Matthew 12: The Sabbath, The Holy Spirit, and The Sign

Matthew 12: The Sabbath, The Holy Spirit, and The Sign

Collin Leong.  13 April 2025

 v1-13: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (1 Samuel 21:1-9; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5)

(v1-2) On a Sabbath day, Jesus went through the grainfields, and the disciples were hungry and pick some grains and ate them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Jesus that His disciples were doing what is unlawful on Sabbath. 

(v3-4) Jesus reminded them that David and his hungry companions ate the consecrated bread in the temple, which is unlawful to do, as the bread can only be eaten by the priest. This source of this story is from Samuel 21:1-6.  David was fleeing from King Saul and visited priest Ahimelech at the tabernacle of Nob. Ahimelech gave him and his people the consecrated bread. 

(v5) Jesus also reminded them that the priests on Sabbath duty desecrated the Sabbath and yet were innocent?  Jesus is referring to the priests performing their temple duties are actually "working" but was considered innocent, as they were serving God. 

Examples of this is found in Leviticus 6:12-13, where the priests were instructed to keep the fire on the altar burning continuously, even on the Sabbath. Similarly, Numbers 28:9-10 describes the additional sacrifices required on the Sabbath, which involved manual labor.

(v6) Then Jesus told the Pharisees that something greater than the temple is here.  Jesus was referring to Himself as someone greater than the temple, emphasizing His divine authority and the fact that He embodies God's presence and purpose in a way that surpasses the temple

(v7) Jesus told them that if they understood what the words "I desire mercy, not sacrifice", then they would not have condemned the innocent.  Jesus quoted from Hosea 6:6, where God prefer love and mercy over sacrifice. 

(v8) Finally, Jesus said: "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”   Mark added another phrase before this statement:  “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)

The Pharisees knows that Jesus is referring to Himself that the "Son of Man."  Daniel 7:13-14, where the "Son of Man" is depicted as a divine figure with authority and an everlasting kingdom. By using this title, Jesus was asserting His divine authority, including His lordship over the Sabbath. This statement must have been provocative and blasphemous to the Pharisee, as Jesus claims to be equal to God as the "Lord of the Sabbath."

v9-14: Jesus Heals on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11)

(v9-10) Jesus then went into the synagogue and a man with shriveled hand was there. The religious leaders ask Jesus if it is lawful to heal on a Sabbath? It's a trick question to make Jesus commit blasphemy. 

A "shriveled hand" is often interpreted as a condition affecting the hand's functionality and appearance, such as paralysis, atrophy, or a contracture deformity. In modern medical terminology, it could correspond to conditions like muscle atrophy, cerebral palsy or Dupuytren's contracture. 

These condition cannot be healed even today, but can be managed through therapy and medicine. Surgical interventions or enzyme injections can help to release the tightened tissues and restore hand function for those with Dupuytren's Contracture. 

(v11-12) Jesus asked them if they have a sheep that fell into a pit on Sabbath, wouldn't they pull it out? A person is much more valuable than a sheep. Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. 

(v13-14) Jesus asked the man to stretch out his hand, and when he did, the hand was completely restored and as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how to kill Jesus.  

v15-21: God's Chosen Servant

(v15-16) Jesus knew they were planning to kill Him, so he withdrew from that place.  A large crowd followed Him and he healed all who were ill. He told them not to tell others. 

(v17-21) This was to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy:

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;  I will put my Spirit on him and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.”  (Isaiah 42:1-4)  

Taken from Isaiah in the same NIV version, it says:  “ (1) Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. (2) He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. (3) A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; (4) he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

Isaiah 42, verses 2 and 3 are describing the servant's (the Messiah's) humility, unlike worldly leaders who seek attention and power. He cares for the weak and vulnerable - a "bruised reed" symbolizes those who are fragile or broken, while a "smoldering wick" represents those whose faith or hope is faint. The servant nurtures and restores rather than discards or condemns.

v22-37: A House Divided (Mark 3:20-27; Luke 11:14-23)

(v22-23) Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. Jesus healed him so he could talk and see. The people were astonished and said "Could this be the Son of David?"   The people was considering if Jesus was the promised Messiah. (See 2 Sam 7:12-16; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5)

(v24)  However, the Pharisees tried to discourage the people, and said Jesus ("this fellow") drives out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons.   

Beelzebul, also known as Beelzebub, is derived from the Philistine god "Baal-Zebub," meaning "Lord of the Flies" (2 Kings 1:2). Over time, the name evolved into "Beelzebul," which translates to "Lord of Dung" or "Lord of Filth," and became a term of contempt. In the New Testament, Beelzebul is referred to as the "prince of demons" and is often associated with Satan.

(v25-27) Jesus knew their thoughts and said that if a kingdom is divided against itself, it will be ruined. Similarly, a city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself, then how can his kingdom stand? And if it is by Beelzebul, then who did the temple people drive them out? The temple exorcists will judge the  Pharisees' words.. 

While the Pharisees know Satan's kingdom will eventually fall, but it is not because Satan was working against himself. He will fall when it was time for God to judge him. Jesus turned the arguments around and ask them who did their own people cast of demons. Did they also cast out by Beelzebul, or cast out by the power of God? 

