Matthew 12
12
Jesus, Lord over the Sabbath
1One Saturday, on the day of rest, # 12:1 The Hebrew word for Sabbath comes from shavat, which is the verb “to rest.” What was designed to be a day of rest and intimacy with God and family was now complicated by a host of rules and traditions. Jesus and his disciples were walking through a field of wheat. The disciples were hungry, so they plucked off some heads of grain and rubbed them in their hands # 12:1 As found in Hebrew Matthew. to eat. 2But when some of the Pharisees saw what was happening, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples shouldn’t be harvesting grain # 12:2 Or “doing what is unlawful.” on the Sabbath!”
3Jesus responded, “Haven’t you ever read what King David and his men did when they were hungry? 4They entered the house of God # 12:4 That is, the tabernacle. See 1 Sam. 21:1–6. Ancient Jewish tradition states that David did this on a Sabbath day. See also Lev. 24:5–9. and ate the sacred bread of God’s presence, # 12:4 Or “loaves of presentation.” See Ezek. 44:15–16. violating the law by eating bread that only the priests were allowed to eat.
5“And haven’t you read in the Torah that the priests violated the rules of the Sabbath by carrying out their duties in the temple on a Saturday, and yet they are without blame? 6But I say to you, there is one here who is even greater than the temple. # 12:6 We must always remember that Jesus is greater than the Sabbath and greater than the Temple. We have him in our hearts, and the Sabbath can never take his place. Since the Holy of Holies is now living within us, there is no need for another temple. 7If only you could learn the meaning of the words ‘I want compassion more than a sacrifice,’ # 12:7 See Hos. 6:6. Mercy is greater than ritual. you wouldn’t be condemning my innocent disciples. 8For the Son of Man exercises his lordship over the Sabbath.” # 12:8 Jesus made three startling statements that stunned those who heard him. First he said that he was greater than the temple (v. 6), then that God didn’t want sacrifices but mercy (v. 7), and finally that he, the Messiah, was the Lord of the Sabbath. Don’t be surprised when Jesus shocks you with truth that is outside your understanding.
9Then Jesus left them and went into the synagogue where 10he encountered a man who had an atrophied, paralyzed hand. # 12:10 There is a reading given by Jerome which inserts here these words, possibly from an older manuscript of Hebrew Matthew: “I was a stonemason working with my hands. Jesus, I beg you to heal me so that I don’t have to shamefully beg for food.” See Jerome, Commentary in Matthew xii:13 (de Santos 23). The fault-finding Pharisees asked Jesus, “Is it permissible to perform a work of healing on the Sabbath?” They only asked him this question because they hoped to accuse him of breaking the Jewish laws. # 12:10 The Aramaic is “They were like pests who wanted to devour him.”
11He answered them, “If any of you had a lamb that fell into a ditch on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you reach out your hand and lift it out? 12Isn’t a man much more valuable than a lamb? So of course, it’s always proper to do miracles, # 12:12 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “to do (morally) good.” even on the Sabbath.”
13Then he turned to the man and said, “Hold out your hand!” And as he stretched it out, it was restored, exactly like the other. # 12:13 This is the first of seven miracles Jesus performed on the Sabbath. See Mark 1:21–6, 29–31; Luke 13:10–13; 14:1–4; John 5:1–9; 9:13–16.
14Immediately the Pharisees went out and started to scheme about how they would destroy him. 15Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he left by another way. Massive crowds followed him from there, and he healed all who were sick. 16However, he sternly warned them not to tell others or disclose his real identity, 17in order to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah: # 12:17 See Isa. 42:1–4.
18Take a careful look at my servant, # 12:18 Or “Here is my son.” my chosen one.
I love him dearly
and I find all my delight in him. # 12:18 The Aramaic is literally “He has sun-shined my being.”
I will breathe my Spirit upon him
and he will decree justice # 12:18 Or “judgment.” to the nations.
19He will not quarrel or raise his voice in public.
20He won’t brush aside the bruised and broken.
