Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 12

Clinging to a Counterfeit Cross
Introduction

1  Christ reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the breach of the sabbath,
3  by scripture,
9  by reason,
13  and by a miracle.
22  He heals a man possessed that was blind and dumb;
24  and confuting the absurd charge of casting out devils by Beelzebub, he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall never be forgiven.
36  Account shall be made of idle words.
38  He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,
46  and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.
Verse 1

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
went
Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5
to pluck
Deuteronomy 23:25
Verses 1-8

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
went
Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5
to pluck
Deuteronomy 23:25
Verse 2

But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
Behold
10, Exodus 20:9-11, 23:12, 31:15-17, 35:2, Numbers 15:32-36, Isaiah 58:13, Mark 3:2-5, Luke 6:6-11, 13:10-17, 23:56, John 5:9-11,16,17, 7:21-24, John 9:14-16
Verse 3

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
Have
5, 19:4, 21:16, 22:31, Mark 12:10,26, Luke 6:3, 10:26
what
1 Samuel 21:3-6, Mark 2:25,26
Verse 4

How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
the shew-bread
Exodus 25:30, Leviticus 24:5-9
but
Exodus 29:32,33, Leviticus 8:31, 24:9
Verse 5

Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
on
Numbers 28:9,10, John 7:22,23
profane
Nehemiah 13:17, Ezekiel 24:21
Verse 6

But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
41,42, 23:17-21, 2 Chronicles 6:18, Haggai 2:7-9, Malachi 3:1, John 2:19-21, Ephesians 2:20-22, Colossians 2:9, 1 Peter 2:4,5
Verse 7

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
if
9:13, 22:29, Acts 13:27
I will
That is, I desire, or require mercy, or acts of humanity, rather than sacrifice.
Isaiah 1:11-17, Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8
condemned
Job 32:3, Psalms 94:21, 109:31, Proverbs 17:15, James 5:6
Verse 8

For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
9:6, Mark 2:28, 9:4-7, Luke 6:5, John 5:17-23, 1 Corinthians 9:21, 16:2, Revelation 1:10
Verse 9

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
he went
Mark 3:1-5, Luke 6:6-11
Verses 9-14

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
he went
Mark 3:1-5, Luke 6:6-11
Verse 10

And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
which
1 Kings 13:4-6, Zechariah 11:17, John 5:3
Is it
19:3, 22:17,18, Luke 13:14, 14:3-6, 20:22, John 5:10, 9:16
that
Isaiah 32:6, 59:4,13, Luke 6:6,7, 11:54, 23:2,14, John 8:6
Verse 11

And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
what
This was an argumentum ad hominem. The Jews held that such things were lawful on the sabbath day, and our Saviour very properly appealed to their canons in vindication of his intention to heal the distressed man.
Luke 13:15-17, 14:5
and if
Exodus 23:4,5, Deuteronomy 22:4
Verse 12

How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
is a
6:26, Luke 12:24
it is
Mark 3:4, Luke 6:9
Verse 13

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
and it
Luke 13:13, Acts 3:7,8
Verse 14

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
went
27:1, Mark 3:6, Luke 6:11, John 5:18, 10:39, 11:53,57
held a council
or, took counsel.
Verse 15

But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
he withdrew
10:23, Luke 6:12, John 7:1, 10:40-42, 11:54
great
4:24,25, 19:2, Mark 3:7-12, 6:56, Luke 6:17-19, John 9:4, Galatians 6:9, 1 Peter 2:21
Verses 15-21

But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
he withdrew
10:23, Luke 6:12, John 7:1, 10:40-42, 11:54
great
4:24,25, 19:2, Mark 3:7-12, 6:56, Luke 6:17-19, John 9:4, Galatians 6:9, 1 Peter 2:21
Verse 16

And charged them that they should not make him known:
9:30, 17:9, Mark 7:36, Luke 5:14,15
Verse 17

