The Gospel According to Matthew
Copyright© 2006, Darroll Evans

 

Chapter 12

 

Matthew 12:1-7

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.

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.

3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

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?

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?

6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

 

On the Sabbath (Saturday), Jesus and His followers walked through a field of the “corn” (Gr. sporimoon-sporimwn).  It was not corn as we know it, but a field of grain such as barley.  The disciples were hungry, so they plucked some of the grain, and ate it.

 

Harvesting on the Sabbath was forbidden under Moses law.  They had committed a major Jewish sin!  Today, observant Jews deal in commerce regardless of the day of the week, and the Sabbath is ignored by Jews.

 

The Pharisees saw it, and complained to Jesus. “Your disciples act unlawfully toward the Sabbath day.”

 

But, Christ replied, “Haven’t you read what David did?  When he and his men were hungry, they went into the house of God, the Tabernacle at Nob (1 Samuel 21), and they ate the holy showbread. Those loaves of bread in the tabernacle were to be eaten only by Priests.”

 

Jesus continued His response, “Or, haven’t you read in the Law of Moses, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath by working, but are blameless?”  Priests work on the day of rest.

 

Did you know that Jewish leaders break the true Sabbath and Christian Preachers break the Sunday worship day?

 

Jesus went on to say that “in this place is (one) greater than the temple.”  That which is greater than the Temple is Christ Himself!

 

Again, Jesus refers to Exodus 33:19, Hosea 6:6, and Matthew 9:13 when He tells them the Scripture says, “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.”  It is very important for us to learn that mercy is God’s domain!

 

In ancient languages, repetition was a form of emphasis.  Perhaps God is trying to tell us something about mercy.

 

Matthew 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

 

Many teach that the Ten have been destroyed.

 

If so, which of the Ten have been nullified?  Some people would have us believe that all have been.

 

Has the first commandment been canceled?  Can we have our gods and still expect the true God’s blessings?

 

Of the Ten, only the fourth, concerning the Sabbath is considered nullified, but that was a Gentile anti-Jewish decision made by men and is not biblical.

 

In the case of the Sabbath, only the Roman Church is honest.  They say that they used papal authority to change it in the eyes of men. 

 

God does not rely on the Pope to make decisions.

 

In the entire Bible there is no admonishment to worship on Sunday!

 

Christ Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath!

 

Matthew 12:9-14

9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

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.

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?

12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

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.

14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

 

At that point, Jesus went to a local synagogue.  In the Synagogue, He encountered a man with a withered hand.

 

The Pharisees and Scribes knew it was Jesus’ normal practice to heal infirmities, but this was the Sabbath.  It was unlawful work on the Sabbath. Healing was considered work.

 

When they sought to confront Jesus in this matter, He deflected their attitude with a question.

 

“Which man among you having a sheep that falls into a pit (hole in the ground) on the Sabbath, will not get it out?

 

The answer was obvious to all!

 

Then, Jesus asked, “Isn’t a man better than a sheep?”

 

The answer to that was also obvious!

 

Jesus point was---It is lawful to do good works on the Sabbath.

 

After establishing that healing on the Sabbath was righteous, Jesus told the man, “Stretch out you hand!”  He did as Jesus commanded, and it was restored, made whole, like as the other hand.

 

You will also notice that Jesus did not make any attempt to gain the man’s approval for the healing.  He just did it!  Think about that!

 

The man with the withered hand exhibited no faith, but Christ Jesus did!

 

After that the Pharisees plotted against Christ, and discussed how they might destroy Him.

 

They sought to destroy Jesus because He healed people!  If you use your gifts to heal people, modern society will seek to destroy you.

 

Now, does God heal today?  Yes!

 

I have seen medically verifiable healings brought about by the power of God.

 

All medical healings are medically verifiable!

 

Benny Hinn aside, if a medical healing is not medically verified it is not a healing!

 

This man publicly demonstrated the healing that Christ brought about.

 

Many people claim a healing that is not medically verified.

 

Some Charismatics tell us that we should never say that we are sick.  But if we do not acknowledge that we need healing, what makes us think God is obligated to heal us.  We are saved when we acknowledge that we need salvation, and ask for His salvation.  Physical healing is the same.

 

Matthew 12:15-21

15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

16 And charged them that they should not make him known:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

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.

19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

 

As a result of their plotting, Jesus withdrew (Gr. anechooreesen-anecwrhsen) from that area, but then crowds followed Him.  And, Jesus continued to heal.

 

Jesus had no choice. He came to earth to heal. He had to do it.

