，耶稣就带他们暗暗地离开那里，往一座城去，那城名叫伯赛大。」(路加福音 9:10) 在那里就有了下节的五饼二鱼神迹。

6. 五饼二鱼的神迹       

    「天已经晚了，门徒进前来，说：「这是野地，天已经晚了，请叫众人散开，他们好往四面乡村里去，自己买甚么吃。」耶稣回答说：「你们给他们吃吧！」 门徒说：「我们可以去买二十两银子的饼，给他们吃吗？」耶稣说：「你们有多少饼，可以去看看。」 他们知道了，就说：「五个饼，两条鱼。」耶稣吩咐他们，叫众人一帮一帮地坐在青草地上。众人就一排一排地坐下，有一百一排的，有五十一排的。耶稣拿著这五个饼，两条鱼，望著天祝福，擘开饼，递给门徒，摆在众人面前，也把那两条鱼分给众人。他们都吃，并且吃饱了。门徒就把碎饼碎鱼收拾起来，装满了十二个篮子。吃饼的男人共有五千。」(马可福音 6:35-44)        

    以前我们在「2118 五饼二鱼, 平静风和海, 及灵粮 – 约(6)1-33」中的「1. 五饼二鱼的神迹」详细的讨论过这神迹，引用其中的话: 「五饼二鱼的神迹显然是一个主要的神迹，在四本福音书都有，我们必须四本福音书一起看才可能还原当时的情景，我们现在就以约翰福音为主而参考其他本的福音书，也就是要取四本福音书描述的联集。」请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。

7. 耶稣和彼得在海上行走       

    「耶稣随即催门徒上船，先渡到那边伯赛大去，等他叫众人散开。他既辞别了他们，就往山上去祷告。到了晚上，船在海中，耶稣独自在岸上，看见门徒因风不顺，摇橹甚苦。夜里约有四更天，就在海面上走，往他们那里去，意思要走过他们去。但门徒看见他在海面上走，以为是鬼怪，就喊叫起来。因为他们都看见了他，且甚惊慌。 耶稣连忙对他们说：「你们放心，是我，不要怕！」于是到他们那里上了船，风就住了，他们心里十分惊奇。这是因为他们不明白那分饼的事，心里还是愚顽。既渡过去，来到革尼撒勒地方，就靠了岸，一下船，众人认得是耶稣，就跑遍那一带地方，听见他在何处，便将有病的人用褥子抬到那里。凡耶稣所到的地方，或村中，或城里，或乡间，他们都将病人放在街市上，求耶稣只容他们摸他的衣裳䍁子(G2899)，凡摸著的人就都好了。」(马可福音 6:45-56)        

    在这里只说了耶稣在海上行走，在马太福音中才提到了彼得行在海上的事。以前我们在「2038 在海上走和相应的见证、及医治生来是瞎子的」中的「1. 在海面上行走的神迹: 约翰福音的第五个神迹」，我们详细的讨论过耶稣和彼得在海上行走的事，请按照以前的方法找到这篇文章。        

    第二段经文是说到了革尼撒勒地方发生的事，我们看到了祂的怜悯和恩典。在这里我们来看看䍁子(G2899)这个字，它只出现过五次，但意义在这节经文很明显，「他们(文士和法利赛人)一切所做的事都是要叫人看见，所以将佩戴的经文做宽了，衣裳的䍁子(G2899)做长了。」(马太福音 23:5) 这是基于旧约，「你吩咐以色列人，叫他们世世代代在衣服边上做䍁子(H6734)，又在底边的䍁子(H6734)上，钉一根蓝细带子。」(民数记 15:38) 这字H6734在汇编(Strong’s Concordance)中也祇出现了四次。它的意义非常清楚，「你们佩带这䍁子(H6734)，好叫你们看见就记念遵行耶和华一切的命令，不随从自己的心意、眼目行邪淫，像你们素常一样，使你们记念遵行我一切的命令，成为圣洁，归与你们的神。」(民数记 15:39-40) 唯一的应用就在这经文，「他伸出仿佛一只手的样式，抓住我的一绺(H6734)头发，灵就将我举到天地中间，…」(以西结书 8:3) 我们不是因为它出现不多而特别注意这字，而是看到了新约使用这字是在血漏的女人摸了祂的衣裳䍁子而得到治愈之后(参马太福音 9:20-22)，从此才有了，「只求耶稣准他们摸他的衣裳䍁子，摸著的人就都好了。」(马太福音 14:36) 有人说，血漏的妇人只摸到䍁子上的蓝细带子，好像是很合理，但圣经是说䍁子，就不要猜了。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

       首先我們來看耶穌經歷過兩次，先知在本地是沒有人尊敬的。第二，我們提到了耶穌差遣十二使徒，引用了以前的討論。第三，這裏清楚的記載了希律和衆人的看法，討論了一個好像明顯矛盾的情況。第四，我們詳細討論了施洗約翰之死，而且從他也會軟弱的例子，就知道我們雖然明知道對的一件事，還是會因人的軟弱而跌倒的。 第五，我們簡短的敍述了耶穌差遣十二使徒的成果。第六，在五餅二魚的神蹟上，我們也引用了以前的討論，在其中是取了四本福音書描述的聯集，去還原當時的情景。最後，我們引用了以前耶穌和彼得在海上行走的討論，也看到了血漏的女人摸了祂的衣裳繸子而得到治癒之後，從此才有了摸著祂的衣裳繸子就會都好了的事情。

1. 先知在本地是沒有人尊敬的

       「耶穌離開那裏，來到自己的家鄉，門徒也跟從他。到了安息日，他在會堂裏教訓人。 眾人聽見，就甚希奇，說：「這人從哪裏有這些事呢？所賜給他的是甚麼智慧？他手所做的是何等的異能呢？這不是那木匠嗎？不是馬利亞的兒子雅各、約西、猶大、西門的長兄嗎？他妹妹們不也是在我們這裏嗎？」他們就厭棄他。耶穌對他們說：「大凡先知，除了本地親屬、本家之外，沒有不被人尊敬的。」耶穌就在那裏不得行甚麼異能，不過按手在幾個病人身上，治好他們。他也詫異他們不信，就往周圍鄉村教訓人去了。」(馬可福音 6:1-6)

        這段經文雖然是告訴我們，「…大凡先知，除了本地親屬、本家之外，沒有不被人尊敬的。」(馬可福音 6:4)，也強調了信的重要。在馬太福音 13:53-58 基本上是說同一件事，這是在復活睚魯的女兒之後，是聖經記載的耶穌第二次在自己的家鄉不被人悅納的事。

        第一次是當祂回長大的地方，有人把先知以賽亞的書交給衪，衪說到了「報告神悅納人的禧年。」(路加福音 4:19) 「眾人都稱讚他，並希奇他口中所出的恩言。又說：「這不是約瑟的兒子嗎？」耶穌對他們說：「你們必引這俗語向我說：『醫生，你醫治自己吧！我們聽見你在迦百農所行的事，也當行在你自己家鄉裏。』」又說：「我實在告訴你們，沒有先知在自己家鄉被人悅納的。」」(路加福音 4:22-24) 這是在復活睚魯的女兒之前發生的事，因在路加福音明說，「有一個管會堂的，名叫睚魯，來俯伏在耶穌腳前，求耶穌到他家裏去。」(路加福音 8:41) 因路加福音寫的方式是「…按着次序寫…」(路加福音 1:3) 所以我們知道，至少有兩次耶穌在家鄉不被悅納， 難怪約翰福音會說，「…耶穌自己作過見證說：「先知在本地是沒有人尊敬的。」」 (約翰福音 4:44)

        從這些經文我們也可以看到耶穌為什麼沒有在家鄉被悅納，因為弟兄姊妹和家鄉的人自以為對耶穌非常熟習，從人的角度看，相當難接受耶穌於衆不同，而在較遠的地方中，人們會注意到耶穌所做的事。