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
it
8:17, 13:35, 21:4, Isaiah 41:22,23, 42:9, 44:26, Luke 21:22, 24:44, John 10:35, 12:38, 19:28, Acts 13:27
saying
Isaiah 42:1-4
Verse 18

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
Behold
This prophecy is expressly referred to the Messiah by the Targumist, who renders, "Behold my servant the Messiah," etc., ha avdi mesheecha; and it was amply fulfilled in the gentle, lowly, condescending and beneficent nature of Christ's miracles and personal ministry, his perseverance in the midst of opposition, without engaging in contentious disputation, and his kind and tender dealing with weak and tempted believers.
my servant
Isaiah 49:5,6, 52:13, 53:11, Zechariah 3:8, Philippians 2:6,7
whom I
Psalms 89:19, Isaiah 49:1-3, Luke 23:35, 1 Peter 2:4
my beloved
3:17, 17:5, Mark 1:11, 9:7, Luke 9:35, Ephesians 1:6, Colossians 1:1,13; *marg:; 2 Peter 1:17
I will
3:16, Isaiah 11:2, 59:20,21, 61:1-3, Luke 3:22, 4:18, John 1:32-34, 3:34, Acts 10:38
and he
Isaiah 32:15,16, 49:6, 60:2,3, 62:2, Jeremiah 16:19, Luke 2:31,32, Acts 11:18, Acts 13:46-48, 14:27, 26:17,18, Romans 15:9-12, Ephesians 2:11-13, 3:5-8
Verse 19

He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
11:29, Zechariah 9:9, Luke 17:20, John 18:36-38, 2 Corinthians 10:1, 2 Timothy 2:24,25
Verse 20

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
bruised
11:28, 2 Kings 18:21, Psalms 51:17, 147:3, Isaiah 40:11, 57:15, 61:1-3, Lamentations 3:31-34, Ezekiel 34:16, Luke 4:18, 2 Corinthians 2:7, Hebrews 12:12,13
till
Psalms 98:1-3, Isaiah 42:3,4, Romans 15:17-19, 2 Corinthians 2:14, 10:3-5, Revelation 6:2, Revelation 19:11-21
Verse 21

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Isaiah 11:10, Romans 15:12,13, Ephesians 1:12,13, Colossians 1:27
Verse 22

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
was
9:32, Mark 3:11, Luke 11:14
he healed
Mark 7:35-37, 9:17-26
blind
Psalms 51:15, Isaiah 29:18, 32:3,4, 35:5,6, Acts 26:18
Verse 23

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
the people
9:33, 15:30,31
Is not
9:27, 15:22, 21:9, 22:42,43, John 4:29, 7:40-42
Verse 24

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
when
9:34, Mark 3:22, Luke 11:15
Beelzebub
Gr. Beelzebul, and so.
Verses 24-37

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
when
9:34, Mark 3:22, Luke 11:15
Beelzebub
Gr. Beelzebul, and so.
Verse 25

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
Jesus
9:4, Psalms 139:2, Jeremiah 17:10, Amos 4:13, Mark 2:8, John 2:24,25, 21:17, 1 Corinthians 2:11, Hebrews 4:13, Revelation 2:23
Every kingdom
Isaiah 9:21, 19:2,3, Mark 3:23-26, Luke 11:17,18, Galatians 5:15, Revelation 16:19, Revelation 17:16,17
Verse 26

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
his
John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:13, 1 John 5:19, Revelation 9:11, Revelation 12:9, 16:10, 20:2,3
Verse 27

And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
Beelzebub
by whom
Mark 9:38,39, Luke 9:49,50, 11:19, Acts 19:13-16
they
12:41,42, Luke 19:22, Romans 3:19
Verse 28

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
I cast
18, Mark 16:17, Luke 11:20, Acts 10:38
then
6:33, 21:31,43, Isaiah 9:6,7, Daniel 2:44, 7:14, Mark 1:15, 11:10, Luke 1:32,33, 9:2, 10:11, 11:20, 16:16, 17:20,21, Romans 14:17, Colossians 1:13, Hebrews 12:28
Verse 29

