Matthew 12:2-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:5

Matthew only. Or. A second example, if the first does not convince you. Have ye not read in the Law . Beyond which there is no appeal. Jewish authors often appeal to Scripture in the order of Hagio-graphs, Prophets, and, last of all, Law. He here refers to Le Matthew 24:8 (cf. also 1 Chronicles 9:32 ), but Bengel's suggestive remark that Leviticus was read in the services at that very time of year is vitiated by the double uncertainty, first, what time of year it really was; and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:6

Matthew only. But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple ( τοῦ ἱεροῦ μειζόν ἐστιν ὧδε ); "Gr. a greater thing ". A similarly difficult neuter is found in verses 41, 45. If the neuter be insisted upon, we must understand Christ to refer to his cause, the work in which the disciples were engaged. This was greater than the temple; lunch more, therefore, was it greater than the sabbath. Probably, however, our Lord is referring to himself, to his own Person... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:7

Matthew only. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I wilt have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless (on the quotation, see Matthew 9:13 , note). Had you learned the simple Bible truth that God places the exercise of your moral faculties, particularly those of kindness, above merely external observances, you would not have committed this sin of taking up the position of wrong judges. He traces their error up to its true source, ignorance of the first... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:8

Parallel passages: Mark 2:28 ; Luke 6:5 . For . With immediate refer-once to guiltless. The Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day ; is Lord of the sabbath (Revised Version); ere , being added in the Received Text from Mark and Luke. Christ clinches the argument, and at the same time explains his phrase in verse 6. The temple is greater than the sabbath; I am greater than the temple; these my disciples are therefore guiltless; for, to put it briefly, I, whom they are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:8

The Lord of the sabbath. Sabbath observance had been exalted into the chief position in the Jewish religion, so that to "sabbatize" was a proverbial expression, used to describe the following of Judaism, even among Latin writers, it was not the Law, it was the trivial and yet burdensome additions to the Law, that marked the later Jewish keeping of the sabbath, Many of these observances were as lax in spirit as they were strict in regard to the letter, and thus it was that the hypocrisy of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:8

The sabbath an agency within Christ's control. "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day." It would open up a most interesting subject if we were to inquire whether our Lord spoke these words in his personal or in his representative capacity—whether he meant, "I, as an individual, am Lord of the sabbath," or whether he recant, "Every man, if he is a true man, with right motives and purposes, is lord of his sabbath, and has both the power and the liberty to arrange it as he thinks... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:2

Upon the Sabbath day - The Pharisees, doubtless desirous of finding fault with Christ, said that in plucking the grain on the “Sabbath day” they had violated the commandment. Moses had commanded the Hebrews to abstain from all servile work on the Sabbath, Exodus 20:10; Exodus 35:2-3; Numbers 15:32-36. On any other day this would have been clearly lawful, for it was permitted, Deuteronomy 23:25. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:3

But he said unto them ... - To vindicate his disciples, he referred them to a similar case, recorded in the Old Testament, and therefore one with which they ought to have been acquainted. This was the case of David. The law commanded that twelve loaves of bread should be laid on the table in the holy place in the tabernacle, to remain a week, and then to be eaten by the “priests only.” Their place was then supplied by fresh “bread.” This was called the “showbread,” Leviticus 24:5-9. David,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:4-5

How he entered into the house of God - That is, the “tabernacle,” the temple not being then built.Have ye not read in the law? - In the law, or in the books of Moses.Profane the Sabbath - He referred them to the conduct of the priests also. On the Sabbath days they were engaged, as well as on other days, in killing beasts for sacrifice, Numbers 28:9-10. Two lambs were killed on the Sabbath, in addition to the daily sacrifice. The priests must be engaged in killing them, and making fires to burn... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:6-7

One greater than the temple - Here the Saviour refers to himself, and to his own dignity and power. “I have power over the laws; I can grant to my disciples a dispensation from those laws. An act which I command or permit them to do is therefore right.” This proves that he was divine. None but God can authorize people to do a thing contrary to the divine laws. He refers them again Matthew 12:7 to a passage he had before quoted (See the notes at Matthew 9:13), showing that God preferred acts of... read more

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