2. 耶穌差遣十二使徒

       「耶穌叫了十二個門徒來，差遣他們兩個兩個地出去，也賜給他們權柄，制伏污鬼，並且囑咐他們：「行路的時候不要帶食物和口袋，腰袋裏也不要帶錢，除了枴杖以外，甚麼都不要帶；只要穿鞋，也不要穿兩件褂子。」又對他們說：「你們無論到何處，進了人的家，就住在那裏，直到離開那地方。何處的人不接待你們，不聽你們，你們離開那裏的時候，就把腳上的塵土跺下去，對他們作見證。」門徒就出去傳道，叫人悔改；又趕出許多的鬼，用油抹了許多病人，治好他們。」(馬可福音 6:7-13)

       同樣的事情在路加福音 9:1-6 和馬太福音 10:5-16 也都有記載。在路加福音的記載是類似的，以前在「2056 醫血漏和睚魯女兒復活，及差遣十二個門徒  -耶穌的形像(11)」 中的「3. 差遣十二個門徒」，我們詳細討論過路加福音。其中提到馬太福音並強調耶穌說，「我差你們去，如同羊進入狼羣，所以你們要靈巧像蛇，馴良像鴿子。」(馬太福音 10:16) 在文章中是這樣說: 這是差遣他們到不信主的人時說的話，對弟兄姊妹是要，『我賜給你們一條新命令，乃是叫你們彼此相愛；我怎樣愛你們，你們也要怎樣相愛。你們若有彼此相愛的心，眾人因此就認出你們是我的門徒了。』 (約翰福音 13:34-35) 要不習慣了像蛇，會有可能真正的變成了蛇而自己都不知道！對這篇文章有興趣的人，請到網站『 https://a-christian-voice.com/』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。

3. 希律和衆人看耶穌與施洗約翰

       「耶穌的名聲傳揚出來。希律王聽見了，就說：「施洗的約翰從死裏復活了，所以這些異能由他裏面發出來。」但別人說：「是以利亞。」 又有人說：「是先知，正像先知中的一位。」希律聽見卻說：「是我所斬的約翰，他復活了。」先是希律為他兄弟腓力的妻子希羅底的緣故，差人去拿住約翰，鎖在監裏，因為希律已經娶了那婦人。約翰曾對希律說：「你娶你兄弟的妻子是不合理的。」於是希羅底懷恨他，想要殺他，只是不能。因為希律知道約翰是義人，是聖人，所以敬畏他，保護他，聽他講論，就多照着行，並且樂意聽他。」(馬可福音 6:14-20)

        這裏清楚的記載了希律和衆人的看法，而同樣的一件事情，在馬太福音 14:1-5 祇有簡短的敍述，但說「希律就想要殺他，只是怕百姓，因為他們以約翰為先知。」(馬太福音 14:5) 所以這裏似乎是有明顯的矛盾，到底希律想不要想殺他？很顯然的，我們能確定希羅底想要殺他，但希律那時顯然沒有全聽她的，也就是「起先希律為他兄弟腓力的妻子希羅底的緣故，把約翰拿住鎖在監裏。」(馬太福音 14:3) 這是怕百姓，就衹把約翰下了監，如果希律真不想殺他，怎麼會將約翰下監呢？

        但在馬可福音敍述了希律和約翰的互動，那時希律就改變了主意，但並沒有釋放他，不知是想多聽他講論，或是不願得罪希羅底，或是兩者？不過這就種下了下節要討論的施洗約翰之死的原因。

        路加福音也簡短的提到這事，是這樣說的，「(施洗)約翰又用許多別的話勸百姓，向他們傳福音。只是分封的王希律，因他兄弟之妻希羅底的緣故，並因他所行的一切惡事，受了約翰的責備，又另外添了一件，就是把約翰收在監裏。」(路加福音 3:18-20) 「耶穌聽見約翰下了監，就退到加利利去；…從那時候，耶穌就傳起道來，說：「天國近了，你們應當悔改！」(馬太福音 4:12-17) 其後開始了呼召使徒。 (參馬太福音 4:18-25) 聖經說得很清楚，「耶穌開頭傳道，年紀約有三十歲。…」(路加福音 3:23)

4. 施洗約翰之死

        「有一天，恰巧是希律的生日，希律擺設筵席，請了大臣和千夫長，並加利利作首領的。希羅底的女兒進來跳舞，使希律和同席的人都歡喜。 王就對女子說：「你隨意向我求甚麼，我必給你。」又對她起誓說：「隨你向我求甚麼，就是我國的一半，我也必給你！」她就出去對她母親說：「我可以求甚麼呢？」 她母親說：「施洗約翰的頭！」她就急忙進去見王，求他說：「我願王立時把施洗約翰的頭放在盤子裏給我。」王就甚憂愁，但因他所起的誓，又因同席的人，就不肯推辭，隨即差一個護衞兵，吩咐拿約翰的頭來。護衞兵就去，在監裏斬了約翰，把頭放在盤子裏，拿來給女子，女子就給她母親。約翰的門徒聽見了，就來把他的屍首領去，葬在墳墓裏。」(馬可福音 6:21-29)

        這些經文清楚的描述了施洗約翰之死，在馬太福音 14:6-12 基本上是說同一件事，加上了「約翰的門徒來，把屍首領去埋葬了，就去告訴耶穌。」(馬太福音 14:12) 所以耶穌也會從人知道該知道的事，這對基督徒而言，也是常發生的事。

        施洗約翰應是非常清楚耶穌是神的兒子，因他作見證說：「我曾看見聖靈彷彿鴿子從天降下，住在他的身上。我先前不認識他，只是那差我來用水施洗的，對我說：『你看見聖靈降下來，住在誰的身上，誰就是用聖靈施洗的。』我看見了，就證明這是神的兒子。」(約翰福音 1:32-34) 但他也是人，在監獄久了就會產生疑惑，就是「約翰在監裏聽見基督所做的事，就打發兩個門徒去，問他說：「那將要來的是你嗎？還是我們等候別人呢？」」(馬太福音 11:2-3) 「耶穌回答說：「你們去，把所聽見、所看見的事告訴約翰：就是瞎子看見，瘸子行走，長大痲瘋的潔淨，聾子聽見，死人復活，窮人有福音傳給他們。凡不因我跌倒的就有福了。」」(馬太福音 11:4-6) 聖經沒有記錄約翰身前再跌倒過。

        所以我們雖然明知道對的一件事，還是會因人的軟弱而跌倒的，主知道我們的軟弱就留給了我們一條後路，「我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。」(約翰一書 1:9) 怎麼能不悔改呢？

        可能有人會問，即然施洗約翰是耶穌的開路先鋒，難道神不能保守他不遭到這樣的殺頭而活在世上嗎？不是的，神看死亡是和人大不相同的。 雖是「在耶和華眼中，看聖民之死極為寶貴。」(詩篇 116:15)，但當一個人完成了他的使命，神會接他走的。譬如，在舊約有摩西的例子，「耶和華對他說：「這就是我向亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各起誓應許之地說：『我必將這地賜給你的後裔。』現在我使你眼睛看見了，你卻不得過到那裏去。」於是，耶和華的僕人摩西死在摩押地，正如耶和華所說的。耶和華將他埋葬在摩押地、伯毗珥對面的谷中，只是到今日沒有人知道他的墳墓。摩西死的時候年一百二十歲。眼目沒有昏花，精神沒有衰敗。」(申命記 34:4-7) 在新約，司提反是最早為主殉道的門徒，主是站著歡迎他的。(參使徒行傳 7:54-60) 使徙雅各年輕時就為主殉道，卻大有榮耀。(參使徒行傳 12:2; 路加福音 22:29-30; 啓示錄 21:14) 其實如果一定要從正面來看這事，施洗約翰有生死，但沒有經過一般人的病老過程。重點是，施洗約翰完成了他的使命，神有絕對的主權決定如何接他走。

