Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
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21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
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THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
CHAPTER TWELVE:
PROBLEMS IN THE MINISTRY:
OPPONENTS, SIGNS, FAMILY
[“Opposition Inside and Out”]
Matthew 12:1-8 – Something Greater than the Temple
|| Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5
MT12:1 During that period Jesus was moving through the grain fields on the Sabbath.
Now his disciples were hungry
and began to pluck heads of grain and eat them.
| 640 | Sabbath: Literally “sabbaths.” The subject of the Sabbath was a serious conflict with the Jewish clergy. The
word occurs 46 times in the Gospels (Matthew, 11; Mark, 11; Luke, 13; John, 11). Two thousand years later it is still an issue even among Christians. |
| 641 | Hungry: Imagine hunger only satisfied by hard grains of wheat or kernels of corn? |
MT12:2 But, the Pharisees observed this and said to Jesus,
“Look! Your disciples are doing what is not permitted during the Sabbath!”
| 642 | Not permitted during the Sabbath: The Law permitted plucking grain (Deuteronomy 23:25). The Jewish version of Sabbath law during the Nazarene’s life was very detailed. There were 39 rules which identified work on the Sabbath, including “reaping.” Later, Maimonides ruled: “To pluck ears is a kind of reaping.” |
MT12:3 Then Jesus said to them,
“Did you not read what David, and those with him, did when he got hungry?
| 643 | Did you not read: Compare 1 Samuel 21:1-6. |
MT12:4 How he entered into the House of the God and they ate the loaves of presentation – which he was not authorized to eat, nor those with him, but only the priests?
| 644 | The House of the God: There are several terms for the Tabernacle of Moses: House, Sanctuary, and Temple. On the later there are two Greek words used: HIERON which generally means the Temple complex; and, NAOS which refers to the shrine or tabernacle proper with its two sacred rooms, the Holy and the Most Holy. |
| 645 | They ate the loaves of presentation: No normal bread was available and the high priest offered the twelve ringed loaves on the table of showbread in the Tabernacle. His only requirement is that only those men who had “kept themselves from women.” David assured the priest they “certainly clean today.” (1 Samuel 21:1-6 NJB) For this kindness 85 priests were slaughtered. |
MT12:5 Or, did you not read in the Law regarding Sabbaths that the temple priests profane the Sabbath and remain innocent?
| 646 | Temple priests profane the Sabbath: That is, the priests perform working functions involved in worship forbidden regular
Israelites. The word “profane” is also rendered: KNX: violate; MOF: desecrate; PME: break. |
| 647 |
Innocent: Or, KJV: blameless; MOF: not guilty. |
MT12:6 But, I tell you: you have something greater than the temple here.
| 648 | Something greater than the temple here: Jesus alludes to himself as the future High Priest as well as his disciples as
‘temple foundation stones.’ (John 2:19; Hebrews 8:1; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5) Compare Luke 11:31, 32 for similar language. |
MT12:7 You would not
have condemned the innocent if you had known what this means,
‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’
[Hosea 6:6, 7]| 649 | The innocent: Surely he means himself and perhaps – like David’s “mighty men” –
his own disciples. |
| 650 | This means: The Nazarene quotes Hosea 6:7 from the LXX (where it is 6:6). |
| 651 | Mercy: The Greek is ELEOS and is usually translated mercy, compassion, pity. The problem with the English “mercy”
is that it has under gone an evolution so that today it carries the idea of justice: condemnation or judgment withheld. The root of “mercy” is a word from the marketplace (mercado) and is related to that payment to mercenaries. Merci
means “thanks.” Kind charity is closer to the idea. So, the verse intends to mean: “I wish charity over (religious) sacrifices.” The quote of Hosea 6:7 is from the Jewish Greek Septuagint (LXX). The Hebrew text reads checed and
is rooted in kindness. If one made all the religious sacrifices his worship demanded and failed to be kind or charitable, God’s will is missed. |
MT12:8 For
the Son of Humankind is Master of the Sabbath.” | 652 | Master of the Sabbath: There are various opinions. One meaning may be: as Master of the sabbath day, Jesus as Son of Man will determine what is good or bad on the sabbath; or, he will use the sabbath as he determines. Some read the phrase “son of man” to mean “human” so that human needs will determine what is good or bad on the sabbath. Some hold a futurist view: the Messiah is King of that future great Sabbath under his rule – the Thousand Years. |
Matthew 12:9-21 – Is It Lawful to Cure on the Sabbath?
|| Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11
MT12:9 Leaving there Jesus went into their synagogue.