 

In our day, Jesus continues to heal even when some religious folks consider it ungodly.

 

As Jesus continued His healing work, He told those that were healed not to publicize the healings.  In today’s religious world some may have agents to handle publicity---Jesus did the opposite.

 

That too was to fulfill prophecy.  Isaiah had prophesied, “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 show judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And, in his name shall the Gentiles trust” (Isaiah, Chapter 42).

 

Did you get that?

 

“And, in his name shall the Gentiles trust”

 

You and I are followers of Christ due to prophecy!

 

Matthew 12:22-32

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.

23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

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:

26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

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.

30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

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.

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.

 

Then, they brought a man who was possessed (Gr. daimonizomenos-daimonizomenoV) with a devil.  The man was blind, and could not speak.  Jesus healed him, and the man’s speech and sight were restored.  Again, Jesus did not ask the man’s permission. The man was mute!

 

Why would a demon take away a person’s sight and power to speak?  So, he could not see Jesus, nor praise Christ.

 

At the healing, all were amazed.  The man who was healed was probably the most amazed!  They said, “Isn’t this the son of David?”

 

“Son of David” is a messianic term. The reference was to Ha Messhiak ben David, the Messiah, Son of David, the King of Israel coming in great power.  When Jesus returns, it shall be as the Messiah, Son of David.

 

That messianic image is in contrast to the messianic image Christ Jesus fulfilled at that time.  He came to earth then as the son of man, Ha Messhiak ben Yosef, Messiah, Son of Joseph.  According to Jewish tradition, Messiah, Son of Joseph is the suffering servant.  The problem is that when Ha Messhiak ben Yosef came, the Jewish leadership would not accept Him!

 

The hearts of the Jewish religionists were so hard that they claimed Jesus cast out devils by Beelzebub (Gr. Beelzebuol-Beelzebuol), Satan. It was a lie!

 

The Bible says, “Jesus knew their thoughts.” He knows your thoughts this very hour.

 

Jesus responded, “Every kingdom divided (split by factions) against itself is brought to desolation (stripped of its treasures). Every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself! how shall then his kingdom stand?”

 

Today’s Church is ineffective, because it is a house divided by denominationalism!

 

Christ continued, “If it is by Beelzebub that I cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out?”

 

Many times Jesus responded with questions.  We should learn from Him.

 

Chronological age, and social experience to do bring about spiritual maturity.  Because the Jews did not grown into spiritual maturity, their children would be their “judges,” or rulers.

 

Jesus continued, “But, if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come to you.”

 

How can that be?

 

The Kingdom of God operates on a substance called grace.  Grace is a tangible item.  Satan’s kingdom operates according to sin.

 

The strength of the two are compared Romans 5:20.  There the Bible tells us that where sin abounds, “grace did much more abound,” or super abounds.  No matter how powerful sin seems to be, God’s grace is always more powerful.  Grace saves us from the most vulgar sin.

 

Then Jesus asked another question based on His last comments. He asked, “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.

 

Using this verse, many have gone around binding Satan.  None of us, alive today, have ever encountered the Archangel Lucifer.  If we had we would have fainted from overwhelming fear.

 

We have often encountered his underlings.  They are not as powerful.

 

However, at His resurrection, Jesus led captivity captive (Eph. 4:8), and in that act, Christ spoiled Lucifer’s house.

 

At this point in Matthew, Jesus chose up sides in the battle for the hearts and minds of men. Christ declared, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that does not gather with me, scatters.”  

 

Are you on Jesus’ side, or are you against Him?

 

Following that Jesus said something that is almost universally misunderstood. He said, “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaks against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him.  But, whosoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world (Gr. aiooni- aiwni), neither in the world to come.”

 

As indicated by my notes, the Greek Textus Receptus says that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven in this “age,” or that age to come. It does not say that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable!

 

Jesus lived during what we know as the Age of the Law.  The first four books of the New Testament were written about the conclusion of the Old Testament period.

The New Testament begins with Pentecost, and/or Paul’s call to ministry.

 

Christ Jesus’ physical life was the conclusion, or the fulfillment of the Law.  His resurrection is the promise of new life under grace.  The age “to come” is the current Church Age, the New Testament Age.

 

Let’s look again at verse 32 with the proper ages included.

 

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 age (of the law), neither in the (Church) age to come.

 

Instead of saying that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable, the verse gives a timeline for that forgiveness.

 

Matthew 12:33-37

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.

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

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.