5. 耶穌差遣十二使徒的成果

       「使徒聚集到耶穌那裏，將一切所做的事，所傳的道全告訴他。他就說：「你們來，同我暗暗地到曠野地方去歇一歇。」這是因為來往的人多，他們連吃飯也沒有工夫。他們就坐船，暗暗地往曠野地方去。眾人看見他們去，有許多認識他們的，就從各城步行，一同跑到那裏，比他們先趕到了。耶穌出來，見有許多的人，就憐憫他們，因為他們如同羊沒有牧人一般，於是開口教訓他們許多道理。」(馬可福音 6:30-34)

        他們所做的事就是「…走遍各鄉宣傳福音，到處治病。」(路加福音 9:6) 回來後就將結果報告給主聽。在這裏我們也看到，耶穌是如何的用祂那在地上的三年多時間，勤奮的做宣道的工作，更看到了祂的憐憫。路加福音也說到了耶穌差遣十二使徒的成果，「使徒回來，將所做的事告訴耶穌，耶穌就帶他們暗暗地離開那裏，往一座城去，那城名叫伯賽大。」(路加福音 9:10) 在那裏就有了下節的五餅二魚神蹟。

6. 五餅二魚的神蹟

       「天已經晚了，門徒進前來，說：「這是野地，天已經晚了，請叫眾人散開，他們好往四面鄉村裏去，自己買甚麼吃。」耶穌回答說：「你們給他們吃吧！」 門徒說：「我們可以去買二十兩銀子的餅，給他們吃嗎？」耶穌說：「你們有多少餅，可以去看看。」 他們知道了，就說：「五個餅，兩條魚。」耶穌吩咐他們，叫眾人一幫一幫地坐在青草地上。眾人就一排一排地坐下，有一百一排的，有五十一排的。耶穌拿着這五個餅，兩條魚，望着天祝福，擘開餅，遞給門徒，擺在眾人面前，也把那兩條魚分給眾人。他們都吃，並且吃飽了。門徒就把碎餅碎魚收拾起來，裝滿了十二個籃子。吃餅的男人共有五千。」(馬可福音 6:35-44)

        以前我們在「2118 五餅二魚, 平靜風和海, 及靈糧 – 約(6)1-33」中的「1. 五餅二魚的神蹟」詳細的討論過這神蹟，引用其中的話: 「五餅二魚的神蹟顯然是一個主要的神蹟，在四本福音書都有，我們必須四本福音書一起看才可能還原當時的情景，我們現在就以約翰福音為主而參考其他本的福音書，也就是要取四本福音書描述的聯集。」請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

 7. 耶穌和彼得在海上行走

       「耶穌隨即催門徒上船，先渡到那邊伯賽大去，等他叫眾人散開。他既辭別了他們，就往山上去禱告。到了晚上，船在海中，耶穌獨自在岸上，看見門徒因風不順，搖櫓甚苦。夜裏約有四更天，就在海面上走，往他們那裏去，意思要走過他們去。但門徒看見他在海面上走，以為是鬼怪，就喊叫起來。因為他們都看見了他，且甚驚慌。 耶穌連忙對他們說：「你們放心，是我，不要怕！」於是到他們那裏上了船，風就住了，他們心裏十分驚奇。這是因為他們不明白那分餅的事，心裏還是愚頑。既渡過去，來到革尼撒勒地方，就靠了岸，一下船，眾人認得是耶穌，就跑遍那一帶地方，聽見他在何處，便將有病的人用褥子抬到那裏。凡耶穌所到的地方，或村中，或城裏，或鄉間，他們都將病人放在街市上，求耶穌只容他們摸他的衣裳繸子(G2899)，凡摸着的人就都好了。」(馬可福音 6:45-56)

        在這裏衹說了耶穌在海上行走，在馬太福音中才提到了彼得行在海上的事。以前我們在「2038 在海上走和相應的見証、及醫治生來是瞎子的」中的「1. 在海面上行走的神蹟: 約翰福音的第五個神蹟」，我們詳細的討論過耶穌和彼得在海上行走的事，請按照以前的方法找到這篇文章。

        第二段經文是說到了革尼撒勒地方發生的事，我們看到了祂的憐憫和恩典。在這裏我們來看看繸子(G2899)這個字，它衹出現過五次，但意義在這節經文很明顯，「他們(文士和法利賽人)一切所做的事都是要叫人看見，所以將佩戴的經文做寬了，衣裳的繸子(G2899)做長了。」(馬太福音 23:5) 這是基於舊約，「你吩咐以色列人，叫他們世世代代在衣服邊上做繸子(H6734)，又在底邊的繸子(H6734)上，釘一根藍細帶子。」(民數記 15:38) 這字H6734在彙編(Strong’s Concordance)中也祇出現了四次。它的意義非常清楚，「你們佩帶這繸子(H6734)，好叫你們看見就記念遵行耶和華一切的命令，不隨從自己的心意、眼目行邪淫，像你們素常一樣，使你們記念遵行我一切的命令，成為聖潔，歸與你們的神。」(民數記 15:39-40) 唯一的應用就在這經文，「他伸出彷彿一隻手的樣式，抓住我的一綹(H6734)頭髮，靈就將我舉到天地中間，…」(以西結書 8:3) 我們不是因為它出現不多而特別注意這字，而是看到了新約使用這字是在血漏的女人摸了祂的衣裳繸子而得到治癒之後(參馬太福音 9:20-22)，從此才有了，「只求耶穌准他們摸他的衣裳繸子，摸着的人就都好了。」(馬太福音 14:36) 有人說，血漏的婦人衹摸到繸子上的藍細帶子，好像是很合理，但聖經是說繸子，就不要猜了。

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

This article is an expansion of a sharing session at a Fellowship last Saturday (8/23/25). It combines the material presented with subsequent insights. This article proposes a method that everyone can follow. As long as we persevere and trust in the absolute sovereignty of the Triune God, He will, at the most opportune time, allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in Bible study. This will fundamentally transform our lives, ultimately leading us to have life and becoming fully conformed to the image of Jesus. We can be certain of this because it is the Bible’s promise.

First, we know that the purpose of Bible study is to have life. This is what the Lord Jesus Himself said: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:39-40). Life can only come from the Triune God. Paul made this point very clear: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.”(1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Therefore, today, only “Holy Spirit-led Bible study” can “have life.” Although many believe that Bible study by this way “regularly” is impossible, I know it is absolutely possible, because it is a promise in the Bible. It simply does not specify when the Holy Spirit will begin to lead our Bible study. In this and other biblical promises, He is absolutely sovereign, for He fully determines the time of initiation. (Note 1)

We know that the Holy Spirit leads us by opening our eyes. This opening can be a direct work of God, such as Paul’s seeing the great light in the New Testament (see Acts 9:1-9), or it can be through the words of others. For example, after Paul saw the great light, God sent Ananias to tell him something (see Acts 9:10-18). Thus, not all revelation have to be supernatural. In fact, we must have a hearing ear, as said to all seven churches in the book of Revelation (see Revelation 2:1-3:22). There are many such opening-eye examples in the Old Testament as well. (Note 2)

Now let us introduce a method for retaining the words of the Bible in our hearts. The method is simple and can be practiced by anyone who truly desires. Start by reading from the first page of the book of Matthew in the New Testament and continue in sequence to the last page of the book of Revelation. Then, continue to the first page of the book of Genesis in the Old Testament and continue in sequence to the last page of the book of Malachi. This is one reading. Repeat in this manner.

The purpose of this kind of Bible reading is to retain the Bible’s words in your heart. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand something; just read through it. This is better than misinterpreting the Bible, because even if a misinterpretation can be corrected, it takes a lot of time. Each time you read the Bible, you can pray to God to forget past mistakes, starting from scratch each day and building upon past correct readings. In other words, those who are less tainted by false teachings will find this approach easier, and this may be more common with new believers. Because of the repetition, you can certainly start with the Old Testament and then move on to the New Testament. However, for those who haven’t read the Bible once, the New Testament is much easier to read, so starting with the New Testament is recommended.