MT12:10 And, look! a human with a dried-up hand!
So, they asked Jesus, “Is it permissible to cure on the Sabbath?”
(They asked so they might accuse him.)
| 653 | Dried-up hand: KJV: withered; WEY: shriveled; TAY: deformed. |
| 654 | Is it permissible to cure on the Sabbath: Or, allowable, lawful. This issue becomes a point of contention with the Pharisees. At the root of it is law versus
human kindness and charity. There are those religious persons who would pile rules upon rules but are not characterized by kindness and charity. |
MT12:11 Jesus told them,
“Which human among you who has a single sheep – fallen
into a pit on the Sabbath – and will not grab it and pull it out?
| 655 | Sheep: Sheep are Jesus’ favorite animal. They occur 35 times in the Gospels mainly in Matthew (11) and John (20).
Most of the great men of the Bible were somehow associated with sheep in one way or another. Abel possibly sacrificed one. Noah saved their whole kind. Abraham herded them and one replaced his son. Moses went searching for a lost sheep and found Yehowah. Jesus
saves all the sheep to everlasting life. |
MT12:12 So, how much more different is a human from a sheep. Thus, it is permissible to do good on Sabbaths.”
| 656 | How much more different: Jesus has used a similar comparison before – between sparrows and his disciples (Matthew
10:31). |
| 657 | Permissible to do good: We can only imagine the tone in his voice, the look in his eyes,
the warm slight smile, as he said this to those in the synagogue. It is always lawful to do good. Paul is to echo the same idea at Galatians 5:22, 23. |
MT12:13 Then Jesus spoke to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”
And as he did his hand was restored, as sound as the other.
| 658 | Stretch out your hand: This alone is an act of faith and we see on the man’s face expectant confidence. There is
a similar story in the apocryphal book Gospel to the Hebrews. There the man explains himself: “I was a stone mason, seeking my living with my hands. I pray you, Jesus, to give me back my health, so that I shall not need to beg for food in shame.” |
MT12:14 But the Pharisees
had turned out and they conferred against him how they might destroy Jesus.
| 659 | The Pharisees: The evil plot begins which is to be fulfilled a year later. “Destroy” is also rendered: GDSP:
to put him to death; PME: get rid of him altogether. See notes on Matthew 3:7. |
MT12:15 However, realizing this, Jesus withdrew
from there. And many followed him and he cured them all.
| 660 | Jesus withdrew: The Nazarene follows his own counsel to his apostles (Matthew 10:16, 23). |
MT12:16 Jesus cautioned them
not to make him manifest
| 661 | Jesus cautioned them: This is something Jesus does often usually with the result that the news spreads even more. |
MT12:17 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah
might be fulfilled,
| 662 | Isaiah: The quotation is from Isaiah 42:1-4. The work by Archer and Chirichigno, Old Testament Quotations in
the New Testament: a Complete Survey, observes: “This is a classic case of the independence of the LXX on Matthew’s part.” (pages 112-3) |
| 663 | So that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: The quotation explains Jesus’ caution not to tell others. |
MT12:18 “Look! My servant-boy whom I chose, My beloved in whom My soul delights! Upon him I will place My Pneuma. He will announce
justice to the nations.
| 665 | Servant-boy: See notes on Matthew 8:6. Yehowah refers to His Son as His “boy” or servant. Compare Acts 4:27 (PAIDA) and Acts 4:29 (DOULOIS = slaves). |
| 666 | My beloved: The original context deals with the Persia king Cyrus, the instrument of Yehowah in delivering the Jews from Babylon. He is a Messiah-type for
Jesus as Matthew’s inspired application shows. |
| 667 | Upon him I will place My Pneuma: It is Yehowah
who “places” or puts His spirit upon His servant-boy. On Pneuma see Matthew 1:18. PNEUMA means breath or wind in Greek – an invisible pressure. Paul compares pneuma to the “mind of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:16; Isaiah 40:13) |
| 668 | Announce justice: Or, TCNT: announce a time of judgment; MOF: proclaim religion to the Non-Jews; LAM: preach justice to the people. |
MT12:19 He will not quarrel, nor yell, nor will any hear his [raised] voice in public streets.
