SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 12:1-21
Jesus and his disciples were walking through fields of grain. His disciples were hungry, so they began to eat the grain heads. The Pharisees claimed this was unlawful. Jesus responded that David ate consecrated bread when he was hungry and the priests desecrate the day by doing temple work. He says one greater than the temple is here, since he, the Son of Man, is Lord of the Sabbath.
The Pharisees ask Jesus if it’s lawful to heal on the Sabbath. He uses the example of if a sheep had fallen into a pit on the Sabbath, would they not rescue it? It’s lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Jesus healed a man with a shriveled hand, and the Pharisees plotted how to kill Jesus.
Jesus withdrew and healed all the sick, telling them to tell no one who he was. This fulfilled prophecy in Isaiah.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 4: Matthew 12:1-21
9a) No. The law was to do no work on the Sabbath. Picking heads of grain was not only allowed according to Deuteronomy 23:25, but it most definitely is not work. The law did not say, “starve on the Sabbath.”
b) Jesus responded that David ate consecrated bread when he was hungry and the priests desecrate the day. He says one greater than the temple is here, since he, the Son of Man, is Lord of the Sabbath. Mark 2:23:27 says the Sabbath is made for man and his rest. In 1 Samuel 21:4-6, we read that the priests gave David and his men consecrated bread to eat as long as they had kept themselves from women. Jesus meant that as Lord of the Sabbath, he can do what he pleases.
10) He cared more about people than laws.
11) The Pharisees are beginning to plot against him. Jesus knows he still has work to do before he is called home to God, so he withdraws to protect himself. He’s trying to keep a low profile and not draw attention to himself, so he tells those to not tell others, so he can continue his ministry here on earth.
12) I love how in his name, there is hope. Jesus’s name is so powerful that all we need to do is hope in him.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 4: Matthew 12:1-21
Human nature is to bring those down around you who are more successful than you, more popular, and who are helping others. Here, we see Jesus begin to suffer for his goodness.
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End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 4: Matthew 12:1-21
This passage shows us how the Bible can be misinterpreted and the consequences thereof. The Pharisees would have Jesus and his disciples starve because in their minds they were doing work on the Sabbath. This is not what the Bible says at all.
Jesus, of course, never broke a law; he did break man’s interpretation of that law, and sometimes on purpose, to make a point.
Here, human need is more important than the rules of the Sabbath. Besides, Jesus says, the priests break the laws of the Sabbath constantly by performing their rituals, which is work. Mercy is more important than sacrificing for principles (Hosea 6:6)
Jesus once again proclaims his deity with his declaration that he is Lord of the Sabbath and greater than the temple, which was everything to the Jewish people at that time. He himself is worthy of love, admiration, honor, sacrifice, service, and worship.
Jesus Healing on the Sabbath
Jesus sets the example of us going to church on the Sabbath.
The Pharisees try to set Jesus up with a man who needs healing, knowing Jesus will have compassion on the man and heal him.
Here, the Pharisees turn from just rejecting Jesus to plotting to murder him.
Jesus withdrew to preserve God’s plan for him. He healed all who came to him in faith, and this probably took a long time.
Jesus is the chosen Servant of God. Matthew 20:25-28, Matthew 23:11, Mark 9:35, Mark 10:43-45. He still serves us by being our guiding light, our Savior, and loving us despite our sins every day.
Jesus doesn’t need to draw attention to himself; his deeds speak for themselves.
Jesus is gentle with those who are bruised and nourishes us who are like smoldering flames.
“The nations” refers to Jesus’s ministry to the Gentiles.
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