He will be gentle with the weak and feeble, # 12:20 Or “A bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick he will not extinguish.” The Hebrew Matthew adds a phrase here that corresponds to Isa. 42: “He will not fail or be discouraged.”
until his victory releases justice.
21And the fame of his name
will birth hope among the people. # 12:21 Hebrew Matthew is “The islands will wait for his teachings.”
Jesus Frees a Demonized Man
22Then a man was brought before Jesus who had a demon spirit that made him both blind and mute. Jesus healed him instantly, and he could see and talk again! 23The crowds went wild with amazement as they witnessed this miracle. And they kept saying to one another, “Could this man be the Messiah?” # 12:23 Or “Could he be the Son of David,” a title used for the Messiah.
24But when the Pharisees overheard what the people were saying, they said, “He casts out demons by the power of Satan, # 12:24 Or “Beelzebub” (Baal-zebub), a title used for Satan. See footnote on Matt. 10:25. the prince of demons!”
25Jesus supernaturally perceived their thoughts and motives, so he told them this parable:
“Any kingdom that fights against itself is reduced to ruins. And any family or community splintered by strife will fall apart. 26So if Satan casts out Satan, he is making war on himself. How then could his kingdom stand? 27So if Satan empowers me to cast out demons, who empowers your exorcists # 12:27 Or “your sons,” and by implication, “your followers” (who are exorcists). to cast them out? Go ask them, let them be your judges. # 12:27 In other words, to condemn Jesus as working by Satan’s power would be to condemn their own exorcists. 28But, if I drive out demons by the power of the Spirit of God, then the end of Satan’s kingdom has come! # 12:28 As translated from Hebrew Matthew and implied in the Greek. The Greek text, somewhat ambiguously, reads, “then the kingdom of God has approached.” The Hebrew Matthew cohesively fits Jesus’ parable in making the conclusion that the end of Satan’s kingdom has arrived for he has bound the mighty one (Satan) and ransacked his house (kingdom). Regardless, one indeed implies the other. 29Who would dare enter the house of a mighty man and steal his property? First he must be overpowered and tied up by one who is stronger than he. Then his entire house can be plundered.
30“So join with me, # 12:30 Jesus is saying, “This is a war with no neutrality. Join my side or you will miss the spoils of victory and be forever scattered.” for if you’re not on my side you are against me. And if you refuse to help me gather the spoils, you are making things worse. # 12:30 The Hebrew Matthew is “He who does not join me denies me.” 31This is why I warn you. God will forgive people for every sin and blasphemy except one. There is no forgiveness for the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. 32If anyone speaks evil of me, the Son of Man, he can be forgiven; but if anyone speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will never be forgiven, now or ever!”
Only Good Trees Bear Good Fruit
33“You must determine if a tree is good or rotten. You can recognize good trees by their delicious fruit. But if you find rotten fruit, you can be certain that the tree is rotten. The fruit defines the tree. 34But you who are known as the Pharisees are rotten to the core like venomous snakes. # 12:34 Or “You are the sons of snakes”; that is, their inner identity was like a striking, venomous viper. How can your words be good if you are rotten within? For what has been stored up in your hearts will be heard in the overflow of your words! # 12:34 The Hebrew Matthew reads, “Truly the heart awakens and the mouth speaks.”
35“When virtue is stored within, the hearts of good, upright people will produce good fruit. But when evil is hidden within, those who are evil will produce evil fruit. 36You can be sure of this: when the day of judgment comes, everyone will be held accountable for every careless word # 12:36 Or “worthless word.” The Aramaic is “every untrue word.” he has spoken. # 12:36 The agrapha includes a sentence here, also quoted by Justin Martyr: “In the words I find you saying, in those I will judge you.” See Justin Martyr, Dialogue 47:5. 37Your very words will be used as evidence, and your words will declare you either innocent or guilty.”
The Sign of Jonah
38Then a few Jewish scholars and Pharisees spoke up and said, “Teacher, why don’t you perform a miraculous sign for us.”
