MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:1 PLUCK HEADS OF GRAIN. The edges of a field were usually left unharvested so that the poor and hungry, foreigners, orphans, and widows could gather food for themselves (see Leviticus 19:9; Leviticus 23:22). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:2 PHARISEES. See note on 3:7. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:4 ATE THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE. Twelve loaves of bread were baked and placed in the tabernacle each Sabbath as an offering. The bread was to be eaten by THE PRIESTS (Leviticus 24:5). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:5 To carry out their duties, priests had to work on the Sabbath (and thus “PROFANE” it). That they were GUILTLESS in doing so shows that God made allowances within the law. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:7 “I DESIRE MERCY, AND NOT SACRIFICE.” See note on 9:13. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:8 THE SON OF MAN IS LORD OF THE SABBATH. Jesus does not challenge the Sabbath law itself but rather the Pharisees’ interpretation of it. Jesus points out the actual intent of the Sabbath—to bring rest and well-being. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img")... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:9 HEAL ON THE SABBATH. The rabbis had many regulations that defined what “work” was prohibited on the Sabbath. These legalistic regulations were never God’s intent for the OT law. Jesus’ opponents believed that the Sabbath could be broken only in extreme cases of life and... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:16 ORDERED THEM NOT TO MAKE HIM KNOWN. See note on 8:4; see 9:30; 16:20; 17:9. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:17 TO FULFILL WHAT WAS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET ISAIAH. This introduces Matthew’s longest OT quotation, from Isaiah 42:1. It comes from the “Servant Songs” (Isaiah 42:1). Depending on context, the “servant” represents either the nation of Israel or the gentle, Spirit-empowere... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:18 MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN, MY BELOVED. The Father expresses this same delight in his Son at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17) and at his transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). HE WILL PROCLAIM JUSTICE. The servant pronounces judgment on the rulers who reject him. BRUISED REED.... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:23 CAN THIS BE THE SON OF DAVID? See note on 9:27. The people thought of David as a warrior king. It was difficult for them to understand that this gentle healer could indeed be David’s promised Son. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, l... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:24 ONLY BY BEELZEBUL, THE PRINCE OF DEMONS. See note on 10:25. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:25 KNOWING THEIR THOUGHTS indicates Jesus knows all things. Therefore, he is to be recognized as God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:27 YOUR SONS. Possibly associates or disciples of the Pharisees. The crowd’s amazement in Luke 4:36 indicates that Jesus’ divine power to cast out demons “with a word” (Matthew 8:16) was unprecedented. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0,... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:28 The KINGDOM OF GOD is begun in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus exercises God’s kingdom power against Satan and his agents (see Ephesians 6:10). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:29 Jesus had bound Satan, THE STRONG MAN, making him powerless to prevent Jesus from proclaiming and demonstrating the good news of the kingdom. Satan’s HOUSE represents the sinful world over which Satan had power—until the coming of Christ. Jesus has come to PLUNDER HIS H... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:31 BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE SPIRIT WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN. This “blasphemy” involves giving Satan credit for what is accomplished by God’s power, while persistently rejecting God and his commands. This sin is committed today only by unbelievers who permanently reject the Holy S... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:36 THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. Christ’s second coming. BY YOUR WORDS YOU WILL BE JUSTIFIED. People’s words will be outward evidence of their inward character. “Justified” here means “shown to be righteous” rather than “declared righteous by God” (see notes on Gal. 2:16; James 2:2... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:38 A SIGN. Jesus had already performed many miracles (“signs”) that proved his messianic identity. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:39 ADULTEROUS refers here to unfaithfulness to God. Jesus knows these opponents have harmful motives (see Matthew 16:1). Jonah’s rescue by God was a SIGN to the people of Nineveh that his message was from God. Jesus’ death and resurrection (see Matthew 12:40) will likewise... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:40 THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS means the combination of any part of three separate days. Jesus was raised “in three days,” since he was buried Friday afternoon (day one), remained in the tomb Saturday (day two), and was resurrected Sunday morning (day three). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var im... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:42 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH. The queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1). Sheba was most likely in southwestern Arabia, in present-day Yemen. Jesus claims that he is GREATER THAN the temple (Matthew 12:6), the prophet Jonah (v. Matthew 12:41), and the wise king SOLOMON. These represent th... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:43 Demons were often associated with WATERLESS PLACES. Apparently deserts were thought of as lacking the blessing of God that came with rainfall and plentiful crops (see Jeremiah 17:6; Jeremiah 51:43). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:45 SEVEN. Linked in Scripture with completion or perfection. Here perhaps it signifies the completeness of demon possession once the demon returns. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:46 MOTHER AND... BROTHERS. There is no mention of “father,” which may indicate that Joseph had died by this time. Joseph is never mentioned after the trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was 12 (Luke 2:41). Jesus’ family may have been trying to “bring him to his senses” (compare M... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:49 HERE ARE MY MOTHER AND MY BROTHERS. Jesus’ messianic mission takes priority even over family loyalties. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]