Matthew 12:1-21

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on Matthew 12:1-21

1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
3Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.
5Or haven’ t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?
6But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.
7If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
9Moving on from there, Jesus entered their synagogue,
10and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
11He replied, “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?
12How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
13Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored to full use, just like the other.
14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
15Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all,
16warning them not to make Him known.
17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
18“Here is My Servant,
whom I have chosen,
My beloved,
in whom My soul delights.
I will put My Spirit on Him,
and He will proclaim justice to the nations.
19He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear His voice in the streets.
20A bruised reed He will not break,
and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish,
till He leads justice to victory.
21In His name the nations will put their hope.”
— Matthew 12:1-21

Related Resources from Heartlight

Looking Beyond the Letter
Devo: What Jesus Did!

"Jesus said to [the Pharisees who accused him of allowing his disciples to break the law by working on the Sabbath], "Haven't you read in the..."

Fulfilling the Mission
Devo: What Jesus Did!

"[Jesus healed many and then warned those he healed not to reveal who he was.] This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: "Look at my..."

Tender Savior
Devo: What Jesus Did!

"[Continuing Isaiah's prophecy about Jesus:] "He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put..."

Careful Compassion
Devo: What Jesus Did!

"But Jesus knew [that the Pharisees were plotting to kill him]. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them,...."

Hate-blind
Devo: What Jesus Did!

"Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Does the law permit a person to work..."

Much More Than a Sheep
Devo: What Jesus Did!

"[When the Pharisees asked Jesus if a person could work by healing on the Sabbath,] he answered, "If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the..."

Well and Sick
Devo: What Jesus Did!

"Then [Jesus] said to the man [with the deformed hand], "Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other..."

Witness to Hostile People
Devo: What Jesus Did!

"At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of..."

Lord!
Devo: What Jesus Did!

"[Talking to the Pharisees after they condemned his disciples for gathering and eating grain on the Sabbath, Jesus continued:] "For the Son of Man is....."

God's Servant
Devo: God's Holy Fire

""Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.""

Matthew 12:6
Devo: Today's Verse

"I tell you that one greater than the temple is here."

Mercy?
Devo: What Jesus Did!

"[Talking to the Pharisees, Jesus continued:] "But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: 'I..."

Spurgeon AM Devo for May. 7th
Devo: Morning & Evening

"What a mass of hideous sickness must have thrust itself under the eye of Jesus! Yet we read not that he was disgusted, but patiently waited on every....."

Spurgeon PM Devo for Jul. 19th
Devo: Morning & Evening

"What is weaker than the bruised reed or the smoking flax? A reed that groweth in the fen or marsh, let but the wild duck light upon it, and it snaps;...."

Cross References for Matthew 12:1-21

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.