The Passion Translation New Testament Masterpiece Edition (2020 edition) : with Psalms, Proverbs and Song of Songs (The Illustrated Passion Translation) (The Passion Translation (TPT))

by Brian Simmons

The Old Testament is more central in Matthew than in any other Gospel, both in frequency and in emphasis.

18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother, Mary, had promised Joseph to be his wife,i but while she was still a virginj she became pregnant through the powerk of the Holy Spirit.l

i1:18 In the Jewish culture the engagement was a prenuptial contract (ketubah), which was entered into before witnesses, that gave legal rights over the girl to the bridegroom. This agreement could only be nullified by going through the formal divorce process. Since the girl still lived with her family, sexual relations were prohibited until after the second event of the public marriage ceremony. This engagement period was usually entered into when the girl turned thirteen. Mary was just a teenager when she gave birth to Jesus.

The Hebrew name for Jesus is Yeshua (or Y’hoshua) and means “Yahweh is salvation, restoration, and deliverance.” Implied in the text is that Hebrew (Aramaic) speakers would obviously understand how the name Yeshua and salvation were linked, reinforcing the theory that Matthew was originally written in Hebrew. This is lost in the Greek word Iesous (Jesus).

“God with us” or “God among us”; that is, God incarnated.

2Jesus was born in Bethlehema near Jerusalemb during the reign of King Herod.c After Jesus’ birth a group of spiritual priestsd from the East came to Jerusalem 2and inquired of the people, “Where is the child who is born king of the Jewish people? We observed his star rising in the skye and we’ve come to bow before him in worship.”f

3King Herod was shaken to the core when he heard this, and not only he, but all of Jerusalem was disturbed when they heard this news.g 4So he called a meeting of the Jewish ruling priests and religious scholars, demanding that they tell him where the promised Messiah was prophesied to be born.

23So he settled his family in the village of Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy that he would be known as the “Branch.”

a2:1 Bethlehem, or Byt-lehem, means “house of bread,” the prophesied birthplace of Messiah. However, the Hebrew word lehem can also mean “fighters.” Jesus was born in “the House of Fighters!” This is the city of David, one of the greatest fighters in the entire Bible. Perhaps this is why the people of Jesus’ day expected him to fight the Romans and free their land from foreign occupation. Jesus fulfilled both aspects of the meaning of Bethlehem in Gethsemane and on the cross, where he fought the “Goliath” of our souls and won, becoming Bread for the world.

d2:1 Or “astrologers,” known as dream interpreters. These wealthy priests would have traveled with an entourage for protection as officials from the East. The Greek word magos is taken from the Mede language and means “spiritual advisors” or simply “priests.” They were appointed by Darius over the state religion as priests of Persia, which is modern-day Iran, and served as official advisors to the king. By the time of Jesus’ birth, Persia had been conquered and was being governed by successors to Alexander the Great. It is possible these Magos came from the Mesopotamian region of Seleucia. See also Dan. 2 and 5:11, where the prophet Daniel is given the title of “Chief of the Magio.” It is probable that these Magos were descendants of those who had been taught by Daniel, and because of his prophecy of the Messiah being “cut off,” they may have been able to decipher the date of his birth along with the interpretation of his star rising. e2:2 Or “his star in the east” or “shooting star” or possibly “comet.” Note that it is also called “his star,” not the star of Bethlehem. f2:2 With the visit of the wise men coming to bow in worship before Jesus, we see a preview of the nations one day worshiping our King. See Ps. 72:8–11. g2:3 Although we are not told how many “wise men” came to visit Bethlehem, it was likely quite a large entourage. It is doubtful that three men from Persia would cause such an uproar and commotion in the city. There were possibly over one hundred who travel...

j2:10 The Greek is hard to translate since it contains so many redundant words for joy in this one verse. It is literally “They rejoiced with a great joy exceedingly.” They were ecstatic! k2:11 These “wise men” were extremely wealthy. They presented gifts that totaled a great sum of money—not tiny presents wrapped with bows, but treasure chests full of financial wealth. Although we are not given the monetary value of each type of gift, we know that frankincense and myrrh were extremely costly. These gifts would have financed Joseph and Mary and Jesus’ exodus to Egypt and supplied their living expenses for a number of years, even after returning to Israel. Gold is an often-used symbol of the deity of Christ. Frankincense points to his perfect life of holiness, excellence, and devotion. Myrrh, an embalming spice, speaks to us of the suffering love that would lead him to the death on the cross.

