Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah promised to the Jewish nation of Israel. We gentile believers are eternally grateful Yahweh included us in the spiritual blessings of His New Covenant with Israel.

The Scribes and Pharisees use the tradition of the elders to justify breaking Yahweh's command to honor fathers and mothers. In addition, they horribly dishonor Yahweh by using Him as the reason for their transgression when, in fact, they are serving themselves.

Jesus will train those who follow him, despite their limited understanding and their doubts.

They were the evidence given when John the Baptizer doubted. They forced the Pharisees to accept or reject his claims. So, how would his "home crowd" respond? How will Herod, who has only heard of him, respond?

Jesus has been rejected by the nation of Israel. His offer of the Messianic Kingdom has been withdrawn from that generation. Through the following parables Jesus reveals the nature of the interim Kingdom. He is preparing His disciples for their role in interim Kingdom.

The sign of Jonah is the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth after three days in the grave! The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate sign and proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah-King. But as Matthew will report, even the ultimate sign of the resurrection of Jesus will be rejected by the scribes and Pharisees.

Matthew interprets Jesus' withdrawal as the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1-4 which emphasizes that Messiah's ministry will be Holy Spirit empowered, non-combative, expanded to include Gentiles and ultimately successful.

Jesus shifts from persuading the nation to liberating individuals from the bondage of Pharisaical Judaism in order that they may truly know God and experience His life of soul-rest (11:27-30).