Matthew · chapter 12 of 28
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Matthew 12 shows the growing conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees: Jesus declares himself Lord of the Sabbath, heals a man with a withered hand and is accused of casting out demons by Beelzebul. He answers with the warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, with the sign of Jonah and with the declaration that his true family are those who do the will of the Father.
After the invitation of Matthew 11, the opposition of the religious leaders becomes open in chapter 12. The arguments about the Sabbath and about the source of Jesus' power reveal hardened hearts in the Pharisees and present Jesus as Isaiah's Servant, greater than the temple, than Jonah and than Solomon.
On a Sabbath Jesus' disciples, hungry, pluck heads of grain as they pass through the fields, and the Pharisees accuse them of doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath. Jesus recalls how David and his men ate the bread of the Presence, and declares that something greater than the temple is here and that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. In the synagogue there is a man with a withered hand, and the Pharisees ask whether it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath so that they can accuse him. Jesus answers that anyone would rescue a sheep that fell into a pit, and a man is worth much more; it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, and he heals the hand. The Pharisees plot to destroy him.
Jesus withdraws, heals many and tells them not to make him known, fulfilling what Isaiah said of the chosen servant, who will not cry out or break a bruised reed, and in whose name the nations will hope. A blind and mute demon-possessed man is brought to him, and Jesus heals him. The crowds wonder whether he might be the Son of David, but the Pharisees say he casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus answers that a kingdom divided against itself will not stand, and that if he casts out demons by the Spirit of God, the kingdom of God has come upon them. Whoever is not with him is against him. Every blasphemy will be forgiven, but not blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Some scribes and Pharisees ask for a sign. Jesus answers that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah: three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, as the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh and the queen of the South will condemn this generation, for something greater than Jonah and than Solomon is here. When his mother and brothers seek him, Jesus points to his disciples and says that whoever does the will of his Father is his brother and sister and mother.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Jesus declares that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. The day of rest was given for the good of people, and the one with authority over it is the same one who instituted it.
Jesus argues that if a fallen sheep deserves rescue, how much more a person, and concludes that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. The law does not oppose mercy, though the Pharisees used it that way.
Jesus says that if he casts out demons by the Spirit of God, the kingdom of God has come upon them. His exorcisms are signs that the kingdom is already breaking into history and that the power of evil is being defeated.
Jesus says that whoever does the will of his Father in heaven is his brother and sister and mother. He does not despise his earthly family but shows that the family of the kingdom is defined by obedience to the Father.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: They plucked heads of grain and ate them because they were hungry. — Matthew 12:1-2
Answer: That anyone would pull a fallen sheep out of a pit on the Sabbath, and a person is worth much more. — Matthew 12:11-12
Answer: Of casting out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. — Matthew 12:24
Answer: Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. — Matthew 12:31-32
Answer: The sign of the prophet Jonah: three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. — Matthew 12:39-40
Answer: Whoever does the will of his Father in heaven. — Matthew 12:49-50
The chapter shows that one can know Scripture well and still close one's eyes to what God is doing. The Pharisees saw a healed hand and thought only of the rule. In a class or small group you can ask whether some religious habit of ours keeps us from rejoicing when God works in unexpected ways.
The last scene reminds us that God's family is formed by obedience. Ask what step of obedience to the Father you are putting off and which brother or sister in the faith needs your company this week.
Matthew 12 makes clear that Jesus is greater than the temple, than Jonah and than Solomon, and that his generation divides before him. In chapter 13 Jesus begins to teach in parables about the kingdom of heaven, beginning with the sower.
In context, it is stubbornly attributing to the power of the devil what is the clear work of God's Spirit in Jesus. Pastors often point out that someone who fears having committed it and wants forgiveness shows a heart that has not hardened, since the sin described is a persistent rejection of the Spirit's work.
Jesus ties it to his own death and resurrection: just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. He also notes that the Ninevites repented at Jonah's preaching, and here is someone greater than Jonah.
The text does not say he despised them. Jesus uses the moment to teach that the family he forms is defined by doing the Father's will. Other passages of the Gospels show his care for his mother, for example at the cross.