| 669 | He will not quarrel: Or, KJV: not strive; MOF: not wrangle. |
| 670 | Nor yell: Or, MOF: shout; ASV: cry aloud. The Messiah quietly goes about his work and let this be the means of conviction – not emotional Hitlerian
oratory. William Barclay puts it: “In Jesus there is the quiet, strong serenity of one who seeks to conquer by love, and not by strife of words.” (page 24, Volume 2, The Gospel of Matthew) |
| 671 | Voice in public streets: The screaming street-corner evangelist was not the Nazarene’s method, nor that of any of his disciples. |
MT12:20 He will not crush a bruised reed,
nor smother a flickering [candle] wick – until he sends forth victorious justice.
| 672 | Crush a bruised reed: Or, WEY: crush reed; GDSP: bent reed. Compare notes on Matthew 11:7. The Messiah is gentle and will
do nothing to further injure a faith so weak. It is possible the “bruised reed” was the man in the synagogue with the withered hand. A hardened reed could be used as a measuring rod or a whipping stick. |
| 673 | Smother a flickering [candle] wick: Or, KJV: smoking flax shall not quench; NEB: nor snuff out the smouldering wick; MON: the dimly burning
wick. Rather, the Lord holds his palms around the meager light to protect it from wind. |
| 674 | Until he sends
forth victorious justice: Or, KJV: send forth judgment unto victory; RHM: urge on Justice to victory; TCNT: brought the judgment to a victorious issue; WEY: led on justice to victory; BAS: made righteousness overcome all; KNX: until the time he crowns his judgment with victory. Old Testament Quotations suggests: “Conceivably the establishment of God’s perfect justice on earth is to be understood as involving a conquest or subduing of mankind in order to render them obedient to the Lord’s judgment.” (page 115) |
MT12:21 And in his name nations will hope.”
[Isaiah 42:1-4]| 675 | In his name nations will hope: This idea would have been thought a miracle – that one day the nations
or Non-Jews would hope in Jesus’ name. If Pilate had been told that in three centuries the official religion of Rome would be Christianity and that Caesar would be a Christian himself – it would have been laughable. As we approach the year 2,000
every nation on earth – every land, every island, every language among mankind – has believers and disciples who hope in the name Jesus. The truth of this prophecy is realized first with Cornelius (Acts chapter 10). |
Matthew 12:22-30 – The Charge of Demonism
|| Mark 3:23-30; Luke 11:14-23
MT12:22 Then they approached Jesus with a demonized person
– blind and mute – and he cured him, so the speechless man spoke
and began seeing.
| 676 | Demonized person: Or, KJV: possessed with a devil; WEY: demoniac. Compare Matthew 9:32. |
| 677 | Speechless man spoke: We wonder at his first words. |
MT12:23 And the crowds were beside themselves
and were saying, “Is this person not the Son of David?”
| 678 | Beside themselves: Or, KJV: the people were amazed; WMS: dumbfounded; PME: wild with excitement. |
| 679 | The Son of David: One of the earliest designations given Jesus (Matthew 1:1). Note, Joseph is also so-called (Matthew 1:20).
See footnotes on Matthew 9:27. |
MT12:24 But when the Pharisees heard this,
they said, “This fellow does not exorcise demons save by Beelzebul,
the ruler of the demons.”
| 680 | Pharisees heard this: The whole incident must drive them wild with hatred: they see the miracle and note the crowd’s
reaction. The focus is on the Nazarene and this arouses their jealousy. |
| 681 | Beelzebul: See footnotes
on Matthew 10:25. Jesus makes it clear this is a cryptic name for Satan. |
MT12:25 Realizing their thoughts, Jesus told them:
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be devastated. Every
town or house divided against itself will not remain standing.
| 682 | Devastated: Or, KJV: brought to desolation; WEY: in which civil war rages; GDSP: destruction; PME: bound to collapse. |
MT12:26 And so if Satan
exorcised Satan he was divided against himself. So, how would his kingdom remain standing?
