The Gospel According to
Matthew 12
50 verses≈ 8 min4 peopleBSB
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In this chapter
The Lord of the Sabbath
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
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Pharisees & scribes
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
Jesus
Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.
Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?
But I tell you that One greater than the temple is here.
If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
I desire mercy, not sacrifice
Matthew 12:7
For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
Moving on from there, Jesus entered their synagogue, and a man with a withered hand was there.
Pharisees & scribes
In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
He replied, “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep!
Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored to full use, just like the other.
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
God’s Chosen Servant
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all, warning them not to make Him known.
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
a smoldering wick He will not extinguish
Matthew 12:20
A House Divided
Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed the man so that he could speak and see. The crowds were astounded and asked, “Could this be the Son of David?”
Pharisees & scribes
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.”
Jesus
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
the kingdom of God has come upon you
Matthew 12:28
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
By whose power?
Whiteboard
The Pharisees could not deny the miracle, so they questioned its source. Jesus shows their charge makes no sense: Satan would be tearing down his own house. The only answer left is the right one. God’s Spirit is at work, and the King has arrived.
Question
Quick question
A blind and mute man was healed, and he could speak and see. The crowds and the Pharisees reacted very differently.
What did the astounded crowds ask?
The Unpardonable Sin
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the 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 one to come.
Good and Bad Fruit
Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.
out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks
Matthew 12:34
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:37
Reflect
What overflows
Jesus says, “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Think back over the words you said yesterday, kind or careless. What do they tell you about what is stored in your heart? Ask Him to fill it with something good.
The Sign of Jonah
Some scribes
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
Jesus
Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
now One greater than Solomon is here
Matthew 12:42
An Unclean Spirit Returns
When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’
On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order.
Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.”
But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” 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.”
0:29
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother
Matthew 12:50
Pray
Part of the family
Pointing to His disciples, Jesus said, “Here are My mother and My brothers.” Thank Him that He brings ordinary followers into His own family. Ask for a heart that wants to do “the will of My Father in heaven” today.
You’ve experienced
Matthew 12
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A verse to carry with you
A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.
Matthew 12:20
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