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
Isaiah 49:24, 53:12, Mark 3:27, Luke 11:21,22, 1 John 3:8, 4:4, Revelation 12:7-10, Revelation 20:1-3,7-9
Verse 30

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
that is
6:24, Joshua 5:13, 24:15, 1 Chronicles 12:17,18, Mark 9:40, Luke 9:50, 11:23, 2 Corinthians 6:15,16, 1 John 2:19, Revelation 3:15,16
gathereth
Genesis 49:10, Hosea 1:11, John 11:52
Verse 31

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
All
Isaiah 1:18, 55:7, Ezekiel 33:11, 1 Timothy 1:13-15, Hebrews 6:4; *etc:; Hebrews 10:26,29, 1 John 1:9, 2:1,2
blasphemy
Blasphemy, [blasphemia] either from [?] to hurt, or blast the reputation, or from [?] to smite with words, or reports, when applied to men denotes injurious speaking, or calumny, and when used in reference to God signifies speaking impiously of his nature, attributes, and works.
but
Mark 3:28-30, Luke 12:10, Acts 7:51, 1 John 5:16
Verse 32

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
whosoever
11:19, 13:55, Luke 7:34, 23:34, John 7:12,52, Acts 3:14,15,19, Acts 26:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:13,15
but
John 7:39, Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26-29
it shall not
Job 36:13, Mark 3:29, Luke 16:23-26
Verse 33

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
make the good tree
23:26, Ezekiel 18:31, Amos 5:15, Luke 11:39,40, James 4:8
and his fruit good
3:8-10, 7:16-20, Luke 3:9, 6:43,44, John 15:4-7, James 3:12
Verse 34

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
generation
3:7, 23:33, Luke 3:7, John 8:44, 1 John 3:10
how
1 Samuel 24:13, Psalms 10:6,7, 52:2-5, 53:1, 64:3,5, 120:2-4, 140:2,3, Isaiah 32:6, 59:4,14, Jeremiah 7:2-5, Romans 3:10-14, James 3:5-8
for
Luke 6:45
Verse 35

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
good man
13:52, Psalms 37:30,31, Proverbs 10:20,21, 12:6,17-19, 15:4,23,28, Proverbs 16:21-23, 25:11,12, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 3:16, 4:6
and an
Verse 36

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
every
Ecclesiastes 12:14, Romans 2:16, Ephesians 6:4-6, Jude 1:14,15, Revelation 20:12
idle word
[rhema] [argos] i.e., [ergo--work/act/deed] from a, privative, and [ergon] work, a word that produces no good effect, and is not calculated to produce any. "Discourse," says Dr. Doddridge, "tending to innocent mirth, to exhilarate the spirits, is not idle discourse; as the time spent in necessary recreation is not idle time."
Verse 37

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
For by
Proverbs 13:3
justified
James 2:21-25
Verse 38

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
Master
16:1-4, Mark 8:11,12, Luke 11:16,29, John 2:18, 4:48, 1 Corinthians 1:22
Verse 39

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
adulterous
Isaiah 57:3, Mark 8:38, James 4:4
no sign
16:4, Luke 11:29,30
Verse 40

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
as
Jonah 1:17
so
16:21, 17:23, 27:40,63,64, John 2:19
in the heart
Psalms 63:9, Jonah 2:2-6
Verse 41

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
men
Luke 11:32
rise
42, Isaiah 54:17, Jeremiah 3:11, Ezekiel 16:51,52, Romans 2:27, Hebrews 11:7
this
39,45, 16:4, 17:17, 23:36
because
Jonah 3:5-10
behold
6,42, John 3:31, 4:12, 8:53-58, Hebrews 3:5,6
Verse 42

The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
queen
1 Kings 10:1-13, 2 Chronicles 9:1-12, Luke 11:31,32, Acts 8:27,28
hear
1 Kings 3:9,12,28, 4:29,34, 5:12, 10:4,7,24
behold
3:17, 17:5, Isaiah 7:14, 9:6,7, John 1:14,18, Philippians 2:6,7, Hebrews 1:2-4
Verse 43