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

 

Sometimes, great theological truth is just plain common sense.  Jesus spoke a great theological truth when he said, “If the tree is good, its fruit will be good, but if the tree is rotten, the fruit will be rotten.”  We are known by our fruit.

 

There is a non-biblical proverb that says, “One rotten apple will spoil the barrel.”  The truth is that because of sin and death. The apples will eventually spoil even if all are good.”  Apples are not subjects of grace.

 

Verse 33 ends with a truism, a tree is known by its fruit.  Would you go to a fig tree and expect to pick apples?  I don’t think so!

 

Humans are known by their fruit, their works.  We are known to other men by our works.  God knows us by the content of our hearts.

 

Many people believe that Christians are mild mannered people under all circumstances.  I met a man who thinks that Christians should never become angry. That man obviously had never read the Bible!

 

In Verse 34, Jesus shows righteous indignation toward those who would thwart God’s word.

 

He said, “O children of snakes, how can you, being evil, speak good things? Because, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks!  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”

 

Whatever you inside is reflected by your words.  This is not only referring to vulgarities, but it is also speaking of treacherous words.  A treacherous heart will bring treacherous speech.

 

Jesus went on to say, “But, I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof on Judgment Day.” Meditate on that!

 

Jesus told the listeners, “By your words you shall be justified, and by you words you shall be condemned.”  Is that righteous?  Certainly!

 

Romans 10:9-10

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (NKJV)

 

Matthew 12:38-45

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

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:

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.

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.

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.

43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

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.

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.

 

At that point, some Scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign of His power.  They had just seen a man healed, but that was not enough.  Signs are never enough for the ungodly!

 

Jesus responded by telling them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks (Gr. epizeetei-epizhtei), or clamors for a sign. There shall be no sign, except for the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

 

Jesus then explained the sign of Jonah. As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish (Gr. keetous-khtouV); so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

 

“Whale” (Gr. keetous-khtouV) speaks of a great fish. The fact of a man living in the belly of a large fish or whale has been documented in post-biblical times.  An Englishman lived through the experience during the 19th century.  According to reports, his hair and skin were bleached white due to stomach acid.

 

Also notice that Jesus referred to Jonah being 3 days and 3 nights in the fish’s belly. Some parts of the story of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior have been twisted by tradition. “Three days and three nights” is three days and three nights.

 

Today, Christianity rejects the sign of Jonah.  There is no way we can fit 3 days and 3 nights within the current Easter observance of Friday evening until Sunday morning.  In the Easter observance, we tolerate a Biblical mistranslation (see Matthew 28:1). 

 

Jesus told them, “The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with (Gr. meta-meta) this generation, and shall condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And now, One Who is greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the south (the queen of Sheba) shall rise up in the judgment with (Gr. meta-meta) this generation, and shall condemn it. Because, she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here!

 

At this point, Jesus seems to have changed gears.

 

He told the assembly, “When the unclean spirit leaves a man, he walks through dry (Gr. anudroon- anudrwn) places (Gr. topoon-topwn).  He searches for rest, but does not find it.”

 

The only true rest in all creation is found in Christ Jesus.  Rest is not available to demonic spirits.

 

Jesus continued, “Then the demon says, ‘I will return to my house (the man) from whence I came out.’  When he returns, he finds it empty, swept, and clean.  Then, he goes back, and gets seven other wicked spirits with him.  They enter the man/house and reside there.  Therefore, the final state of that man is worse than the first.”

 

Then, Jesus ties it all together by telling the Scribes and Pharisees, “That is what this wicked generation shall experience!”

 

Those that reject the sign of Jonah will be worse off than before they heard the story of Jonah.

 

Has the Church rejected the sign of Jonah?

 

Matthew 12:46-50

46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

While Jesus was lecturing the Scribes and Pharisees, His mother and younger siblings came and asked to speak to Him.  Mary and Joseph had other Children.  Mary was not an “eternal virgin!”

 

Matthew 1:25 And [Joseph] knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 

That means that Joseph did indeed have sexual relations with his wife, Mary!

 

When Jesus was informed of their presence, He asked, “Who is my mother? And, who are my brothers?”

 

Christ pointed to His disciples and said, “Behold my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the Father’s will is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

Do you realize that by doing the Father’s will you become Jesus’ sibling?  Are you now His brother or sister?

 

Those who will not do the will of the Father are not our brothers, or sisters, or mothers!

 

The universal brotherhood of mankind is a bogus teaching meant to demean Christ and Christians!

 

Chapter 13
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