| 683 | Satan: The Jewish clergy have really called Jesus Satan. This is about the worst accusation that can be made against a
godly person. It is even beyond “apostate.” See the notes on Matthew 4:10 and 5:22. |
| 684 | His
kingdom: Satan has his own kingdom and there are those within the realm of that kingdom. These are those he rules over and who have becomes “sons of the wicked one.” The major characteristic which differentiates the two kingdoms is hatred and
love (Matthew 13:38; John 8:44; 1 John 3:10). |
MT12:27 And, if I am exorcising demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons exorcise? Therefore, they will be your judges.
| 685 | Your sons: The rabbis were called “father” and thus their own disciples were their children or sons. Or, NJB:
your experts; WEY: your disciples. Compare 1 Kings 20:35; 2 Kings 2:3. |
| 686 | Exorcise: Josephus records
a case of casting out demons (Antiquities 8. 2. 5). He also reports the Jewish rabbis used a herb or drug Macherus (Wars of the Jews 7. 6. 3). In the Jewish apocryphal book Tobit there is an example of the exorcism of a maiden with
whom a wicked demon was in love (Tobit 6:16; 8:1-4). |
| 687 | They will be your judges: It is possible
the “they” are the rabbis own “sons” who will critique their master’s words and actions in this accusation. Or, RIEU: you stand condemned by them; NEB: if this is your argument, they themselves will refute you. |
MT12:28 But, if I exorcise demons by God’s Pneuma, really the Realm of the God has passed you by.
| 688 | By God’s Pneuma: In Luke 11:19, 20 this is God’s “finger.” Thus, the Pneuma or Spirit is likened
to God’s finger, a very small part of all that God is. |
| 689 | Passed you by: Or, KJV: comes unto
you; RHM: has come upon you unawares; MOF: reached you already; GDSP: overtaken you; PME: swept over you unawares. As matters develop the Pharisees are in a highly dangerous situation with relation to God and the unforgivable sin: they have called Jesus an
apostate and demonized (Matthew 5:22). It is possible, therefore, that their opportunity to become part of the realm of Nazarene profession (the Christian Church) is dim indeed. They may have missed their opportunity (Matthew 23:13, 15, 33). |
MT12:29 Or, how is anyone able to enter a powerful person’s home and grab his [valuable] cups without first binding the powerful person?
And only then can his home be pillaged.
| 690 | Powerful person’s: Or, strong man’s. Compare Isaiah 49:24-26. |
| 691 | Grab his [valuable] cups: Or, KJV: spoil his goods; RHM: seize his goods; TCNT: carry of his goods. |
| 692 | Home be pillaged: Or, KJV: spoil his house; MON: rob his house; WMS: make a clean sweep of his house; WEY: ransack his house. |
MT12:30 The person not with me is against me, and the person not assembling with me scatters. | 693 | Not with me is against me: Compare Luke 9:50. |
| 694 | Not assembling with me scatters: Or, GDSP: anyone who does not join me in gathering, scatters; BAS: he who does not take part with me in getting people together, is driving them away. The Greek is SYNAGON related to “synagogue.” How does one gather or assemble with Christ? |
Matthew 12:31-32 – Blasphemy against the Pneuma
|| Luke 12:10
MT12:31 “Because of this I tell you: Every human sin and blasphemy will be canceled, but blasphemy against the Pneuma will not be canceled.
