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Matthew 12

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

And charged them that they should not make him known:

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

What does Matthew 12:3 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 12:3 recounts an encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees, in which Jesus responds to their criticism about his disciples picking grain on the Sabbath.

They regarded this act as unlawful work on the day of rest.

Jesus refers to an event involving King David to illustrate a principle that human need can take precedence over strict Sabbath rules.

He reminds the Pharisees of the story, found in 1 Samuel 21:1-6, where David, being very hungry, ate the showbread from the tabernacle, which was legally only for the priests to eat.

By this, Jesus argued that there are times when human need overrides ceremonial law.

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Historical Context

The verse is set in a time when Jewish religious life was heavily regulated by the Law of Moses and the added interpretations by the religious leaders of the day, particularly the Pharisees and the scribes.

The Sabbath, being a day of rest and worship, was precious to Jewish identity, and the Pharisees had extensive rules about what could and could not be done on that day.

Theological Insights

Theologically this verse illustrates that Jesus emphasized mercy over ritual and the spirit of the law over the letter.

From a Christian perspective, this story demonstrates that Jesus is lord over the Sabbath, and His interpretation of the Law is authoritative.

Some theologians also see this as a foreshadowing of the New Covenant, under which sacrificial and ceremonial laws are fulfilled in Jesus, and thus believers are no longer bound to those specific legalistic observances.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied to emphasize the importance of compassion and the prioritization of human needs over strict adherence to religious rituals.

It challenges individuals to consider the intention behind religious observance and to not allow legalism to supersede kindness and love for others.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 21:1-6: The story of David eating the consecrated bread.
Mark 2:25-26: Mark's account of the same story of Jesus referencing David.
Luke 6:3-4: Luke's version of the same event.
Hosea 6:6: "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."
Matthew 9:13: Jesus asserting that he desires mercy and not sacrifice.

Language Study

The key phrase "Have ye not read" (Greek: "ouk anegnōte") specifically denotes a reading that is expected to be familiar, questioning the Pharisees' understanding of the scriptures.

The word "hungred" (Greek: "epeinasen") is in the aorist tense, indicating a past action, and reflects a physical necessity, having been famished or extremely hungry.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of scriptural interpretation overriding strict ritual observance can be found in other religious traditions as well.

In Judaism, the principle of 'pikuach nefesh,' which means saving a life overrides almost every other religious rule.

In Islam, too, flexibility is provided in the practice of fasting during Ramadan for the sick or for travelers.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific perspective might examine the physiological needs for food and the effects of starvation or malnutrition on the human body, offering a rationale for why certain needs, such as hunger, may need to be addressed immediately, often outweighing other concerns or regulations.

Commentaries

Commentators often point out that Jesus uses this incident to show the Pharisees were guilty of selective application of the law, missing its deeper intention.

Matthew Henry's Commentary notes that Jesus intends to represent the Pharisees' accusation as unreasonable.

John Calvin's Commentary sheds light on how Jesus demonstrates His superiority in knowing the law and its rightful applications.

Adam Clarke's Commentary emphasizes Jesus' role as Lord of the Sabbath and the rightful expounder of the law.

Each analysis recognizes the tension between a legalistic interpretation of religious law and the law's purpose to serve humanity's good.

Matthew 12

Matthew 12

What does Matthew 12:3 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 12:3 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?