Matthew 12:5-7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 12:1-13

The Jewish teachers had corrupted many of the commandments, by interpreting them more loosely than they were intended; a mistake which Christ discovered and rectified (Matt. 5:1-48) in his sermon on the mount: but concerning the fourth commandment, they had erred in the other extreme, and interpreted it too strictly. Note, it is common for men of corrupt minds, by their zeal in rituals, and the external services of religion, to think to atone for the looseness of their morals. But they are... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 12:1-50

In Matthew 12:1-50 we read the history of a series of crucial events in the life of Jesus. In every man's life there are decisive moments, times and events on which the whole of his life hinges. This chapter presents us with the story of such a period in the life of Jesus. In it we see the orthodox Jewish religious leaders of the day coming to their final decision regarding Jesus--and that was rejection. It was not only rejection in the sense that they would have nothing to do with him; it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:5

Or have ye not read in the law ,.... Numbers 28:9 by which law the priests were obliged, every sabbath day, to offer up two lambs for a burnt offering; to which were annexed many servile works, as killing the sacrifice, flaying it, cutting it in pieces, and laying it on the altar, cutting of wood, and putting that in order, and kindling the fire: from all which, it might be observed, how that on the sabbath days, the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless . There... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:6

But I say unto you ,.... Who Christ knew would be ready to object, as above, and therefore prevents them, by saying, that in this place is one greater than the temple ; meaning himself, who was the Lord and Proprietor of the temple, and in his human nature the antitype of it; see John 2:19 and was infinitely more sacred than that. Some copies read μειζον , "something greater"; referring either to the human nature of Christ, in which the Godhead dwells bodily, and so infinitely... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:7

But if ye had known what this meaneth , The passage of Scripture in Hosea 6:6 I will have mercy, and not sacrifice ; of the sense of which, see Gill on Matthew 9:13 . ye would not have condemned the guiltless . Our Lord taxes the Pharisees both with ignorance of the Scriptures, in which they pretended to be very knowing, and took upon them to be the interpreters of; and with inhumanity, for condemning innocent persons, the apostles, for rubbing a few ears of corn, for the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:5

The priests - profane the Sabbath - Profane, i.e. put it to what might be called a common use, by slaying and offering up sacrifices, and by doing the services of the temple, as on common days, Exodus 29:38 ; Numbers 28:9 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:6

In this place is one greater than the temple - Does not our Lord refer here to Malachi 3:1 ;? Compare this with Hebrews 3:3 . The Jews esteemed nothing greater than the temple, except that God who was worshipped in it. Christ, by asserting he was greater than the temple, asserts that he was God; and this he does, in still more direct terms, Matthew 12:8 , The Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath - is Institutor and Governor of it. Compare this with Genesis 2:3 ; (note), and see the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:7

I will have mercy, etc. - See this explained, Matthew 9:13 . There are four ways in which positive laws may cease to oblige. First, by the natural law of necessity. Secondly, by a particular law, which is superior. Thirdly, by the law of charity and mercy. Fourthly, by the dispensation and authority of the Lawgiver. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:5

Verse 5 5.That on the Sabbaths the priests profane the Sabbath. This is the second argument by which Christ proves that the violation of the Sabbath, of which the Pharisees complained, was free from all blame; because on the Sabbaths it is lawful to slay beasts for sacrifice, to circumcise infants, and to do other things relating to the worship of God. Hence it follows, that the duties of piety are in no degree inconsistent with each other. (78) But if the temple sanctifies manual operations... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:7

Verse 7 7.But if you knew This Third argument is also mentioned by Matthew alone. Christ conveys an indirect reproof to the Pharisees, for not considering why ceremonies were appointed, and to what object they are directed. This has been a common fault in almost every age; and therefore the prophet Hosea (Hosea 6:6) exclaims against the men of his own age for being too much attached to ceremonies, and caring little about the duties of kindness. But God declares aloud, that he sets a higher... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 12:1-13

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 12:1-50

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:7

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