39Jesus replied, “Only evil people who are unfaithful to God would demand a sign. # 12:39 After experiencing the many miracles of Jesus’ love and power, and hearing his words of grace, for them to demand a further sign is what distinguished that generation as “evil.” There will be no sign given to you except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge sea creature for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 41The people of Nineveh will also rise up on the day of judgment to condemn this generation. # 12:41 The Aramaic is “tribe.” The Ninevites (modern-day Mosul, Iraq) were pagans, yet through the preaching of one prophet they converted. The people of Israel had many prophets throughout their history, and the greatest Prophet of all was now preaching to them, yet they refused to listen. For they all repented when they heard the preaching of Jonah. And there is one greater than Jonah here preaching to you today! 42Even the Queen of Sheba # 12:42 Literally “the queen of the south.” See 1 Kings 10:1–13. Sheba is modern-day Yemen. will rise up on the day of judgment to condemn this generation for its unbelief! She journeyed from a far and distant land just to hear the wisdom of King Solomon. Yet now there is one greater than Solomon speaking to you today.”
Demons
43“When a demon is cast out of a person, it roams around a dry region, looking for a place to rest, but never finds it. 44Then it says, ‘I’ll return to the house I moved out of,’ and so it goes back, only to find that the house is vacant, warm, and ready for it to move back in. # 12:44 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “swept clean and put in order.” 45So it goes looking for seven other demons more evil than itself, and they all enter together to live there. Then the person’s condition becomes much worse than it was in the beginning. This describes what will also happen to the people of this evil generation.”
Jesus’ True Family
46While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside, asking for him to come out and speak with them. 47Then someone said, “Look, your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to have a word with you.” 48But Jesus just looked at him and said, “Let me introduce you to my true mother and brothers.” 49Then gesturing to the disciples gathered around him, he said, “Look closely, for this is my true family. 50When you obey my heavenly Father, that makes you a part of my true family.” # 12:50 Our true identity is dependent upon our obedience to our Father in heaven.
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Matthew 12: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationMatthew 12
12
A question about the Sabbath
(Mark 2.23-28; Luke 6.1-5)
1One Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples were walking through some wheat fields.#12.1 walking through some wheat fields: It was the custom to let hungry travellers pick grains of wheat. His disciples were hungry and began picking and eating grains of wheat.#Dt 23.25. 2Some Pharisees noticed this and said to Jesus, “Why are your disciples picking grain on the Sabbath? They are not supposed to do that!”
3Jesus answered:#1 S 21.1-6.
You must have read what David did when he and his followers were hungry. 4He went into the house of God, and then they ate the sacred loaves of bread that only priests are supposed to eat.#Lv 24.9. 5Haven't you read in the Law of Moses that the priests are allowed to work in the temple on the Sabbath? But no one says that they are guilty of breaking the law of the Sabbath.#Nu 28.9,10. 6I tell you that there is something here greater than the temple. 7Don't you know what the Scriptures mean when they say, “Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others”? If you knew what this means, you would not condemn these innocent disciples of mine.#Mt 9.13; Ho 6.6. 8So the Son of Man is Lord over the Sabbath.
A man with a crippled hand
(Mark 3.1-6; Luke 6.6-11)
9Jesus left and went into one of the Jewish meeting places, 10where there was a man whose hand was crippled. Some Pharisees wanted to accuse Jesus of doing something wrong, and they asked him, “Is it right to heal someone on the Sabbath?”
11Jesus answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a ditch on the Sabbath, wouldn't you lift it out?#Lk 14.5. 12People are worth much more than sheep, and so it is right to do good on the Sabbath.” 13Then Jesus told the man, “Hold out your hand.” The man did, and it became as healthy as the other one.
14The Pharisees left and started making plans to kill Jesus.
God's chosen servant
15When Jesus found out what was happening, he left there and large crowds followed him. He healed all their sick, 16but warned them not to tell anyone about him. 17So God's promise came true, just as Isaiah the prophet had said,
18“Here is my chosen servant!#Is 42.1-4 (LXX).
