About Jesus teaching amid troubles

We finish Matthew 13 and dip forward into Matthew 14. With the following questions, perhaps we can make sense of God's Torah of freedom in this gospel we study.

1. Jesus describes a head of household, a master of the house, with a full storeroom. Where would an Israelite get things to fill a storeroom?
2. Does Jesus see the scribes, in v. 52, as enemies?
3. People got upset with Jesus' miracles, like healing a leper. Now what are they mad at, in v. 57?
4. Apparently, being the son of the carpenter is not that impressive to the townfolk of Nazareth. WHat other great figures from the Old Testament had humble parentage?
5. Why were the townfolk of Nazareth so riled up? What motivated them? Would it make it easier to accept someone if you know their family?
6. Could one consider it a kindness that Jesus worked no miracles there?
7. Now in chapter 14, we begin the story of John's beheading. It seems awkward to introduce it here, though. How does this side story, the beheading of John the Baptist, strengthen Matthew's central gospel message of Jesus?
8. Immediately after hearing about John's death, Jesus headed out for a deserted place apart. What effect would this have had on the Twelve? What did it teach them?
9. Who fed the crowd?
10. Have you ever caught a fish as big as a basket?

Let's dive into Chapter 14 tomorrow, first thing.

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