| 695 | Every human sin: This is the first case of the word “sin” from Jesus’ mouth. The word occurs only 3 times in Matthew (See Matthew 18:15, 21). |
| 696 | Blasphemy: The Greek is BLASPHEMIA and is also rendered: RHM: profane speaking; TCNT: slander; GDSP: abusive speech; WEY: impious word. |
| 697 | Canceled: The Greek is APHETHESETAI. See the notes on Matthew 6:12. Often translated “forgive.” In the case of judgment it means: Not Guilty; or, Guilty. Strong’s’ No. 863; aphiemi {af-ee’-ay-mee} Word Origin: from 575 and hiemi (to send, an intens. form of eimi, to go); Word Usage in KJV: leave, 52; forgive, 47; suffer, 14; let, 8; forsake, 6 let alone, 6; misc, 13. |
| 698 | Blasphemy against the Pneuma: Note, the Nazarene says nothing about ‘blasphemy against God.’ How could one sin against Jesus (if he were The God) and not against the holy spirit? Jesus uses Pneuma as the unseen power of God. It is the same as sinning against God Himself. It is abusive speech against God’s way of doing things and those upon whom He has placed His Pneuma. Note the words of the Pharisees: they accuse of Jesus’ work as that of the Devil! Many have pained themselves out of dread they have sin against the spirit. If some so condemn themselves, it is likely they have not sinned so. Those who have blasphemed God have no repentance (Hebrews 6:4ff). |
MT12:32 And so whoever speaks a word against the Son of Humankind – it will be canceled. However, anyone who speaks against the Holy Pneuma, it will not be canceled – not in this Age, nor in the New Age. | 699 | Speaks a word against the Son: Note what comes later about how a person’s words either justify or condemn. Even abusive speech against the Son may be forgiven. Many have used “Jesus Christ” as a profane curse or “swear word.” Jews throughout the age have spoken against Jesus and cursed his name. Even this is forgiven. |
| 700 | Speaks against the Holy Pneuma: Note what the Pharisees have done: they have called someone anointed with the spirit as demonized – under the influence of Satan. The speech is not against the Pneuma directly but that agent of God’s unseen spiritual pressure that accomplishes His will. This is very similar to Matthew 5:22 – addressing a genuine servant of God as an “apostate.” See notes on Matthew 5:22. |
| 701 | Age: The Greek is AIONI. The closest English word is eon, aeon. So the closest would be, “this eon or that to come.” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines it as, 1) for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity; 2) the worlds, universe; 3) period of time, age. The word occurs many times with a wide range of meaning. Other renderings are: KJV: this world; TCNT: present age; NWT: system of things. There are two ages from Jesus’ standpoint: this one, and the next. |
| 702 | New Age: Inferred. Or, KJV: world to come; TCNT: the age to come. |
Matthew 12:33-37 – Judgment Day!
|| Luke 6:43-45
MT12:33 “You either make the tree good and its fruitage good, or you make the tree rotten and the fruitage rotten. For a tree is known by its fruitage.
| 703 | You either make the tree: An awesome thought. We make the tree – either good or wicked. Jesus uses the tree as a
metaphor for what a person produces. He has done it already in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:17). John the Baptists uses the idea first. See Matthew 3:10. |
| 704 | Good: The Greek is KALON and is generally rendered “good” though there is another word for such – AGATHOS. There is a shade of difference in the two words. It is something like the Spanish
bueno as opposed to bein. One means “good,” and the other “fine.” These are words in English with wide ranges of meaning and only the context can indicate what is being meant. In the KJV the word occurs 102 times and is
generally rendered “good.” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance indicates other meanings: 1) beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable; 1a) beautiful to look at, shapely,
magnificent; 1b) good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends; 1b1) genuine, approved. |
| 705 |
Fruitage: An often used idea of the Nazarene. Compare John 15:1-10. To Jesus the greatest of the fruitages are: faith and love (1 John 3:23). Fruitage is proof of one’s heart or inner motives and agenda. Fruitage which is self-centered leads to
wickedness. Fruitage which is self-less leads to goodness and love. |
| 706 | Or: There are only two choices. |
MT12:34 Generation of vipers,
how can you speak good when you are wicked? For out of the heart’s bounty the mouth speaks.
| 707 | Generation of vipers: Or, ASV: offspring; WEY: brood. Jesus uses the condemnation again at Matthew 23:33. He has in mind
the Pharisees, not the average folk. Compare John 8:44. These are the “seed” or offspring of the original serpent (Genesis 3:15). |
| 708 |
How can you speak good: They have just accused Jesus of being associated with Satan. |
| 709 | Heart’s
bounty: Or, KJV: abundance of the heart; TCNT: what fills the heart will rise to the lips; KNX: heart’s overflow. Proof of the heart’s motive is the mouth. What does one talk about? What is the general subject of conversation? How does one speak of another? Someone in this audience has just uttered the word “Beelzebubel” as an accusation against – not Jesus directly – but what he has done, by the Holy Pneuma. |
MT12:35 Out of the good person’s heart comes a treasure of goodness; and expelled out of the wicked person’s wicked treasure comes wickedness.
| 710 | Good: The Greek is AGATHOS and generally translated “good.” The English word is one that has scores of meanings.