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
when
Had there been no reality in demoniacal possessions, as some have supposed, our Lord would scarcely have appealed to a case of this kind here, to point out the real state of the Jewish people, and their approaching desolation. Had this been only a vulgar error, of the nonsense of which the learned scribes and wise Pharisees must have been convinced, the case, not being in point, because not true, must have been treated with contempt by the very people for whose conviction it was designed.
the unclean
Luke 11:24, Acts 8:13
he
Job 1:7, 2:2, 1 Peter 5:8
dry
Psalms 63:1, Isaiah 35:6,7, 41:18, Ezekiel 47:8-12, Amos 8:11-13
seeking
8:29, Mark 5:7-13, Luke 8:28-32
Verses 43-45

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
when
Had there been no reality in demoniacal possessions, as some have supposed, our Lord would scarcely have appealed to a case of this kind here, to point out the real state of the Jewish people, and their approaching desolation. Had this been only a vulgar error, of the nonsense of which the learned scribes and wise Pharisees must have been convinced, the case, not being in point, because not true, must have been treated with contempt by the very people for whose conviction it was designed.
the unclean
Luke 11:24, Acts 8:13
he
Job 1:7, 2:2, 1 Peter 5:8
dry
Psalms 63:1, Isaiah 35:6,7, 41:18, Ezekiel 47:8-12, Amos 8:11-13
seeking
8:29, Mark 5:7-13, Luke 8:28-32
Verse 44

Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
my
29, Luke 11:21,22, John 13:27, Ephesians 2:2, 1 John 4:4
he findeth
13:20-22, Psalms 81:11,12, Hosea 7:6, John 12:6, 13:2, Acts 5:1-3, 8:18-23, 1 Corinthians 11:19, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, 1 Timothy 6:4,5,9,10, 1 John 2:19, Jude 1:4,5, Revelation 13:3,4,8,9
Verse 45

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
seven
24, Mark 5:9, 16:9, Ephesians 6:12
more
23:15
and the
Luke 11:26, Hebrews 6:4-8, 10:26-31,39, 2 Peter 2:14-22, 1 John 5:16,17, Jude 1:10-13
Even
And so it was; for they became worse and worse, as if totally abandoned to diabolical influence, till the besom of destruction swept them away.
21:38-44, 23:32-39,24,34, Luke 11:49-51, 19:41-44, John 15:22-24, Romans 11:8-10, 1 Thessalonians 2:15,16
Verse 46

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
yet
Mark 2:21, 3:31-35, Luke 8:10,19-21
his
13:55, Mark 6:3, John 2:12, 7:3,5,10, Acts 1:14, 1 Corinthians 9:5, Galatians 1:19
Verses 46-50

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
yet
Mark 2:21, 3:31-35, Luke 8:10,19-21
his
13:55, Mark 6:3, John 2:12, 7:3,5,10, Acts 1:14, 1 Corinthians 9:5, Galatians 1:19
Verse 48

But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Who is
10:37, Deuteronomy 33:9, Mark 3:32,33, Luke 2:49,52, John 2:3,4, 2 Corinthians 5:16
Verse 49

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
his disciples
28:7, Mark 3:34, John 17:8,9,20, 20:17-20
Verse 50

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
do
7:20,21, 17:5, Mark 3:35, Luke 8:21, 11:27,28, John 6:29,40, 15:14, Acts 3:22,23, 16:30,31, 17:30, 26:20, Galatians 5:6, 6:15, Colossians 3:11, Hebrews 5:9, James 1:21,22, 1 Peter 4:2, 1 John 2:17, 3:23,24, Revelation 22:14
the same
25:40,45, 28:10, Psalms 22:22, John 20:17, Romans 8:29, Hebrews 2:11-17
and sister
Song of Solomon 4:9,10,12, 5:1,2, 1 Corinthians 9:5, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:25-27
and mother
John 19:26,27, 1 Timothy 5:2

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