If you are willing to spend about an hour daily reading the Bible this way, and if you’re guided by the Holy Spirit (unconsciously) from time to time, like the pillar of cloud and fire during the Exodus, you can read the Bible about three times a year. However, remember that committing to an hour daily is not easy. You can start with fifteen minutes and gradually increase to an hour, and of course, more than an hour is also acceptable. Never, just because you know you can read the Bible three times a year, divide the number of chapters you should read in three years by three and then decide to read a fixed number of chapters every day, thus allowing you to read the Bible three times a year. This is a kind of Law-like, self-imposed reading, and it lacks the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

It is crucial to retain the words of the Bible in your heart. If the Holy Spirit leads us through the words of the Bible, but we are completely unaware of such words, then all this is in vain. Don’t say the Holy Spirit won’t do this because we don’t know whether He wants to teach us the importance of retaining the words of the Bible.

It is important to emphasize that when we willingly read the Bible in this way, Satan’s servants will not let us off. The closer we draw to God, the more temptations we will face. (Note 3) In this process, you may discover that simply listening isn’t enough; reading is essential. Remember, the ultimate goal of this kind of Bible reading is to “let the Holy Spirit lead you in Bible study” and thus “have life.” If someone tells you it takes at least three years, that’s encouragement. If you see success in five years, be happy. Ten years isn’t much; it may take twenty years or more. (Note 4)

Finally, I want to thank those who sometimes ask me if I want to share. I wonder if you noticed my last answer: “I don’t want to share today.” This is obedience to God. If I said I didn’t think about sharing, I would be lying, acknowledging Satan as my father, because the Bible clearly states, “…the devil (Satan) …Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44). Why is it a lie? Because I hear some discussions that are inconsistent with the Bible, and especially in the translation of the Union Version which is used in the Fellowship. Because they conflict with “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent,” and thus there are obvious errors, so I really think about sharing. However, based on my past experience with everyone’s reactions, I know that sharing is futile, so it’s better not to say anything. (Note 5) This may be the work of Satan’s servants, or it may be due to a failure to have ears that can hear, as told to all seven churches in the book of Revelation, or both.

I will from now on not share during Bible study for a few years. Please do not ask me if I want to share during these years. This will prevent Satan’s servants from telling me, “Look, God wants you to speak again,” and increase my exposure to temptation. Previously, due to incorrect teaching in another Fellowship, I didn’t speak a word during Bible study for several years. I only spoke during group prayer and the period of afterward snacks. By not sharing during Bible study this time, I am obeying God. I hope I can learn to control my tongue. I won’t share something in vain just because Satan’s servants tell me it will benefit the Fellowship, thereby offering myself up and giving Satan’s servants an opportunity to attack me. You may be happy that you won’t have to hear obvious errors that conflict with your teachings during Bible study for a few years, or you may think that although God is patient, He has issued a warning of “let it be.” (Note 6) I just hope you will make the right decision.

Some might ask, since I don’t talk during Bible study, what’s the point of attending Fellowship? Isn’t it just observing the Law, “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”(Hebrews 10:25). This is completely wrong, because I am very busy in Bible study even without sharing. It is due to the fact that I never know when the Holy Spirit will speak through the Scripture or through the mouths of others. “Others” doesn’t just refer to brothers and sisters, but also includes non-believing gospel friends. For example, when a gospel friend asks a question, I think about what the Bible teaches on that issue. Isn’t sharing in group prayer and afterwards refreshments also about encouraging one another? Therefore, I’ll happily attend the weekly meetings as much as possible.

Notes

Note 1: We discussed this promise in detail in the topicwise Bible study “1152 A Practical Method to Have Life,” and shared the link with the Fellowship on August 19, 2025: https://a-christian-voice.com/2025/07/30/1152-a-practical-method-to-have-life-by-whirlwind/. Other promises, such as a prayer with importunity (G335) allows for one time filling with the Holy Spirit, but also do not specify a timeframe. (See Luke 11:5-13)

Note 2: For example, “Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”(2 Kings 6:17). For a partial description of the entire incident, please refer to 2 Kings 6:8-17. Another example, “Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground.”(Numbers 22:31). For a partial description of the entire incident, please refer to Numbers 22:1-35.

Note 3: Christians are servants of the Lord Jesus. Let us first look at how Satan treated the Lord. When Jesus was tempted by the devil (Satan) forty days after His baptism, “When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.”(Luke 4:13). At that time, he only left Him temporarily. Later, He “…has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15). The Bible clearly states, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.”(Matthew 10:24). How can we not face more temptations as we get closer to God? But God will protect us in the midst of temptation. The Bible clearly states, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13)

Note 4: After Paul saw great light, he spent some time to receive revelations. Someone says that he spent about three years in the wilderness although Bible does not clearly say so. We definitely are not better than Paul and from my experience three years are not enough. Moses lived for 120 years, the first 40 years of which he spent in the royal palace in Egypt, and the middle 40 years as a shepherd. By the time he was called, he was already slow of speech and slow of tongue(see Exodus 4:10). After 40 years of shepherding, he would have long forgotten what he had learned in Egypt. It was only during the last 40 years that God called him out to do God’s work. Therefore, the Bible mentions that the person who was the longest in God’s training school was Moses, who was in it for 40 years. We also see that slow work produces fine results, but we won’t be in that situation for that long. It takes us shorter time since we don’t have that much time, thus there’s no need to worry. By the way, God will restore forgotten but necessary knowledge when needed. Didn’t Moses later wrote the Pentateuch?

Note 5: I wouldn’t have reached this conclusion if I hadn’t conducted numerous tests. For example, you’ve seen me mention the original texts used in Strong’s Concordance during Bible studies. People don’t seem to care what the Bible says; they just accept what they believe it says. It’s not that asking questions is wrong; it’s a matter of mindset. Human free will can lead to disregard for facts. Let me give you an example where many people fail to see the errors in the Union Version translation. The Union Version translates John 4:23 this way: “…the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and honesty (G225); …” This word G225 appears 110 times, 25 of which are in the book of John. Its meaning can be seen in this typical verse: “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth (G225) were realized through Jesus Christ.(John 1:17). How could anyone insist on translating this word as “honesty”? In fact, considering that “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent,” it’s abundantly clear. If someone honestly tells you they worship other gods than Jehovah, would God want such an honest person to worship Him? This is exactly what happened when Peter and John said to them, “…Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge.”(Acts 4:19). Of course there is no problem in English translation this time since it is clearly translated as “…the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; …”(John 4:23) I merely use this example to show that people have free will and can decide whatever they want even by discarding facts.

Note 6: It seems some people are unclear about the concept of “let it be,” so let’s use a real-life example to illustrate. Churches with a prosperity philosophy teach that as long as you believe in the Lord, everything will be prosperous. This teaching is accepted by many, but it is clearly inconsistent with the Bible. The Bible says, “…In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33) God “allows” such a tare-like church to grow. It is clearly stated in this verse, “But he said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”(Matthew 13:29-30) For a description of the entire incident, please see Matthew 13:24-30.

