The Pharisees had introduced a large number of minute and absurd restrictions on Sabbath observance; so our Lord set Himself to recover the day of rest for the use of the people. He never hesitated, therefore, to work miracles of healing on that day, and so set at defiance the Pharisees and their evil amendments. He contended also that all ritual observance must take the secondary place, and that the primary concern must always be the deep and pressing claims of humanity. Thus it was perfectly legitimate for David to eat the showbread.
Even if a sheep should fall into a pit on the Sabbath, it would be lifted out by the most punctilious of ritualists. How absurd and illogical it was to prohibit deliverance to this man with his withered hand! Notice that this man's condition is symbolic of many who pose as good Christians, but do nothing. They have the power, but do not use it and it becomes atrophied. That power can be given back by Jesus. Dare to act and you will find yourself able to act. [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 12
1Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath, 3by scripture, 9by reason, 13and by a miracle 22He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute; 24and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub, 32he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven 36Account shall be made of idle words 38He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign, 46and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother
Greek Commentary for Matthew 12:6
One greater than the temple [του ιερου μειζον] Ablative of comparison, του ιερου tou hierou The Textus Receptus has μειζων meizōn but the neuter is correct. Literally, “something greater than the temple.” What is that? It may still be Christ, or it may be: “The work and His disciples were of more account than the temple” (Plummer). “If the temple was not subservient to Sabbath rules, how much less the Messiah!” (Allen). [source]
One greater [μείζων] The correct reading makes the adjective neuter, so that the right rendering is something greater (Rev., in margin). The reference is, of course, to Christ himself (compare Matthew 12:41,Matthew 12:42, where the neuter πλεῖον , more (so Rev., in margin), is used in the same way). Compare, also, John 2:19, where Christ speaks of his own body as a temple. The indefiniteness of the neuter gives a more solemn and impressive sense. [source]
Matthew 12:41In the judgment [εν τηι κρισει] Except here and in the next verse Matthew has “day of judgment” Note this use of εις eis just like εν en Note also πλειον pleion (neuter), not πλειων pleiōn (masc.). See the same idiom in Matthew 12:6 and Matthew 12:48. Jesus is something greater than the temple, than Jonah, than Solomon. “You will continue to disbelieve in spite of all I can say or do, and at last you will put me to death. But I will rise again, a sign for your confusion, if not for your conversion” (Bruce). [source]
Greek Commentary for Matthew 12:6
Ablative of comparison, του ιερου tou hierou The Textus Receptus has μειζων meizōn but the neuter is correct. Literally, “something greater than the temple.” What is that? It may still be Christ, or it may be: “The work and His disciples were of more account than the temple” (Plummer). “If the temple was not subservient to Sabbath rules, how much less the Messiah!” (Allen). [source]
The correct reading makes the adjective neuter, so that the right rendering is something greater (Rev., in margin). The reference is, of course, to Christ himself (compare Matthew 12:41, Matthew 12:42, where the neuter πλεῖον , more (so Rev., in margin), is used in the same way). Compare, also, John 2:19, where Christ speaks of his own body as a temple. The indefiniteness of the neuter gives a more solemn and impressive sense. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 12:6
Lit., something more. See on Matthew 12:6. [source]
Except here and in the next verse Matthew has “day of judgment” Note this use of εις eis just like εν en Note also πλειον pleion (neuter), not πλειων pleiōn (masc.). See the same idiom in Matthew 12:6 and Matthew 12:48. Jesus is something greater than the temple, than Jonah, than Solomon. “You will continue to disbelieve in spite of all I can say or do, and at last you will put me to death. But I will rise again, a sign for your confusion, if not for your conversion” (Bruce). [source]
See on sa40" translation="">Matthew 12:6.sa40 [source]
Lit., something more. See on Matthew 12:6. Wyc.,here is more than Solomon. [source]