Matthew 9:14-17 - Exposition

Christ ' s care for the free-dora of his disciples from ceremonial bondage. He teaches that the standpoint of the Baptist was preparatory ( Matthew 3:1-17 .), and was not intended to be a permanent resting-place.

Observe that of the three accounts St. Matthew's points out the most clearly that the objection originated with the disciples of John the Baptist. Perhaps St. Matthew found these possessing special influence in the part for which his Gospel was primarily intended. So also St. John thought it desirable to recall the teaching of the Master, that while he himself was the Bridegroom, the Baptist was only subordinate ( John 3:29 ). On the survival of the teaching of John the Baptist, and the greater importance of its professed adherents during the apostolic age than is usually supposed, vide Bishop Lightfoot, 'Colossians,' p. 163, edit. 1875.