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

    这是基于上周六(8/23/25)在一个团契分享后而扩展的文章，就是分享的材料加上事后所得的。这文章提出一个每个人都可以做的方法，只要坚持下去，相信三位一体的神有绝对的主权，祂会在祂选的最适当的时间，让圣灵带领我们查经，使生命会从本质上有所改变，也就是得到生命，直到完全的模成耶稣的形像，我们会这么确定，因为这是圣经的应许。           

    首先，我们知道查经的目的是要得生命，这是主耶稣自己说的，「你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我作见证的就是这经。然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。」(约翰福音 5:39-40) 而生命只能从三位一体的神来，在这点上，保罗说得很清楚，「我栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，惟有神叫他生长。可见栽种的算不得甚么，浇灌的也算不得甚么，只在那叫他生长的神。」(哥林多前书 3:6-7) 所以现今只有「圣灵带领查经」才能「得生命」。虽然许多人都认为「经常」是不可能的，但我知道是绝对可行的，因为这是圣经的应许，只是没有说圣灵会什么时候开始带领我们查经，在这或其他圣经的应许上，祂都有绝对的主权，因祂全权决定了开始的时间。(注一)

    我们知道圣灵会借著开我们的眼睛来带领我们，开眼睛这事可以是神直接的工作，譬如在新约中的保罗见大光(参使徒行传 9:1-9)，也有可以经过别人所说的话，譬如保罗见大光后，神是差亚拿尼亚告诉他一些事情(参使行传 9:10-18)，并不是全部要超自然的才可以，要有一个能听的耳， 这就是对启示录中所有七个教会所说的(参启示录 2:1-3:22)。在旧约中也有许多这样的例子。(注二)          

    我们现在就介绍一个可以把圣经的话语存在心中的方法，方法很简单，每一个真实愿意的人都可以做。就是从新约的马太福音的第一页开始读，顺序读下去直到新约的启示录的最后一页，然后接著就是旧约的创世记第一页，顺序下去直到旧约的玛拉基书的最后一页，这是一遍。以后就是这样的重复。           

    这样读经的目的，是要把圣经的话语存在心中，所以看不懂没有关系，看过去就好，这会好于强解(曲解)圣经，因为即使曲解能被更正的话，也会要非常花时间。每一次读经都可以求神要我们忘记以前的读经错误，每天从零开始，累积加到过去对的读经上。换句话说，被错误的教导玷污愈少的人，愈容易如此读经，所以可能是初信者更容易这样读经。因为是重复，当然可以从旧约开始，然后到新约，祇是对没有读过圣经一遍的人，新约比旧约容易读得多，所以建议从新约开始。           

    如果愿意每天花一小时左右去把圣经看过去，加上何时会停会有(不自知的)圣灵带领，犹如出埃及时有云柱和火柱的带领般，可以每年读圣经约三次。但要知道，一下子要每天花一小时很不容易，可以从十五分钟开始，慢慢增加到一个小时，当然超过一小时也可以。绝对不要因为知道一年可以读三次，就把三年该读的章节除以三，然后决定每天读固定的章节，因此一年可以读三次，这是律法似的强迫自己读经，不会有圣灵的带领的。          

    把圣经的话语存在心中是非常重要的，因为如果圣灵用圣经的话语引导我们，而我们里面根本不知道圣经有这样的话语，这岂不是枉然。不要说圣灵不会这样做，因为我们不知道祂是否要告诉我们，把圣经的话语存在里面的重要性。           

    要强调的一点是，当我们甘心情愿的这样读经时，撒但的差役不会放过我们的，当我们愈接近神时，我们会经过愈多的试探。(注三) 在这样的过程中，你可能会发觉，只是用听的不行，一般人一定要用看的才可以，因为看和听在身体上的机置是很不相同的。请记住，这样读经的终极目的是要「让圣灵带领查经」而「得生命」。如果有人告诉你最少要三年，那是鼓励你。如果五年有成，就该高兴，十年不算多，可能要花二十年或更多的时间才行。(注四)           

    最后是要谢谢有人有时会问我要不要分享，不知道你们有没有注意我最后一次的回答，「今天我不要分享」，这是在顺服神。如果我说不想分享，是在说谎，这就是在认撒但为父，因为圣经明说，「…魔鬼(撤但)…说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。」(约翰福音 8:44) 为什么是说谎呢？因为听到和圣经不合的地方，尤其是在和合本的翻译中，因和「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」相冲突，有明显错误的地方，所以实在很想分享 ! 但是由于我过去看大家反应的经验，知道分享也是枉然，不如不说。(注五) 这或是出自撒但的差役的工作，或是出自没有对启示录七个教会都说的要有能听的耳，或是两者都有。           

    以后我会有几年的时间在查经时不会分享，所以请这几年不要再问我要不要分享，这会不让撒但的差役有机会在意念中告诉我说，你看神又要你发言了，增加我受试探的机会。以前我在另一个团契因为错误的教导，有几年在查经的时候一句话都没有说，只在分组祷告和事后茶点和人交通时说过话。这次在查经中不分享是在顺服神，希望能学会控制自己的舌头，不要因为撒但的差役告诉我，分享某些事对团契有益就分享了枉然分享的事，以致于把自己摆上而却让撒但的差役有个攻击的机会。对于我在查经时有几年不会分享的这件事，你可能会很高兴的认为不必再听到和你教导不合的明显错误，或是认为虽然神很有耐心，但发出了「任凭」的警告(注六)，祗希望你能做出一个正确的抉择。          

    有人可能会问，既然查经时都不说话，那去参加团契有什么意义，不就是守律法的去遵守，「你们不可停止聚会，好像那些停止惯了的人，倒要彼此劝勉。既知道那日子临近，就更当如此。」(希伯来书 10:25) 这是大不对的，因为查经时可是忙著呢，不知道圣灵什么时候就借著经文或别人的口说话了，别人不祇是指弟兄姊妹，也包括了不信主的福音朋友。譬如说，福音朋友在问某些问题时，我会想到圣经在这问题上是如何教导的。在分组祷告和事后茶点的和别人交通，不就是彼此劝勉吗？所以我会高高兴兴的尽可能的参加每周的聚会。

注解

注一: 在专题查经的「3152 一个得生命的实际可行方法」，我们详细的讨论过这应许，已在8/19/25转送给团契了其链接: https://a-christian-voice.com/2025/07/30/3152-%e4%b8%80%e4%b8%aa%e5%be%97%e7%94%9f%e5%91%bd%e7%9a%84%e5%ae%9e%e9%99%85%e5%8f%af%e8%a1%8c%e6%96%b9%e6%b3%95-%e6%97%8b%e9%a3%8e%e8%91%97/。其他应许如只要情词迫切地直求(厚脸皮的求 , importunity, G335) ，就能一次性的被圣灵充满，也是没有说时间。(参路加福音 11:5-13)

注二:  譬如，「以利沙祷告说：「耶和华啊，求你开这少年人的眼目，使他能看见。」耶和华开他的眼目，他就看见满山有火车火马围绕以利沙。」(列王纪下 6:17) 对整件事情的描述，请参考列王纪下 6:8-17。又如，「 当时，耶和华使巴兰的眼目明亮，他就看见耶和华的使者站在路上，手里有拔出来的刀，巴兰便低头俯伏在地。」(民数记 22:31) 对整件事情的部份描述，请参考民数记 22:1-35。

注三:  基督徒是主耶稣的仆人，我们就先看看撒但如何对待主，在耶稣受洗后四十天受魔鬼(撒但)的试探时，「魔鬼用完了各样的试探，就暂时离开耶稣。」(路加福音 4:13) 那时祇是暂时离开而已，后来则是，祂「…凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。」(希伯来书 4:15) 圣经明说，「学生不能高过先生，仆人不能高过主人。」(马太福音 10:24) 我们怎么会在愈接近神时，不会经过愈多的试探呢？但试探中神会保守我们，圣经明说，「你们所遇见的试探，无非是人所能受的。神是信实的，必不叫你们受试探过于所能受的。在受试探的时候，总要给你们开一条出路，叫你们能忍受得住。」(哥林多前书 10:13)

注四:  保罗在见过大光后，他花了一些时间得到启示，他说，「弟兄们，我告诉你们，我素来所传的福音，不是出于人的意思，因为我不是从人领受的，也不是人教导我的，乃是从耶稣基督启示来的。」(加拉太书 1:11-12) 而启示不是一天就可以得到的，而是慢慢累积的。虽然圣经没有明讲，有人说他得到启示也要在旷野待约三年，我们不会比保罗更强的，而且我自己的经验告诉我，三年是不够的。再看，摩西活了一百二十岁，前四十年是在埃及的王宫生活，中间四十年在牧羊，在他被呼召的时候，已是拙口笨舌的 (参出埃及记 4:10) ， 牧羊四十年该早已忘了在埃及所学的，最后的四十年才被神呼召出来做神的工作，所以圣经提到被制作最久的人是摩西，有四十年。我们也看到了虽然慢功出细活，但我们不会这么久，有这么多时间的，不必担心。顺便一提的是，神会在需要的时候，会还给我们忘掉但有需要的知识，摩西后来不是写了摩西五经吗？

