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

Well and Sick
Illustration of Matthew 12:13-14 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 12:13-14 NLT -- 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 one! Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.

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Illustration of Matthew 12:18 NIV

Illustration of Matthew 12:18 NIV -- "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."

Greater than the Temple
Illustration of Matthew 12:6

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 12:6 -- I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.

I tell you that one greater than the...
Illustration of Matthew 12:6

Illustration of Matthew 12:6 -- I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.

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.