Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:11-13
This is the third time in Matthew that Jesus argued for the superiority of human life over animal life (cf. Matthew 6:26; Matthew 10:31). His argument presupposed the special creation of man (Genesis 1-2). Jesus assumed, apparently with good reason, that the Pharisees would lift a sheep out of a pit on the Sabbath. His argument was again qal wahomer (from the light to the heavy, cf. Matthew 12:5-6). Neither the sheep in the illustration nor the man in the synagogue was in mortal danger. Jesus... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:9-14
The healing of a man with a withered hand 12:9-14 (cf. Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11)In the previous encounter Jesus appealed to Scripture, but in this one He did not. In that one His disciples were the targets of Pharisaic criticism, but in this one He was. read more