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The Gospel of Matthew
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BIBLE STUDY MATTHEW 12:1-50 REVIEW: The overall theme of chapter 11 was that Jesus is indeed the Christ (Messiah) who is to come. In the first part of the chapter, Jesus contrasted his ministry with that of John the Baptist; and invited John to reconsider what his Messiahship was about – namely, to proclaim God’s Good News and to help people to experience God’s love rather than being a bearer of God’s Judgment. Jesus praises John, but yet also states that he is not fully a part of God’s kingdom – at least in the sense of fully understanding God’s love. Next, Jesus turned his attention to those who rejected the messages given by both him and John. Many rejected John’s message because of his ascetic lifestyle, but then turned around and rejected Jesus’ message because of his “partying” lifestyle! Nevertheless, changes in people’s lives were the “proof” that their ministries were indeed from God! After chastising and warning cities of the consequences of rejecting his ministry, Jesus speaks to people who are trying to find peace with God through trying to observe the Law – inviting them to follow HIM and his teaching. Through doing this, they will “find rest for (their) souls” because through him they can understand and experience God’s LOVE. INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER 12: Chapter 12 highlights the gathering forces of hostility and rejection to Jesus and his ministry. Everything that Jesus says or does is being judged and criticized by the Pharisees, scribes, and (at the end of the chapter) even by his own family. Jesus refuses to back down from his teachings and actions in the face of conflict – thereby starting down a path of controversies that will ultimately lead to his crucifixion. CHAPTER 12:1-14 “Two Sabbath Controversies”“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. But if you had know what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” This is the first of two Sabbath controversies Jesus had with the Pharisees. The problem here was not that the disciples were “stealing” by plucking and eating heads of grain from the grainfields. Indeed, this activity was expressly permitted for passers-by in Deuteronomy 23:25. The issue was that this was being done on the Sabbath, during which no “work” of any sort was to be done (Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 5:12-14). The Jewish Mishnah defined 39 principle classes of “work” that were prohibited on the Sabbath – and two of them were being violated here: 1) reaping (which was what the disciples were doing by plucking the heads of grain); and 2) threshing (which the disciples were doing by eating them – Luke’s gospel (Luke 6:1) explicitly says that they were “rubbing them in their hands”). The Pharisees took the prohibition against “work” on the Sabbath very seriously. Jesus probably did also, but not to the extent that this should interfere with meeting human needs. The Sabbath law was given for our good (we need a time for rest on a regular, weekly basis), not to be something that keeps us from meeting reasonable needs (such as satisfying one’s hunger). To answer the criticism of the Pharisees, Jesus put forth two arguments showing that sometimes the law can be set aside to meet a greater need: 1) David and his companions ate the sacred bread of the presence (1 Samuel 21:1-6) to satisfy their hunger, even though normally only the priests were supposed to eat it; 2) the priests in the temple worked even on the Sabbath, because having worship and offering sacrifices there on that day was understood to be very important (more important than shutting the temple down every Sabbath day). Jesus is probably referring to himself and his teaching when he tells the Pharisees that “something greater than the temple is here.” Focusing upon God’s love and compassion as shown through his ministry was more important than observing the details of temple worship. Jesus also quotes Hosea 6:6 to show that God is more interested in our showing mercy (meeting human needs) than observing ritual requirements. Finally, Jesus states, “the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” Commentators have differing understandings of what this means. It could refer to himself as having more authority than the Sabbath law. In the original Greek language, however, “Son of Man” is not capitalized – and the term could simply be a reference to humans in general. In this case, Jesus is simply saying that the Sabbath is for our benefit rather than the other way around. (Indeed, that claim is explicitly stated in Mark 2:27.) I (Pastor George) believe that this second meaning is probably the most correct. “He left that place and entered their synagogue; a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath?” so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.” Here the Pharisees seem to be looking for a fight – Matthew indicates that they deliberately point out the man with a withered hand in order to see what Jesus would do. Most Jews of Jesus’ day believed that it was permissible to break the Sabbath law in case of extreme danger or need – and that even applied to their livestock. (Otherwise, the animal might die and the owners would be deprived of their investment.) On the other hand, it was held that ONLY immediate dangers or needs should be dealt with on the Sabbath – otherwise the “work” should wait until the Sabbath was over. The man with the withered hand was certainly in the “not immediate need” category. Again, Jesus shows the principle that meeting human needs (“doing good”) is more important than ritual details of the Sabbath law. The Sabbath therefore did not prohibit him from healing the man with the withered hand on that day. And likewise, the Sabbath prohibition against “work” never should be used as a reason to keep US from helping others at any time – even on the Sabbath day! The Pharisees, however, were filled with rage about Jesus’ apparent disregard of the Sabbath and began to plot how they could destroy him (although at this point it is not indicated that they actually wanted to kill him). It is clear that they saw the LAW as being more important than PEOPLE. CHAPTER 12:15-21 “Jesus as God’s Servant”“When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, and he ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.” Jesus had stood up for his disciples’ right to pluck and eat grain on the Sabbath, and he had healed a man in need on the Sabbath – but not in order to deliberately provoke a conflict situation with the Pharisees. When he became aware of their anger, he departed rather than to argue with them further – that certainly would not have helped the Sabbath to be a day of rest and renewal! Sometimes the best thing to do in the midst of conflict is to take “time out” rather than to escalate problems further. Crowds of other people who were sick, however, followed him – and he cured them. Presumably this is still on the Sabbath day – and perhaps that is why Jesus ordered them not to make him known. He did not wish to make the Pharisees even more upset with him than they already were. How different this was from prophets who almost seem to delight in creating conflict situations! (Some Christians, calling this “prophetic ministry”, do this even today.) Jesus, however, did not try to deliberately provoke