(v28-29) Jesus said it is by the Spirit of God that He drives out the demons, and the kingdom of God has come. He gave a metaphor that you can only enter a "strong man" house and carry off his possessions after you bound up the strong man. Then you can plunder his house.  

Here, the "strong man" represents Satan, and the "house" symbolizes his domain or influence. Jesus is essentially saying that He has "bound the strong man" (Satan), which allows Him to liberate people from demonic possession and oppression. It is a sign of His divine authority and the arrival of God's kingdom.

(v30)  He continued to say: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."  Those who reject Him or fail to support His mission are, in effect, working against God's purposes. 

To "scatter" is the opposite of "gathering," which symbolizes bringing people together in alignment with Jesus' teachings and the kingdom of God. Scattering, on the other hand, implies division, disunity, or leading others away from God's truth.

(v31-32)  Jesus said that every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age of age to come. 

Speaking against the Son of Man, which refers to Jesus in His human form, can be forgiven because it may stem from ignorance, misunderstanding, or a lack of recognition of His divine nature. However, if the man eventually change his heart by agreeing with the Holy Spirit, then he can be forgiven. 

However, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is different. It involves a deliberate and persistent rejection of the Spirit's work and testimony about Jesus, attributing it to evil. This reflects a hardened heart that refuses to acknowledge God's truth, making repentance, rejecting of God's grace and the means of salvation from Jesus. then forgiveness is impossible.

(v33-35) Jesus said that if a tree is good, the fruit will be good; if a tree is bad, the fruit will be bad. A tree is recognized by its fruit. He told the Pharisees directly that they are a "brood of vipers", and nothing the say will be good since they are evil. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things stored up in him. 

(v36-37) Everyone will give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. 

Jesus emphasizes the significance of our words, stating that everyone will have to give an account for every careless or idle word spoken on the Day of Judgment. He explains that our words reflect the condition of our hearts and that they hold weight in determining our accountability.

Our speech is an important thing to be careful about, not just for now but when Christ comes again. These are other verses that instruct us on what we say:

1. Proverbs 21:23: "Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity."
2. Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
3. James 1:19: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."
4. Proverbs 18:21: "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
5. Colossians 4:6: "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

v38-45: The Sign of Jonah (Luke 11:29-32; Luke 11:24-26)

(v38-40) Then the Pharisees and teachers of the law told Jesus they want to see a sign. Jesus replied and said "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah."  

Jesus has been doing miracles right in front of the Pharisees, and yet they still haven't believe. Perhaps it is still not enough. Perhaps they are expecting Him to command fire from the sky or dramatic display of divine power. 

There is really no point to give them another sign, as they will give another excuse not to believe, like assigning it to the power of Satan.  The only sign is the sign of Jonah. As Jonah was 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of the fish, so the Son of Man will be 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth. (v40). 

Was Jesus really buried for 3 days and 3 nights? Most people are confused about this. He died on Friday, which has a day and a night; Saturday has a day and a night; however, Sunday he rose on the morning, thus it has a day, but no nights. According to our language,  He is only buried for 3 days and 2 nights. 

However, Jesus used the Hebrew traditional way of counting the days. They do not use a 24-hour day. A partial day is still a day. 

An example can be found in Esther 4:16, where Esther asked Mordecai to persuade the Jews to fast, in preparation for her to find favor from the king. She said: “Neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day”

However, in Esther 5:1, we read: “Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace.” If three days and nights were counted in the same way as we count them today, then Esther could not have seen the king until the fourth day. 

Similarly, Jesus follows the language, tradition and culture of that time, and He was saying that he will be raised on the 3rd day, not after the 3rd day.

(v41-42)  Jesus continued to say that the men of Nineveh will stand up in judgement of this generation and condemned it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now someone greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will also judge this generation as she came from a distant to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and someone greater than Solomon is here. 

Jesus is emphasizing the faith of the gentiles, whom did not ask for signs, but was willing to understand and accept God's message to them. However, the religious leaders who has the Torah with them, refused to humble themselves to do so, even when the Son spoke to them and did miracles in front of them. 

(v43-45)  Jesus gave a metaphor of a impure spirit that came out from a person, and couldn't find another host. Then the spirit decided to return to it's previous "house" and found it clean and put in order, but it was unoccupied. Then the spirit invited seven other spirits that are more wicked, and they went into the man and live there. The final condition of the person is worse then the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation. 

v46-50:  Jesus' Mother and Brothers (Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21)

(v46-50) When Jesus was talking to the crowd, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. Someone informed Jesus. Jesus asked them, who is His mother and His brothers? It is whoever that does the will of His Father in heaven is His brother and sister and mother. 

Jesus really meant that the believers are His family members. He define family as those who has spiritual relationship with God. This also mean that the believers themselves are a family too. This is even more significant than biological ties, as the relationship will last forever. 

This teaching was radical at the time, as family bonds were central to identity in Jewish culture. Jesus' words invite believers to see themselves (including the gentiles) as part of a larger, divine family united by faith and obedience to God.