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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 12:8 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 12:8 speaks to the authority of Jesus over the Sabbath.

This statement was made by Jesus in response to the Pharisees' criticism of His disciples for plucking and eating grain on the Sabbath, an act the Pharisees considered to be work, which was prohibited on the Sabbath under Jewish Law.

Literally, Jesus is declaring that He has authority even over the laws and traditions pertaining to the Sabbath.

On a deeper level, this statement emphasizes Jesus' divine nature and His position above the religious law, thus redefining what is lawful on the Sabbath and placing mercy and human need above ritualistic observance.

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

The Sabbath, a day of rest observed on the seventh day of the week, is a key aspect of Jewish law and tradition, as commanded in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible).

In the context of 1st-century Judea, conflicting interpretations of what constituted 'work' on the Sabbath were common among various Jewish sects.

The Pharisees, a prominent religious group at the time, had a strict interpretation of these laws.

The declaration by Jesus in Matthew 12:8 challenges the traditional views held by the Pharisees and underscores a shift from the letter of the law to the spirit of the law.

Theological Insights

There are various theological insights to consider.

From a Christian perspective, Jesus' lordship over the Sabbath can be understood as part of His Messianic identity, fulfilling prophecies of the Hebrew Bible about the coming of a Saviour who would have authority over the law.

Some theologians emphasize that Jesus is affirming His divinity by placing Himself above the Sabbath, which was ordained by God. Others may view this verse as focusing on the law's intent , to serve humanity rather than to enslave it.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in several practical ways.

It encourages believers to understand the intent behind religious observances and to prioritize compassion and mercy over legalistic adherence to religious rituals.

It also calls for a reflection on one's own religious practices and their impact on the wellbeing of others, promoting a faith that is lived out through actions that are aligned with the values of Jesus' teachings.

Cross-References

Mark 2:27-28: "And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."
Luke 6:5: "And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."
Colossians 2:16-17: "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the phrase "Son of man" (υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου) is a title Jesus frequently uses for Himself, grounded in Jewish apocalyptic literature, notably in the book of Daniel.

"Lord" (κύριος) is a title of authority and divinity. In usage, it signifies one with power to decide and command. This emphasizes Christ's authority to interpret and 'overrule' the existing Sabbath laws.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient religions and myths, Jesus' stance here is quite distinctive.

Many ancient myths depict gods as bound by fate or other cosmic forces.

In contrast, Jesus placing Himself above a divine command (the Sabbath) is a claim unique in its cultural context, illustrating a direct and authoritative connection to God that surpasses the constraints of the law as understood by His contemporaries.

Scientific Perspectives

While science predominantly addresses empirical realities rather than theological doctrines, one can consider the benefits of rest and periodic cessation from work as validated by medical and psychological research.

From this standpoint, the concept of Sabbath, when viewed as a time for rest and renewal, aligns well with modern understandings of stress management and holistic health.

Commentaries

Many Bible scholars and commentators on this verse emphasize Jesus' role in reinterpreting and fulfilling Old Testament law.

William Barclay notes that Jesus taught that "the Sabbath was made for man's benefit, not his detriment." Matthew Henry sees this as proof that Jesus is the same God who instituted the Sabbath.

John Calvin comments on the lordship of Christ over the Sabbath as one of the proofs of His divinity.

These interpretations show how various experts draw out the significance of Jesus' dominion over religious practices and the law.

Matthew 12

Matthew 12

What does Matthew 12:8 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 12:8 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?