I love him,
and he pleases me.
I will give him my Spirit,
and he will bring justice
to the nations.
19He won't shout or yell
or call out in the streets.
20He won't break off a bent reed
or put out a dying flame,
but he will make sure
that justice is done.
21All nations will place
their hope in him.”
Jesus and the ruler of the demons
(Mark 3.20-30; Luke 11.14-23; 12.10)
22Some people brought to Jesus a man who was blind and could not talk because he had a demon in him. Jesus healed the man, and then he was able to talk and see. 23The crowds were so amazed that they asked, “Could Jesus be the Son of David?”#12.23 Could Jesus be the Son of David: Or “Does Jesus think he is the Son of David?” See the note at 9.27.
24When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “He forces out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons!”#Mt 9.34; 10.25.
25Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said to them:
Any kingdom where people fight each other will end up ruined. And a town or family that fights will soon destroy itself. 26So if Satan fights against himself, how can his kingdom last? 27If I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons, whose power do your own followers use to force them out? Your followers are the ones who will judge you. 28But when I force out demons by the power of God's Spirit, it proves that God's kingdom has already come to you. 29How can anyone break into a strong man's house and steal his things, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can take everything.
30If you are not on my side, you are against me. If you don't gather in the harvest with me, you scatter it.#Mk 9.40. 31-32I tell you that any sinful thing you do or say can be forgiven. Even if you speak against the Son of Man, you can be forgiven. But if you speak against the Holy Spirit, you can never be forgiven, either in this life or in the life to come.#Lk 12.10.
A tree and its fruit
(Luke 6.43-45)
Jesus continued:
33A good tree produces only good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. You can tell what a tree is like by the fruit it produces.#Mt 7.20; Lk 6.44. 34You are evil snakes, so how can you say anything good? Your words show what is in your hearts.#Mt 3.7; 23.33; Lk 3.7; Mt 15.18; Lk 6.45. 35Good people bring good things out of their hearts, but evil people bring evil things out of their hearts. 36I promise you that on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless word they have spoken. 37On that day they will be told that they are either innocent or guilty because of the things they have said.
A sign from heaven
(Mark 8.11,12; Luke 11.29-32)
38Some Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a sign from heaven.”#Mt 16.1; Mk 8.11; Lk 11.16.
39But Jesus replied:#Mt 16.4; Mk 8.12.
You want a sign because you are evil and won't believe! But the only sign you will get is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40He was in the stomach of a big fish for three days and nights, just as the Son of Man will be deep in the earth for three days and nights.#Jon 1.17. 41On the day of judgment the people of Nineveh#12.41 Nineveh: During the time of Jonah this city was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, which was Israel's worst enemy. But Jonah was sent there to preach, so that the people would turn to the Lord and be saved. will stand there with you and condemn you. They turned to God when Jonah preached, and yet here is something far greater than Jonah.#Jon 3.5. 42The Queen of the South#12.42 Queen of the South: Sheba, probably a country in southern Arabia. will also stand there with you and condemn you. She travelled a long way to hear Solomon's wisdom, and yet here is something much greater than Solomon.#1 K 10.1-10; 2 Ch 9.1-12.
Return of an evil spirit
(Luke 11.24-26)
Jesus continued:
43When an evil spirit leaves a person, it travels through the desert, looking for a place to rest. But when the demon doesn't find a place, 44it says, “I will go back to the home I left.” When it gets there and finds the place empty, clean, and tidy, 45it goes off and finds seven other evil spirits even worse than itself. They all come and make their home there, and the person ends up in a worse state than before. That's how it will be with you evil people of today.
Jesus' mother and brothers
(Mark 3.31-35; Luke 8.19-21)
46While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside because they wanted to talk with him. 47Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to talk with you.”#12.47 with you: Some manuscripts do not have verse 47.
48Jesus answered, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” 49Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “These are my mother and my brothers! 50Anyone who obeys my Father in heaven is my brother or sister or mother.”
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