Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 9:1

"And he entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city." — Matthew 9:1 (ASV)

Many times He crossed the Lake of Galilee, but this time, more in sadness than in anger, He left a people behind Him who had begged Him to depart. He had made Capernaum His own city by the privileges with which He had exalted it. What a name! “His own city.” It was its highest honor that He came sailing into its port, even He who was Lord High Admiral of all seas.

Yet the favored city refused Him and did not recognize its day. May none of us be so favored and prove so unworthy!

And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

I think I see the departing sail — love, hope, and peace melting away upon the distant horizon, and the Gergesenes left to perish. O God, do not do so with any of us! Do not say, "Ephraim is joined to idols.

Let him alone."

And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

Our Lord had given these Gergesenes an opportunity of becoming his disciples; the kingdom of God had come very near to them, but as they accounted themselves unworthy of it and implored him to depart from their region, he did not force himself upon them. Take heed, dear friends, if you only hear the gospel once, that you do not reject it, for you may never have the opportunity of hearing it again.