o2:23 Or “a Nazarene.” The Hebrew Scriptures give us a wonderful truth about the Branch (Sprout) of the Lord that would come and establish righteousness. The word for “branch” or sprout is netzer, the root word for Nazareth and Nazarene. The teaching of the Branch of the Lord is a concept taught throughout the Bible, from the Tree of Life, to the seven branches of the Lampstand, to Jesus the Vine calling us his branches. Jesus is a Scion, a Branch that can be transplanted and grafted into a human life. Another variant form of this amazing word netzer can be translated “keeper, watchman, one who keeps secrets, guardian, one who keeps watch.” All of these words are true of Jesus, the Branch who was raised in the village of the Branch (Nazareth). Additionally, the Aramaic word for Nazareth means “heir of a powerful family” or “victorious one.” So it is entirely possible to translate this “he will be called the Victorious Branch (of Nazareth).” See Dan. 11:7; Isa. 11:1; 60:21. See also Isa. 4:2; Jer. 23:5; Zech. 6:12, which use a Hebrew synonym for Branch, tsemach.

7But when he saw many coming from among the wealthy elite of Jewish societyh and many of the religious leaders known as Phariseesi coming to witness the baptism, he began to denounce them, saying, “You offspring of vipers!j Who warned you to slither away like snakes from the fire of God’s judgment?k

10The axem is now ready to cut down the trees at their very roots. Every fruitless, rotten tree will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

j3:7 The word viper in the Aramaic is akidneh, which is really a reference to a scorpion. When a male scorpion mates it quickly dies. The mother scorpion dies when giving birth, so every scorpion is born into this world as an orphan without the guidance of a set of parents. The dual meaning is simply this: The Pharisees were indeed cunning as vipers, but they were also spiritual orphans. John implied in using the word akidneh that Abraham died giving them birth and they have lost his guidance. But if the Pharisees would only turn to their true loving Father, Elohim, they would no longer be orphans. k3:7 John is telling them they can’t escape the fire of judgment just by getting wet.

l3:9 There is an interesting word-play in the Hebrew and Aramaic that is lost in an English translation. The Hebrew words for sons (bĕnayyā) and stones (’abnayyā) are similar.

m3:10 The “axe” becomes a metaphor of the word of truth that judges hearts and nations.

6“Examine your motives to make sure you’re not showing off when you do your good deeds, only to be admired by others; otherwise, you will lose the reward of your heavenly Father. 2So when you give to the poor, don’t announce it and make a show of it just to be seen by people,a like the hypocritesb in the streets and in the marketplace.c They’ve already received their reward! 3But when you demonstrate generosity, do it with pure motives and without drawing attention to yourself.d 4Give secretly and your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.”e

‘Our Beloved Father,g dwelling in the heavenly realms, may the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn.h 10Manifest your kingdom realm,i and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is in heaven. 11We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day.j 12Forgive us the wrongs we have donek as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us. 13Rescue us every time we face tribulationl and set us free from evil.m For you are the King who rules with power and glory forever. Amen.’n

22“The eyes of your spirit allow revelation-lightt to enter into your being. If your heart is unclouded, the light floods in! 23But if your eyes are focused on money,u the light cannot penetrate and darkness takes its place.v How profound will be the darkness within youw if the light of truth cannot enter!

b6:2 The Greek word hupokrites is not only used for people with double standards, it actually means “overcritical,” “nitpicking,” “splitting hairs over religious issues.”

h6:9 An alternate reading of the Aramaic text. The Aramaic word for “name” is shema (the Hebrew word, shem), a word with multiple meanings. It can also be translated “light,” “sound,” or “atmosphere.” Placing a light, like a lantern, in an enclosed space magnifies that light. This is the meaning here of God’s name being made sacred and magnified as we focus our lives on him. The Greek is “treated as holy.”

k6:12 Or “Send away the results of our debts (shortcomings),” used as a metaphor for our sins. The Aramaic can be translated “Give us serenity as we also allow others serenity.”

t6:22 Or “Your eye is like a lamp for your body.” The teachings of Jesus are the “revelation-light” referred to here. Some scholars see “healthy eyes” as a Semitic figure of speech for generosity, due to the context of giving and money in the verses before and after. u6:23 An “evil” eye can also be associated with being stingy and greedy.