注五: 我如果不是测试过非常多次，不会得到这样的结论的。这其中包括了你们过去有时会看到我在查经时，提到工具书的原文，大家好像不在乎圣经怎么讲，只要我认为圣经怎么讲就可以了。不是不可以问问题，这是心态的问题，因为人有自由意志，会造成罔顾事实，我现在就举一个相当多人没有看到和合本翻译错误的例子。和合本是这样翻译的，「…那真正拜父的，要用心灵和诚实(G225, truth)拜他，…」(约翰福音 4:23) 这个字 G225 出现了110 次，在约翰福音就出现了25次，它的意义可以从这典型的经文看到，「律法本是借著摩西传的，恩典和真理(G225)都是由耶稣基督来的。」(约翰福音 1:17) 怎么会有人坚持可以把这个字翻译成诚实呢！ 其实从「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」来看，就非常清楚。如果一个人诚实的告诉你说，我敬拜的是别神而不是耶和华，神会要这样的诚实的人拜祂吗？其实这就是「彼得、约翰说：「听从你们，不听从神，这在神面前合理不合理，你们自己酌量吧！」(使徒行传 4:19)

注六: 好像有些人对「任凭」的概念不清楚，所以我们就举一个现实的例子来说明。成功哲学的教会说，只要信主，一切都顺利，这样的教导为许多人接受，但显然不符合圣经，圣经是说，「…在世上你们有苦难，但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界。」(约翰福音 16:33) 神就「任凭」这样稗子似的教会发展，也就是，「主人说：『不必，恐怕薅稗子，连麦子也拔出来。容这两样一齐长，等著收割。当收割的时候，我要对收割的人说：先将稗子薅出来，捆成捆，留著烧；惟有麦子要收在仓里。』」(马太福音 13:29-30) 对整件事情的描述，请看马太福音 13:24-30。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

          這是基於上週六(8/23/25)在一個團契分享後而擴展的文章，就是分享的材料加上事後所得的。這文章提出一個每個人都可以做的方法，衹要堅持下去，相信三位一體的神有絕對的主權，祂會在祂選的最適當的時間，讓聖靈帶領我們查經，使生命會從本質上有所改變，也就是得到生命，直到完全的模成耶穌的形像，我們會這麼確定，因為這是聖經的應許。

           首先，我們知道查經的目的是要得生命，這是主耶穌自己說的，「你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生；給我作見證的就是這經。然而你們不肯到我這裏來得生命。」(約翰福音 5:39-40) 而生命衹能從三位一體的神來，在這點上，保羅說得很清楚，「我栽種了，亞波羅澆灌了，惟有神叫他生長。可見栽種的算不得甚麼，澆灌的也算不得甚麼，只在那叫他生長的神。」(哥林多前書 3:6-7) 所以現今衹有「聖靈帶領查經」才能「得生命」。雖然許多人都認為「經常」是不可能的，但我知道是絕對可行的，因為這是聖經的應許，衹是沒有說聖靈會什麼時候開始帶領我們查經，在這或其他聖經的應許上，祂都有絕對的主權，因祂全權決定了開始的時間。(註一)

           我們知道聖靈會藉著開我們的眼睛來帶領我們，開眼睛這事可以是神直接的工作，譬如在新約中的保羅見大光(參使徒行傳 9:1-9)，也有可以經過別人所說的話，譬如保羅見大光後，神是差亞拿尼亞告訴他一些事情(參使行傳 9:10-18)，並不是全部要超自然的才可以，要有一個能聽的耳， 這就是對啓示錄中所有七個教會所說的(參啓示錄 2:1-3:22)。在舊約中也有許多這樣的例子。(註二)

          我們現在就介紹一個可以把聖經的話語存在心中的方法，方法很簡單，每一個真實願意的人都可以做。就是從新約的馬太福音的第一頁開始讀，順序讀下去直到新約的啓示錄的最後一頁，然後接著就是舊約的創世記第一頁，順序下去直到舊約的瑪拉基書的最後一頁，這是一遍。以後就是這樣的重複。

           這樣讀經的目的，是要把聖經的話語存在心中，所以看不懂沒有關係，看過去就好，這會好於強解(曲解)聖經，因為即使曲解能被更正的話，也會要非常花時間。每一次讀經都可以求神要我們忘記以前的讀經錯誤，每天從零開始，累積加到過去對的讀經上。換句話說，被錯誤的教導玷汚愈少的人，愈容易如此讀經，所以可能是初信者更容易這樣讀經。因為是重複，當然可以從舊約開始，然後到新約，祇是對沒有讀過聖經一遍的人，新約比舊約容易讀得多，所以建議從新約開始。

           如果願意每天花一小時左右去把聖經看過去，加上何時會停會有(不自知的)聖靈帶領，猶如出埃及時有雲柱和火柱的帶領般，可以每年讀聖經約三次。但要知道，一下子要每天花一小時很不容易，可以從十五分鐘開始，慢慢增加到一個小時，當然超過一小時也可以。絕對不要因為知道一年可以讀三次，就把三年該讀的章節除以三，然後決定每天讀固定的章節，因此一年可以讀三次，這是律法似的强迫自己讀經，不會有聖靈的帶領的。

        把聖經的話語存在心中是非常重要的，因為如果聖靈用聖經的話語引導我們，而我們裏面根本不知道聖經有這樣的話語，這豈不是枉然。不要說聖靈不會這樣做，因為我們不知道祂是否要告訴我們，把聖經的話語存在裏面的重要性。

           要強調的一點是，當我們甘心情願的這樣讀經時，撒但的差役不會放過我們的，當我們愈接近神時，我們會經過愈多的試探。(註三) 在這樣的過程中，你可能會發覺，只是用聽的不行，一般人一定要用看的才可以，因為看和聽在身體上的機置是很不相同的。請記住，這樣讀經的終極目的是要「讓聖靈帶領查經」而「得生命」。如果有人告訴你最少要三年，那是鼓勵你。如果五年有成，就該高興，十年不算多，可能要花二十年或更多的時間才行。(註四)

           最後是要謝謝有人有時會問我要不要分享，不知道你們有沒有注意我最後一次的回答，「今天我不要分享」，這是在順服神。如果我說不想分享，是在說謊，這就是在認撒但為父，因為聖經明說，「…魔鬼(撤但)…說謊是出於自己，因他本來是說謊的，也是說謊之人的父。」(約翰福音 8:44) 為什麼是說謊呢？因為聽到和聖經不合的地方，尤其是在和合本的翻譯中，因和「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」相衝突，有明顯錯誤的地方，所以實在很想分享 ! 但是由於我過去看大家反應的經驗，知道分享也是枉然，不如不說。(註五) 這或是出自撒但的差役的工作，或是出自沒有對啓示錄七個教會都說的要有能聽的耳，或是兩者都有。

           以後我會有幾年的時間在查經時不會分享，所以請這幾年不要再問我要不要分享，這會不讓撒但的差役有機會在意念中告訴我說，你看神又要你發言了，增加我受試探的機會。以前我在另一個團契因為錯誤的教導，有幾年在查經的時候一句話都沒有說，衹在分組禱告和事後茶點和人交通時說過話。這次在查經中不分享是在順服神，希望能學會控制自己的舌頭，不要因為撒但的差役告訴我，分享某些事對團契有益就分享了枉然分享的事，以致於把自己擺上而卻讓撒但的差役有個攻擊的機會。對於我在查經時有幾年不會分享的這件事，你可能會很高興的認為不必再聽到和你教導不合的明顯錯誤，或是認為雖然神很有耐心，但發出了「任憑」的警告(註六)，祗希望你能做出一個正確的抉擇。