Here it means morally excellent or virtuous kindness. Good is something positive toward another. The morality of this Nazarene teacher rises to celestial heights. Though it often means what is upright and honorable, it goes beyond mere righteousness. Righteousness
is obedient to law. That is, a law-abiding person. AGATHOS goes beyond the law to do a kindness not necessarily required by the law. |
| 711 |
A treasure of goodness: The Greek for “treasure” is THESAUROU, or that which is saved or stored up. It is not a matter of one act of goodness – but a treasure of goodness. The good tree has been growing for years from a seedling to
a mature fruit-bearer. |
| 712 | Expelled out: The Greek is EKBALLEI and is related to the word from which
“exorcise” comes. Or, GDSP: out of what he has accumulated that is bad, brings out things that are. |
| 713 |
Wicked: The Greek is PONERA (PONEROS, PONEROU) and is also rendered: KJV: evil; GDSP: bad. The English word is related to “witch” and in its extreme forms means bad moral character, evil, depraved. The Greek means hurtful or malicious, so
it is rooted in what is unkind and unloving toward others. The word has some range and the Nazarene, perhaps sarcastically, even calls his disciples “wicked.” Compare Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13. Consider what is involved in wickedness and how they
all violate the Golden Rule: Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech.” (Weymouth) Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, the
evil reasonings do come forth, adulteries, whoredoms, murders, thefts, covetous desires, wickedness, deceit, arrogance, an evil eye, evil speaking, pride, foolishness; all these evils do come forth from within, and they defile the man.” (Young) |
| 714 | Wicked treasure: As a person grows – like a tree – certain traits and characteristics are developing and evolving.
Everyone has stored up something in attitudes and personality attributes. Some, however, have saved or stored up a treasure with a bent toward wickedness. Essentially wickedness is that character which is self-seeking, unloving, and without faith. It is the
ego gone amuck. |
MT12:36 But I tell you that every fruitless word human’s speak will be held to account
on Judgment Day.
| 715 | Every fruitless word: The Greek is AERGOS and rooted in ERGON (work) and means “non-working” or idle. It is
a word spoken when one is relaxed, not on guard. A word revealing the true character. Or, KJV: every idle word; TCNT: every careless word; RHM: every useless expression; NEB: thoughtless word. The Greek may mean a word or a message. The word here in the context
was “Beelzebul” directed against Jesus. This is not a mere slip of the lip for none are perfect in their speech (James 3:1-3; 1 John 1:8; 1 Kings 8:46; Proverbs 20:9). This is evilly motivated out of jealous hatred. Ancient Greek playwright said:
“A man’s character can be known by his words.” Pythagoras offered: “Choose rather to fling a chance stone than to speak a chance word.” |
| 716 | Held to account: Or, KJV: give account; NWT: accountable; NAS: render account. Jesus makes clear we will answer for every wicked word on Judgment Day. In the audience was someone who spoke an unforgivable word,
“Beelzebul.” A name of accusation against the power behind the Nazarene. Now, surely, his error comes back upon his head to haunt him. Paul expresses something similar in 2 Corinthians 5:10; and, John does so in 1 John 2:28; 4:17. There are two
outcomes for he Christian during the parousia-judgment: a clear conscience or shame and embarrassment (Daniel 12:2; 1 John 2:28). |
| 717 |
Judgment Day: See notes on Matthew 7:3; 11:22. Compare Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:12-14. |
MT12:37 For by your words you will be declared ‘Not Guilty,’ and by your words you will be accursed.” | 718 | Declared ‘Not Guilty’: The Greek is DIKAIOTHESE
and is generally rendered “justified.” RIEU: acquitted; NWT: declared righteous. Note the basis for judgment by Jesus: it is our mouth. Surely a heart full of love will never speak wickedness against another. In the context before us the words are a horror: accusing another of being demonized or apostate (Matthew 5:22). |
| 719 | Accursed: Or, KJV: condemned. It is the same word for “justified” above with the addition of the preposition: KATA-DIKASTHESE. The idea is “Guilty!” |
Matthew 12:38-42 – Signs in Jonah and the Queen of the South
|| Luke 11:29-32
MT12:38 Some of the scribes and Pharisees
responded to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign
from you.”