conflict. Matthew cites a prophecy from Isaiah to explain Jesus’ policy of “non-confrontation” whenever possible. The way to achieve God’s justice is NOT by arguing with or shouting at or putting others down. God’s justice is rather achieved simply by our showing his love and compassion to others in what we say and do. People’s hearts are changed not through confrontation, but through self-giving love. Isaiah’s prophecy mentions “the Gentiles” twice. In this case, I (Pastor George) do not believe that Matthew intended this to literally refer to non-Jews (indeed, up to this point in his gospel he has even specifically commanded his disciples to not go among the Gentiles) – but rather to illustrate that the crowds were those who felt estranged from God’s love. To many of them, the strict legalism of the Pharisees had created a religion that seemed to be only a burden. Through Jesus, however, God’s love and compassion became a very real and personal part of their lives! CHAPTER 12:22-32 “By The Power of Satan or of God?” “Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” The people of Jesus’ time believed that demons filled the air and were the cause of all kinds of maladies – both mental and physical. These evil spirits were ruled by “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) – whose name was Beelzebul. To heal the man’s condition of blindness and muteness would mean casting out the demon(s) responsible for this condition. A messianic prophecy in Isaiah 35:5-6 was that “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped…” When Jesus literally fulfilled this prophecy by healing the blind and mute man, the crowds naturally begin to think that Jesus might indeed be “The Son of David” – the MESSIAH! “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.” He knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? For if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Even Jesus’ enemies admit his powers as an exorcist – so they are now in a dilemma. If they admit that he is doing the work of God in this case, they will then also have to admit the validity of his other teachings (such as about the Sabbath) as well. Therefore, instead of simply rejoicing and giving praise to God for the man’s healing, they instead try to put the worst possible construction upon what Jesus has done by saying that his power to heal comes from Beelzebul! Jesus answers their accusation with a very logical argument. God’s work is good, and Satan’s work is evil. For them to do otherwise would mean that they are working to destroy what they stand for! Satan will NOT do good in order to bring about his evil kingdom! Jesus also points out that other exorcists of his day have healed people – and that they are NOT working at “cross purposes.” When healing, they are ALL doing the work of God. Therefore, if it is not Satan (Beelzebul) who is the source of Jesus’ power, it MUST be the power of God! Jesus portrays himself as being one who is tying up the strong man (Satan) and plundering his house – that is, freeing those who are under his power. For the Pharisees to be against the work of Jesus means that they are therefore setting themselves against God’s work! “Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” The “unpardonable sin” is to refuse to let the Holy Spirit work in one’s life. The Pharisees were being confronted with a powerful example that God was working through the ministry of Jesus, yet their only reaction was to denounce him. Therefore, because they “hardened their hearts” the Holy Spirit could not bring them to faith and repentance. As Christians, we believe that only the Holy Spirit can give us faith and make us holy. And we believe that God wants to give his Holy Spirit to everyone. But people always have the choice to refuse to let the Holy Spirit into their lives – and that is what the Pharisees were doing by setting their hearts against Jesus. By refusing to let the Spirit work in their lives, they could not receive forgiveness from and reconciliation with God. CHAPTER 12:33-37 “Hearts and Words”“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” The words of a person show the true character of one’s heart. A person who has a loving and compassionate heart will speak loving and compassionate words – and a person who is bitter and hateful within will speak bitter and hateful words. The Pharisees had showed the true character of their hearts by calling him an ally of the devil after he had healed the blind and mute man. Note that Jesus says that one will have to give an account for every careless word one utters. This is because it is the “careless” (spontaneous) words that we say which are the true indicators of what we are really like within. We could perhaps speak carefully thought out words that are not what we are truly feeling, but eventually our unguarded words show our true selves. CHAPTER 12:38-42 “The Sign of Jonah”“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!” The “sign” that Jesus’ opponents were asking for was more than a miracle (after all, they had just witnessed one in the healing of the blind and mute man!), but something that would absolutely prove to them that he was indeed from God. The fact is, however, nothing would have satisfied them – they had already made up their minds against Jesus. That is why Jesus calls them “an evil and adulterous (apostate) generation” – because they refuse to recognize the truth. If they were indeed people of God, they would have praised his ministry and teaching. The “sign of the prophet Jonah” is two-fold:
CHAPTER 12:43-45 “The Danger of an Empty Heart”“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.” “Nature abhors a vacuum”, and the same is true for us in our spiritual lives. Once we have given up a sin (such as alcoholism, or anything else), we must have something else to claim our life! We may cast out a demon from within, but something (a loving and committed relationship with God) must then take its place, or else the demons will come back “seven-fold”. The Pharisees and scribes supposedly had gotten rid of all their “demons” and outwardly lived righteous lives. But within, their hearts were empty of love. By refusing to let God’s love through Jesus become a part of them, they were “inviting” Satan’s demons to possess them totally! CHAPTER 12:46-50 “Jesus’ True Family”“While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew “tones down” this story from Mark 3 – in which it is told that Jesus’ family went out to restrain him because people were saying, “He is beside himself!” John in his gospel says that “even (Jesus’) brothers did not believe in him.” (John 7:5) The sad truth is that sometimes one’s own family can be a source of pain. This certainly was sometimes so for Jesus. Jesus understood that his true family consisted of his disciples who loved him and sought to do God’s will. Daniel J. Harrington in his commentary on The Gospel of Matthew also states that possibly this passage may have had some significance to Matthew’s community – a subtle criticism of a Christian group (the Jerusalem church?) that took its leadership from the relatives of Jesus (such as James, Jude, etc.). True “family” in the church should never be based upon “blood ties”, but only upon a common love for and obedience to God. -------------------- George R. Karres, Pella Lutheran Church 418 W. Main Street Sidney, MT 59270
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