           有人可能會問，旣然查經時都不說話，那去參加團契有什麼意義，不就是守律法的去遵守，「你們不可停止聚會，好像那些停止慣了的人，倒要彼此勸勉。既知道那日子臨近，就更當如此。」(希伯來書 10:25) 這是大不對的，因為查經時可是忙著呢，不知道聖靈什麼時候就藉著經文或別人的口說話了，別人不祇是指弟兄姊妹，也包括了不信主的福音朋友。譬如說，福音朋友在問某些問題時，我會想到聖經在這問題上是如何教導的。在分組禱告和事後茶點的和別人交通，不就是彼此勸勉嗎？所以我會高高興興的儘可能的參加每週的聚會。

註解

註一: 在專題查經的「2152 一個得生命的實際可行方法」，我們詳細的討論過這應許，已在8/19/25轉送給團契了其鏈接: https://a-christian-voice.com/2025/07/30/2152-%e4%b8%80%e5%80%8b%e5%be%97%e7%94%9f%e5%91%bd%e7%9a%84%e5%af%a6%e9%9a%9b%e5%8f%af%e8%a1%8c%e6%96%b9%e6%b3%95-%e6%97%8b%e9%a2%a8%e8%91%97/。其他應許如衹要情詞迫切地直求(厚臉皮的求 , importunity, G335) ，就能一次性的被聖靈充滿，也是沒有說時間。(參路加福音 11:5-13)

註二:  譬如，「以利沙禱告說：「耶和華啊，求你開這少年人的眼目，使他能看見。」耶和華開他的眼目，他就看見滿山有火車火馬圍繞以利沙。」(列王紀下 6:17) 對整件事情的描述，請參考列王紀下 6:8-17。又如，「 當時，耶和華使巴蘭的眼目明亮，他就看見耶和華的使者站在路上，手裏有拔出來的刀，巴蘭便低頭俯伏在地。」(民數記 22:31) 對整件事情的部份描述，請參考民數記 22:1-35。

註三:  基督徒是主耶穌的僕人，我們就先看看撒但如何對待主，在耶穌受洗後四十天受魔鬼(撒但)的試探時，「魔鬼用完了各樣的試探，就暫時離開耶穌。」(路加福音 4:13) 那時祇是暫時離開而已，後來則是，祂「…凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。」(希伯來書 4:15) 聖經明說，「學生不能高過先生，僕人不能高過主人。」(馬太福音 10:24) 我們怎麼會在愈接近神時，不會經過愈多的試探呢？但試探中神會保守我們，聖經明說，「你們所遇見的試探，無非是人所能受的。神是信實的，必不叫你們受試探過於所能受的。在受試探的時候，總要給你們開一條出路，叫你們能忍受得住。」(哥林多前書 10:13)

註四:  保羅在見過大光後，他花了一些時間得到啓示，他說，「弟兄們，我告訴你們，我素來所傳的福音，不是出於人的意思，因為我不是從人領受的，也不是人教導我的，乃是從耶穌基督啓示來的。」(加拉太書 1:11-12) 而啓示不是一天就可以得到的，而是慢慢累積的。雖然聖經沒有明講，有人說他得到啓示也要在曠野待約三年，我們不會比保羅更強的，而且我自己的經驗告訴我，三年是不夠的。再看，摩西活了一百二十歲，前四十年是在埃及的王宮生活，中間四十年在牧羊，在他被呼召的時候，已是拙口笨舌的 (參出埃及記 4:10) ， 牧羊四十年該早已忘了在埃及所學的，最後的四十年才被神呼召出來做神的工作，所以聖經提到被製作最久的人是摩西，有四十年。我們也看到了雖然慢功出細活，但我們不會這麼久，有這麼多時間的，不必擔心。順便一提的是，神會在需要的時候，會還給我們忘掉但有需要的知識，摩西後來不是寫了摩西五經嗎？

註五: 我如果不是測試過非常多次，不會得到這樣的結論的。這其中包括了你們過去有時會看到我在查經時，提到工具書的原文，大家好像不在乎聖經怎麼講，衹要我認為聖經怎麼講就可以了。不是不可以問問題，這是心態的問題，因為人有自由意志，會造成罔顧事實，我現在就舉一個相當多人沒有看到和合本翻譯錯誤的例子。和合本是這樣翻譯的，「…那真正拜父的，要用心靈和誠實(G225, truth)拜他，…」(約翰福音 4:23) 這個字 G225 出現了110 次，在約翰福音就出現了25次，它的意義可以從這典型的經文看到，「律法本是藉着摩西傳的，恩典和真理(G225)都是由耶穌基督來的。」(約翰福音 1:17) 怎麼會有人堅持可以把這個字翻譯成誠實呢！ 其實從「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」來看，就非常清楚。如果一個人誠實的告訴你說，我敬拜的是別神而不是耶和華，神會要這樣的誠實的人拜祂嗎？其實這就是「彼得、約翰說：「聽從你們，不聽從神，這在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量吧！」(使徒行傳 4:19)

註六: 好像有些人對「任憑」的概念不清楚，所以我們就舉一個現實的例子來說明。成功哲學的教會說，衹要信主，一切都順利，這樣的教導為許多人接受，但顯然不符合聖經，聖經是說，「…在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。」(約翰福音 16:33) 神就「任憑」這樣稗子似的教會發展，也就是，「主人說：『不必，恐怕薅稗子，連麥子也拔出來。容這兩樣一齊長，等着收割。當收割的時候，我要對收割的人說：先將稗子薅出來，捆成捆，留着燒；惟有麥子要收在倉裏。』」(馬太福音 13:29-30) 對整件事情的描述，請看馬太福音 13:24-30。

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

    首先我们引用了以前的讨论，看到耶稣有属灵的权病，祂吩咐污鬼「群」，他们就听祂的，祂最终允许他们进入猪群，但是那群猪也受不了，投在海里淹死了。第二，我们看到众人因害怕央求耶稣离开，我们也引用了以前的讨论。第三，耶稣治愈管会堂的睚鲁的小女儿，让她的灵再回到身上而复活，我们引用了以前的讨论，并说到其扩展，看到三分法是圣经所说的。最后我们来看患了十二年血漏的女人，我们也引用了以前的讨论，她因信了只要摸到衣裳䍁子就可得医治，其中也顺便谈了䍁子的来历及其意义。

1.  治愈被污鬼「群」附身的人和准许污鬼进入猪里       

    「他们来到海那边格拉森人的地方。耶稣一下船，就有一个被污鬼附著的人从坟茔里出来迎著他。那人常住在坟茔里，没有人能捆住他，就是用铁链也不能，因为人屡次用脚镣和铁链捆锁他，铁链竟被他挣断了，脚镣也被他弄碎了。总没有人能制伏他。他昼夜常在坟茔里和山中喊叫，又用石头砍自己。他远远地看见耶稣，就跑过去拜他，大声呼叫说：「至高神的儿子耶稣，我与你有甚么相干？我指著神恳求你，不要叫我受苦！」是因耶稣曾吩咐他说：「污鬼啊，从这人身上出来吧！」耶稣问他说：「你名叫甚么？」 回答说：「我名叫『群』，因为我们多的缘故。」就再三地求耶稣，不要叫他们离开那地方。在那里山坡上，有一大群猪吃食，鬼就央求耶稣说：「求你打发我们往猪群里，附著猪去。」耶稣准了他们，污鬼就出来，进入猪里去。于是那群猪闯下山崖，投在海里，淹死了。猪的数目约有二千。」(马可福音 5:1-13)        

