Matthew 12:1-21 Study

Verses 1-8

1 At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath through the grain fields. And His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and eat them. 2 But the Pharisees saw it and said to Him, “Behold, Your disciples are doing what is not permitted to do on the Sabbath.” 3 But He said to them, “Have you not read aloud[1] what David did when he and those with him were hungry, 4 how he entered into the house of God and ate the loaves of the presentation, which were not permitted for him to eat, nor for those with him, except for the priests alone? 5 Or have you not read aloud in the Law that on Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, yet they are innocent? 6 But I say to you that One greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what the words ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice’ mean, you would not have condemned the innocent.[2] 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

[1] This word implies that not only had they read these Scriptures themselves, but they had publicly read them aloud to others (probably at a synagogue).

[2] The repetition of the word “innocent” seems to place the disciples in the place of the priests serving in the temple (v. 5) and Jesus as the temple (v. 6).

Ex 34:21 seems to forbid harvesting on the Sabbath

v. 7 quotes Hosea 6:6

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 12

The bread was only to be eaten by the priests (

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 12

The fact that priests, in carrying out their duties, had to work on (and thus “profane”) the Sabbath, but were guiltless in doing so, shows that God made allowances within the law.

Note connection of this Sabbath story to the end of Matt 11 (Come to Me and I will give you rest/you will find rest for your souls)

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 12

The Sabbath points to Christ (see v. 8) and to the “rest” he gives from the impossible task of earning salvation by good works (cf. 11:28).

Connecting Scripture New Testament Chapter 12

12:6 Jesus presses the conceptual parallel of the priests who work in the temple on the Sabbath (see

Verses 9-14

9 And when He had moved on from there, He came into their synagogue; 10 and behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they questioned Him, saying, “Is it permitted on Sabbaths to heal?” in order that they might bring charges against Him. 11 But He said to them, “What man will there be among you who will have one sheep, and if this sheep should fall into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and raise it up? 12 Therefore, how much more valuable is a man than a sheep? So then, yes, it is permitted on Sabbath days to do good.” 13 Then He says to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored, as healthy as the other hand. 14 But the Pharisees went out and began making plans[3] against Him, in order that they might destroy Him. 

[3] Literally, they took a meeting.

Verses 15-21

15 And when Jesus found out, He departed from there. And many followed Him, and He healed them all, 16 and He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known, 17 in order that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 18 “Behold, My Servant, whom I chose, My Beloved in whom My soul takes delight. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will announce justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 20 A crushed reed He will not break, and a smoking lamp He will not extinguish, until He turns justice into victory. 21 And in His name the Gentiles will hope.”[4]

[4] Isaiah 42:1-4

This passage from Isaiah shows that the Messiah’s mission (in His first coming) is not to come as a conquering warrior but as a suffering Savior. It also shows that the Messiah is coming not only for the Jews, but also for the world.