Matthew 12:1-21

Matthew 12:1-21

[1] 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.  [2] But  when the Pharisees  it, they said  unto him,  Behold,  disciples  do  that which  not  lawful  to do  upon  the sabbath day.  [3] But  he said  unto them,  not  read  what  David  did,  when  he  was an hungred,  and  they  that were with him;  [4] How  he entered into  the house  of God,  and  did eat  the shewbread,  which  not  lawful  for him  to eat,  neither for  them which  were with him,  only  for the priests?  [5] Or  not  read  in  the law,  how that  on the sabbath days  the priests  in  the temple  profane  the sabbath,  and  blameless?  [6] But  I say  That  in this place  the temple.  [7] But  if  ye had known  what  I will have  mercy,  and  not  sacrifice,  ye would  not  have condemned  the guiltless.  [8] For  the Son  of man  Lord  of the sabbath day.  [9] And  when he was departed  thence,  he went  into  their  synagogue:  [10] And,  behold,  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.  [11] And  he said  unto them,  What  man  among  that  shall have  one  sheep,  and  if  fall  into  a pit  on the sabbath day,  not  lay hold  on it,  and  lift it out?  [12] How much  then  is a man  better than  a sheep?  Wherefore  it is lawful  to do  well  on the sabbath days.  [13] Then  saith  he to the man,  Stretch forth  hand.  And  he stretched it forth;  and  it was restored  whole,  like as  the other.  [14] Then  the Pharisees  went out,  and held  a council  against  him,  how  they might destroy  him.  [15] But  when Jesus  knew  it, he withdrew himself  from thence:  and  great  multitudes  followed  him,  and  he healed  them  all;  [16] And  charged  them  make  him  known:  [17] it might be fulfilled  which  by  Esaias  the prophet,  saying,  [18] Behold  servant,  whom  I have chosen;  beloved,  in  whom  soul  is well pleased:  I will put  spirit  upon  him,  and  he shall shew  judgment  to the Gentiles.  [19] not  strive,  nor  cry;  neither  shall any man  hear  his  voice  in  the streets.  [20] A bruised  reed  not  break,  and  smoking  flax  not  quench,  till  he send forth  judgment  unto  victory.  [21] And  his  name  the Gentiles  trust. 

What does Matthew 12:1-21 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The first two instances of conflict that Matthew recorded arose over Sabbath observance. Sabbath observance was very important to the Jews. [1] It was a uniquely Israelite institution that commemorated the creation of the cosmos and the creation of Israel. Jewish rules of conduct concerning the Sabbath had become very detailed by Jesus" day.