| 720 | The scribes and Pharisees: Have some of them repented and changed their tune? Has the warning of the Nazarene made them
think? They now address as “Teacher” the one they insinuated was in league with Beelzebul. |
| 721 |
We wish to see a sign: Paul writes, “Jews ask for signs.” (1 Corinthians 1:22; Luke 11:29) It is said of a certain Rabbi that when he was asked when Messiah would come, he responded, “I am afraid you will ask me for a sign.” |
MT12:39 Jesus answered them, saying,
“A wicked and adulterous generation keeps seeking for a sign;
and, no sign will be given it other than the sign of Jonah.
| 722 | Wicked and adulterous generation: Jesus does not compromise or water down his response. Surely the words are directed at the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is to use the whole condemnatory phrase again at Matthew 16:4. Or, GDSP: wicked and faithless. On the derogatory adulterous compare Jeremiah 3:6-11. |
| 723 | The sign of Jonah: This cryptic must have grabbed at the Pharisees who loved riddles. They knew the Book of Jonah well. How could this prophet be involved here? |
MT12:40 For just as
Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish
three days and three nights, just so will the Son of Humankind be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.
| 724 | Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish: Jesus believes in the account of Jonah and the great fish which is nowhere described
as a whale. |
| 725 | Heart of the earth: Meaning Hades or the grave. |
| 726 | Three days and three nights: A Hebraism meaning any part of three days or less. It is clear Jesus was to be raised the third day for he so
states (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; Luke 24:46). Compare 1 Kings 12:12ff (Hosea 6:2; 1 Corinthians 15:4). |
MT12:41 Male
Ninevites will stand up [again]
in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it – because
they repented at the preaching of Jonah,
and, look! something more of Jonah is present!
| 727 | Male: There are a number of Greek words that may be translated “man (men).” Here the Greek is ANDRES (ANDROS). |
| 728 | Stand up [again]: The Greek is ANASTESONTAI and essentially means the same as the English “resurrected.” Related
words occur in the third century BC Jewish Greek Septuagint (LXX): Job 14:12 (ANASTE), Job 42:17 (ANASTESESTHAI, ANISTESIN), Isaiah 26:19 (ANASTESONTAI), Daniel 12:13 (ANASTESE). Jesus uses forms of the word over a dozen times. Compare John 5:28, 29
where the Nazarene alludes to Isaiah 26:19 LXX. |
| 729 | In the judgment: Or, Judgment Day. Or, NEB: when
this generation is on trial; WEY: awake at the judgment. See the key words Judgment Day and resurrection. See Revelation 20:5, 12-14. |
| 730 | Will condemn it: Or, LAM: find it guilty; KNX: will leave it without excuse. |
| 731 |
They repented at the preaching of Jonah: Read Jonah chapter 3. Tens of thousands of people responded to Jonah’s warning and as a result the city was spare, much to the disappointment of Jonah who was then taught another divine lesson. |
| 732 | Something more of Jonah is present: Or, KJV: behold, a greater than Jonas is here; TCNT: here is more than a Jonah; WEY: and,
mark! there is One greater than Jonah here. He means himself. |
MT12:42 The
queen of the south will be raised up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it – because
she came from earth’s limits
to hear the wisdom of
Solomon; and, look! something more of Solomon is present. | 733 | Queen of the south: Jesus means the Queen of Sheba who journeyed to hear Solomon for herself (1 Kings 10:1-10). It was not Solomon
per se but his God which motivated her, for the account reads, “the report regarding Solomon with regard to the name of Yehowah.” |
| 734 | Raised up in the judgment with this generation: From the Nazarene here we know the Ninevites, the queen of Sheba, and that generation will be resurrected (Acts 24:15). |
| 735 | She came from earth’s limits: She traveled 1,200 miles from northern Africa. This was one serious effort on her part and her entourage.
