Matthew 12:5-6

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:1-8

The sabbath in relation to the preparation of food. Parallel passages: Mark 2:23-28 ; Luke 6:1-5 . St. Matthew here returns to the Framework, which he left at Matthew 9:26 or 34. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:1-8

The sabbath made for man. Note in introduction that the chiefest interest of this passage centres in the last verses of it, and in their combined moral aspects. The occasion of these must be esteemed, with certain other passages of the Gospel, as one of no lesser import, recorded as it is by all of the three evangelists. That occasion arose not out of the direct course and tenor of the conduct of Christ, but out of that of his disciples. Nevertheless, his own use of the sabbath day for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:1-8

Ritual and morals. The Pharisaic Jews are, in the previous chapter, upbraided for their obstinate impenitence. We find the same people here condemning the disciples of Christ as sabbath-breakers because they plucked ears of corn to satisfy their hunger. The manner in which Jesus defends his disciples shows— I. THAT RITUAL IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR MORALS . 1 . The Pharisees were stringent ritualists. 2 . But they were lax in morals. 3 . They inverted the order... read more

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