7“Refuse to be a critic full of bias toward others, and you will not be judged.a 2For you’ll be judged by the same standard that you’ve used to judge others. The measurement you use on them will be used on you.b 3Why would you focus on the flaw in someone else’s life and fail to notice the glaring flaws of your own?c 4How could you say to your friend, ‘Let me show you where you’re wrong,’ when you’re guilty of even more? 5You’re being hypercritical and a hypocrite! First acknowledge and deal with your own ‘blind spots,’ and then you’ll be capable of dealing with the ‘blind spot’ of your friend.d

Who would hang earrings on a dog’s ear or throw pearlse in front of wild pigs? They’ll only trample them under their feet and then turn around and tear you to pieces!

d7:5 Or “You hypocrite, why don’t you first remove the beam sticking out of your own eye? Then you can see clearly to remove the small speck out of your brother’s eye.” Jesus is clearly teaching that our blind spots prevent us from accurately evaluating the needs of others.

e7:6 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “Don’t let the dogs have consecrated [holy] meat.” The Aramaic word for “earrings” is almost identical to the word for “holy.” Earrings and pearls are symbols of spiritual truths given to us by God. They give us beautiful “ears” to hear his voice and impart lovely pearls of wisdom, which are not to be regarded lightly or shared with those who have their hearts closed. The Aramaic word for “throw” is almost identical to the word for “to instruct” or “to teach.” The value of wisdom is not appreciated by those who have no ears to hear it.

10Jesus went to Matthew’s house and made himself at home.

38As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to thrust outv many more reapers to harvest his grain!”

v9:38 The Greek word ekballo is used many times in the Gospels for driving out or casting out demons. The Lord of the Harvest must cast the laborers out into the harvest fields.

28“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me.o I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.p 29Simply join your life with mine.q Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle,r humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.s 30For all that I require of you will be pleasantt and easy to bear.”u

o11:28 Many times Jesus said, “Come after (follow) me,” but only here does he say, “Come to me.”

r11:29 The Aramaic is “tranquil” or “peaceful.”

The Aramaic could be translated “Come to me and I will cheer [refresh] you. I am cheerful [refreshing] and humble in heart, and you will find cheer [refreshing] for your soul.”

t11:30 Or “kind” (or “delightful”).

18Take a careful look at my servant,n my chosen one. I love him dearly and I find all my delight in him.o I will breathe my Spirit upon him and he will decree justicep to the nations. 19He will not quarrel or raise his voice in public. 20He won’t brush aside the bruised and broken. He will be gentle with the weak and feeble,q until his victory releases justice.

o12:18 The Aramaic is literally “He has sun-shined my being.”

ab12:36 Or “worthless word.” The Aramaic is “every untrue word.”

you’re able to understand this, then you need to respond.”c

43Then the righteous will shine like the brightness of the sunx in their Father’s kingdom realm. If you’re able to understand this, then you’d better respond!”

ad13:52 These “new treasures” speak of new insights and understandings that are revealed at the proper time. The “old treasures” speak of truths that have been established, founded upon what God has already revealed. Teachers are to bring forth the revelation of God and his word as treasures to the people. We need both new and old insights.

13On hearing this, Jesus slipped away privately by boat to be alone. But when the crowds discovered he had sailed away, they emerged from all the nearby towns and followed him on foot. 14So when Jesus landed he had a huge crowd waiting for him. Seeing so many people, his heart was deeply moved with compassion toward them, so he healed all the sick who were in the crowd.e

“Be brave and don’t be afraid. I am here!”

e14:14 The Aramaic is “he nurtured them in love and cured their frailties.”

16Jesus said, “Even after all that I’ve taught you, you still remain clueless? 17Is it hard to understand that whatever you eat enters the stomach only to pass out into the sewer? 18But what comes out of your mouth reveals the core of your heart. Words can pollute, not food. 19You will find living within an impure heart evil ideas, murderous thoughts, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lies, and slander.e 20That’s what pollutes a person.

5But while Peter was still speaking, a bright radiant cloud spread over them, enveloping them all.f And God’s voice suddenly spoke from the cloud, saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, the constant focus of my delight.g Listen to him!”h

10His disciples asked him, “Why do all the religious scholars insist that Elijah must first appear before the Anointed One comes?” 11He answered them, “They’re right. Elijah must come first and restore all things. 12But Elijah has already appeared. And yet they didn’t recognize him, so they did to him whatever they pleased. And the Son of Man is destined to suffer the same abuse as what they did to him.” 13Then the disciples realized that Jesus was referring to John the Baptizer all along.l

The Greek word translated “overshadow” is episkiazo, which is used exclusively for the power of the Almighty “overshadowing,” such as Mary, who conceived Jesus supernaturally by God.

Jesus was comparing Elijah with John the Baptist. John was not Elijah reincarnated, but the Spirit upon Elijah was the Spirit upon John. John, the forerunner, ministered in the spirit and power of Elijah. The same anointing of Elijah is present today to restore all things. (See Acts 3:21.) The Bible scholars had properly concluded that Elijah must come first, but failed to interpret it figuratively. This is often repeated today with biblical prophecies. We need the Spirit of Christ to help us understand even the basic truths of the Bible.