    同样一件事情在路加福音 8:26-33 有其记载，并在马太福音 8:28-32 也有简略的记录，但在马太福音 8:28 是说，「耶稣既渡到那边去，来到加大拉人的地方，就有两个被鬼附的人从坟茔里出来迎著他，… 」(马太福音 8:28) 很显然的，这里默示的明显矛盾是要我们注意事情本身。不要自己骗自己说是圣经非要在字句上是一致的，而说谎认撒但为父，因撒但「…说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。」(约翰福音 8:44) 不要玩文字游戏，说是圣经的初版没有字句上的矛盾，而初版早已失传，因此没有人能证实这句话的真伪 ! 要能真正找到默示明显矛盾的原因。     

    关于这事件的本身，以前在「2055 亲属，平静风浪，和鬼入猪群事件- 耶稣的形像 (10)」中的「3. 赶鬼入猪群事件」，我们讨论了路加福音 8:26-33，这里说了猪的数目约有二千，但基本上是相同的，在这里我们就只简短的讨论一下。     

    首先我们注意到这被污鬼附身的人有过于常人的力气，但他不能控制自己而会伤害自己。这是圣经所讲被最多的鬼附身的人，他是被「群」附身。即使如此，他的自由意志还是没有被完全的抹杀，因「他远远地看见耶稣，就跑过去拜他。」(马可福音 5:6) 我们看到祂有属灵的权柄，祂允许他们进入猪群，他们就听祂的，祇是那群猪也受不了，投在海里淹死了。请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。谢谢。

2. 众人害怕央求耶稣离开       

    「放猪的就逃跑了，去告诉城里和乡下的人。众人就来，要看是甚么事。他们来到耶稣那里，看见那被鬼附著的人，就是从前被群鬼所附的，坐著，穿上衣服，心里明白过来，他们就害怕。看见这事的，便将鬼附之人所遇见的和那群猪的事，都告诉了众人，众人就央求耶稣离开他们的境界。」耶稣上船的时候，那从前被鬼附著的人恳求和耶稣同在。耶稣不许，却对他说：「你回家去，到你的亲属那里，将主为你所做的是何等大的事，是怎样怜悯你，都告诉他们。」那人就走了，在低加坡里传扬耶稣为他做了何等大的事，众人就都希奇。耶稣坐船又渡到那边去，就有许多人到他那里聚集。他正在海边上。」(马可福音 5:14-21)        

    同样的事在路加福音 8:34-39 有叙述，并在在马太福音 8:28-34 有简略的记载，在「2055」中的「4. 事后发生的事」，我们详细的讨论了路加福音 8:34-39，并扩展说明祂对接受治愈神迹的人处理的方式很不一样，请看那篇文章。在这里我们就也只简短的讨论一下。    

    我们注意到那人是回到外邦的低加波里家中，所以他是外邦人。在扩展中，我们提到耶稣怎样不同的处理犹太人事件。关于他们央求耶稣离开他们，是在知道鬼附之人所遇见的和那群猪的事之后，因不知道耶稣是何等人，害怕也是正常的反应，更也许是加上了惧怕和猪的主人一样的有财务上的损失，以致于他们都求耶稣离开他们，失去了救恩的机会。我们也看到了耶稣虽行了神迹，但不强迫他们相信而接受祂。

3.  治愈管会堂的睚鲁的小女儿       

    「有一个管会堂的人，名叫睚鲁，来见耶稣，就俯伏在他脚前，再三地求他，说：「我的小女儿快要死了，求你去按手在她身上，使她痊愈，得以活了。」耶稣就和他同去，有许多人跟随拥挤他。…还说话的时候，有人从管会堂的家里来，说：「你的女儿死了！何必还劳动先生呢？」耶稣听见所说的话，就对管会堂的说：「不要怕，只要信！」于是带著彼得、雅各、和雅各的兄弟约翰同去，不许别人跟随他。他们来到管会堂的家里，耶稣看见那里乱嚷，并有人大大地哭泣哀号，进到里面，就对他们说：「为甚么乱嚷哭泣呢？孩子不是死了，是睡著了。」他们就嗤笑耶稣。 耶稣把他们都撵出去，就带著孩子的父母，和跟随的人进了孩子所在的地方，就拉著孩子的手，对她说：「大利大，古米！」翻出来就是说：「闺女，我吩咐你起来！」那闺女立时起来走，他们就大大地惊奇；闺女已经十二岁了。耶稣切切地嘱咐他们，不要叫人知道这事，又吩咐给她东西吃。」(马可福音 5:22-24…35-43)    

    一开始我们就看到睚鲁是相当有信心的，他相信只要耶稣按手在他快要死的女儿身上就可以了。请注意，在耶稣去睚鲁家的路上，还发生了一件事情，就是下段要提到的患了十二年血漏的女人，也就是用「…」表示这段插的经文。同样的一件事情记录在路加福音 8:41-42…49-56，在马太福音 9:18-19…23-26 也有记载。     

    我们看到耶稣对彼得、雅各、约翰和对其他使徒很不同，去变化山上时也只带了他们三个，在十二使徒中，彼得是大使徒，约翰活得最久，而雅各是最先为主殉道的使徒。以前在「2056 医血漏和睚鲁女儿复活，及差遣十二个门徒  -耶稣的形像(11)」中的「2. 睚鲁的女儿死而复活」，我们详细的讨论这些经文，并从这些扩展到相关的看见。请用前述的方法，找到这篇文章。     

    说到扩展，譬如说，按照经文，死的时候是灵先走，当魂离开后，人就死了。耶稣不也是在十字架大声喊著说：『…父啊！我将我的灵(魂)(G4151, spirit)交在你手里。」说了这话，气就断了。』(路加福音 23:46) 没有说魂，可见灵和魂是可以分开的。就像圣经明说，「神的道是活泼的，是有功效的，比一切两刃的剑更快，甚至魂与灵、骨节与骨髓，都能刺入、剖开，连心中的思念和主意都能辩明。」(希伯来书 4:12) 所以人由灵、魂、和体构成的，如经文所说，『…愿你们的灵与魂与身子得蒙保守，…』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:23) 也就是说，三分法是对的。从「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」，我们也可以看到这个希腊字 G5053 有两个意义，「快要死了」和「死了」。

4.  患了十二年血漏的女人       

    「有一个女人，患了十二年的血漏，在好些医生手里受了许多的苦，又花尽了她所有的，一点也不见好，病势反倒更重了。她听见耶稣的事，就从后头来，杂在众人中间，摸耶稣的衣裳，意思说：「我只摸他的衣裳，就必痊愈。」于是她血漏的源头立刻干了，她便觉得身上的灾病好了。耶稣顿时心里觉得有能力从自己身上出去，就在众人中间转过来，说：「谁摸我的衣裳？」门徒对他说：「你看众人拥挤你，还说『谁摸我』吗？」耶稣周围观看，要见做这事的女人。那女人知道在自己身上所成的事，就恐惧战兢，来俯伏在耶稣跟前，将实情全告诉他。耶稣对她说：「女儿，你的信救了你，平平安安地回去吧！你的灾病痊愈了。」」(马可福音 5:25-34)       

    以上是在耶稣去睚鲁家的路上，发生了这件件事情，同样的事情在马太福音 9:20-22 有简短的记录，在路加福音 8:42-48 也有记录，并明说是衣裳䍁子，「她来到耶稣背后，摸他的衣裳䍁子，血漏立刻就止住了。」(路加福音 8:44) 她只是听见耶稣的事就有这样的信心，难怪耶稣会说，妳的信救了妳。     

    以前在「2056」的「1. 患血漏的女人」中，我们讨论在患血漏的女人身上的神迹，她因信了只要摸到衣裳䍁子就可得医治，我们也顺便谈了䍁子的来历及其意义。经文告诉我们很清楚，耶稣在地上的时候，是完全的人，经文不是明说吗？「并且因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄。」(约翰福音 5:27) 在道成肉身的这段期中，祂从来没有用过祂的神性，因此从祂身上出去的那能力是从圣灵而来，并不是祂主动的，但祂感觉到了。请用前述的方法找到这篇文章。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)