Matthew 12
12
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
1At that time #Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1–5Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to #Deut. 23:25pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”
3But He said to them, “Have you not read #Ex. 31:15; 35:2; 1 Sam. 21:6what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4how he entered the house of God and ate #Ex. 25:30; Lev. 24:5the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, #Ex. 29:32; Lev. 8:31; 24:9but only for the priests? 5Or have you not read in the #Num. 28:9; (John 7:22)law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? 6Yet I say to you that in this place there is #(2 Chr. 6:18; Is. 66:1, 2; Mal. 3:1); Matt. 12:41, 42One greater than the temple. 7But if you had known what this means, #(1 Sam. 15:22; Hos. 6:6; Mic. 6:6–8); Matt. 9:13‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Healing on the Sabbath
9#Mark 3:1–6; Luke 6:6–11Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 10And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, #Luke 13:14; 14:3; John 9:16“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him.
11Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. 14Then #Ps. 2:2; Matt. 27:1; Mark 3:6; (Luke 6:11); John 5:18; 10:39; 11:53the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.
Behold, My Servant
15But when Jesus knew it, #Matt. 10:23; Mark 3:7He withdrew from there. #Matt. 19:2And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. 16Yet He #Matt. 8:4; 9:30; 17:9warned them not to make Him known, 17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
18“Behold! #Is. 42:1–4; 49:3My Servant whom I have chosen,
My Beloved #Matt. 3:17; 17:5in whom My soul is well pleased!
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.
19He will not quarrel nor cry out,
Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
20A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench,
Till He sends forth justice to victory;
21And in His name Gentiles will trust.”
A House Divided Cannot Stand
22#Matt. 9:32; (Mark 3:11); Luke 11:14, 15Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the #Matt. 9:27; 21:9Son of David?”
24#Matt. 9:34; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
25But Jesus #Matt. 9:4; John 2:25; Rev. 2:23knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, #(Dan. 2:44; 7:14; Luke 1:33); 11:20; (17:20, 21; 1 John 3:8)surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29#Is. 49:24; (Luke 11:21–23)Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
The Unpardonable Sin
31“Therefore I say to you, #Mark 3:28–30; Luke 12:10; (Heb. 6:4–6; 10:26, 29; 1 John 5:16)every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, #Acts 7:51but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32Anyone who #Matt. 11:19; 13:55; John 7:12, 52speaks a word against the Son of Man, #1 Tim. 1:13it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.
A Tree Known by Its Fruit
33“Either make the tree good and #Matt. 7:16–18; Luke 6:43, 44; (John 15:4–7)its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34#Matt. 3:7; 23:33; Luke 3:7Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? #1 Sam. 24:13; Is. 32:6; (Matt. 15:18); Luke 6:45; Eph. 4:29; (James 3:2–12)For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
The Scribes and Pharisees Ask for a Sign
38#Matt. 16:1; Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16; John 2:18; 1 Cor. 1:22Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
39But He answered and said to them, “An evil and #Is. 57:3; Matt. 16:4; Mark 8:38; (Luke 11:29–32); John 4:48adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40#Jon. 1:17; Luke 24:46; Acts 10:40; 1 Cor. 15:4For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41#Jon. 3:5; Luke 11:32The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and #Jer. 3:11; Ezek. 16:51; (Rom. 2:27)condemn it, #Jon. 3:5because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. 42#1 Kin. 10:1–13; 2 Chr. 9:1; Luke 11:31The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.
An Unclean Spirit Returns
43#Luke 11:24–26“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, #(Job 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:8)he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; #Mark 5:9; Luke 11:26; (Heb. 6:4–8; 10:26; 2 Pet. 2:20–22)and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Send for Him
46While He was still talking to the multitudes, #Mark 3:31–35; Luke 8:19–21behold, His mother and #Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3; John 2:12; 7:3, 5; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 9:5; Gal. 1:19brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47Then one said to Him, “Look, #Matt. 13:55, 56; John 2:12; Acts 1:14Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”
48But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My #John 20:17; (Rom. 8:29)brothers! 50For #John 15:14; (Gal. 5:6; 6:15; Col. 3:11; Heb. 2:11)whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
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Matthew 12: NKJV
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Matthew 12
12
A Discussion about the Sabbath
1At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”
3Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. 5And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 6I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 7But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’#12:7 Hos 6:6 (Greek version). 8For the Son of Man#12:8 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
9Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)
11And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. 12And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”
13Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! 14Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.
Jesus, God’s Chosen Servant
15But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:
18“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.
He is my Beloved, who pleases me.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19He will not fight or shout
or raise his voice in public.
20He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
21And his name will be the hope
of all the world.”#12:18-21 Isa 42:1-4 (Greek version for 42:4).
Jesus and the Prince of Demons
22Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. 23The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”
24But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan,#12:24 Greek Beelzeboul; also in 12:27. Other manuscripts read Beezeboul; Latin version reads Beelzebub. the prince of demons.”
25Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 28But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.
30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
The Sign of Jonah
38One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.”
39But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
41 “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 42The queen of Sheba#12:42 Greek The queen of the south. will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.
43 “When an evil # 12:43 Greek unclean. spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. 44Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. 45Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”
The True Family of Jesus
46As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 47Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.”#12:47 Some manuscripts do not include verse 47. Compare Mark 3:32 and Luke 8:20.
48Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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