The great trade routes to and from Jerusalem were classically great. |
| 736 | To hear the wisdom of: The
contrast between the effort of this godly lady and the Nazarene’s generation is stark. What do they have before them and instead of listening to wisdom they accuse him of demonism and ask for an evidence. |
| 737 | Something more of Solomon is present: Solomon is said to have written 3,000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32). He wrote Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. And, yet,
this crowd as much more before them in Jesus. How Solomon will fair in the resurrection is left to the judgment of God. |
Matthew 12:43-45 – A Generation Seven Times Worse
|| Luke 11:24-26
MT12:43 “But whenever the unclean pneuma leaves a human it passes through a wasteland seeking a place to rest and finds nothing.
| 738 | Unclean pneuma: Or, “unclean spirit.” (Mark 1:23, 26; 3:30; 5:28; 7:25; Luke 8:29; 9:42; 11:24) See notes on PNEUMA elsewhere. The Greek PNEUMA means breath or wind and metamorphically for something unseen such as an angel or demon (1 Kings 22:21, 22; Ezekiel 3:12, 14; 8:3; 11:1, 24; 43:5; Acts 23:8, 9; 1 Peter 3:19, 20). Jesus means either a demon or an attitude (disposition) (1 Chronicles 5:26; Ezra 1:1, 5; Haggai 1:14; Ecclesiastes 10:4; Genesis 41:8; Daniel 2:1, 3; Acts 17:16; Judges 8:3; Job 7:11; Psalm 142:2, 3; John 11:33; 13:21; Genesis 45:27, 28; Isaiah 57:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 16:17, 18; 2 Corinthians 7:13; 2 Corinthians 2:13). (Compare Koehler and Baumgartner’s Lexicon in Veteris Testamenti Libros, Leiden, 1958, pp. 877-879; Brown, Driver, and Briggs’ Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, 1980, pp. 924-926; Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, edited by G. Friedrich, translated by G. Bromiley, 1971, Vol. VI, pp. 332-451). |
| 739 | Leaves a human: The whole phrase is filled with possible interpretations and opinions are many. The main point is moving from one condition to one much worse. |
| 740 | Wasteland: Or, TCNT: places where there is no water; WEY: desert. Compare Leviticus 16:8; 17:7; Isaiah 13:21; 34:14; Revelation 18:2. |
| 741 | Place to rest: Or, MOF: search of ease. |
MT12:44 Then [the unclean pneuma] says, ‘I shall return to my house I left.’ Now returning it finds [the house] empty, swept clean, and supplied.
| 742 | Empty, swept clean, and supplied: Or, TCNT: unoccupied and put in order; WMS: ready for use; NWT: adorned. |
MT12:45 Now it hurries away and finds seven other pneumas more wicked than itself. Having entered, it takes up residence. The ultimate state of the human becomes worse than the original. So it will be with this wicked generation.” | 743 | More
wicked: There are degrees of evil among demons; or, there are degrees of wicked disposition. William Barclay writes: “Evil is a force which may be at bay but is never eliminated.” |
| 744 | Having entered, it takes up residence: KJV: they enter in and dwell there. |
| 745 | Ultimate state: GDSP: in the end man is worse off than he was before. |
| 746 |
So it will be with this wicked generation: This is the main point. It is an “adulterous” (apostate) generation of Jews. Jesus possibly has in mind that type who would make the accusation of demon association (Beelzebul) against Jesus. One
possible meaning is that on Judgment Day – when it becomes more tolerable for Nineveh – the disposition of these persons will be worse. |
Matthew 12:46-50 – The True Family of Messiah
|| Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21
MT12:46 While still speaking to the crowds, look! his mother
and brothers
were waiting outside to speak with
Jesus.
| 747 | His mother: The mother of our Lord is rare in the Gospels and often unnamed (Matthew 1:18; 13:55; Mark 3:31; Luke 2:48,
51; 8:19; John 2:5, 12; 19:25, 26). Nothing indicates she was a follower or even a believer at this time. She is differentiated from his “disciples.” Jesus even elsewhere infers that he may have not been honored or respected as a prophet even among
his own family early on. |
| 748 | Brothers: Jesus has four brothers so named: “James and Joseph
and Simon and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?” (Matthew 13:55, 56) The number and names of his sisters are never mentioned. Later, at least one (James) became a power in the Christian Church. See the word James in Acts, 1
Corinthians, and Galatians. The epistle of James is attributed to this brother. |
| 749 | Waiting outside
to speak with: We never discover the reason. One may speculate but it is useless: family business, a share in his honor. Few sons would have acted in this manner without serious cause. Compare John 7:3, 5. |
MT12:47 Someone called to Jesus, “Look! Your mother and brothers are standing outside wanting to speak to you.”
MT12:48 Jesus responded and told this person:
“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”
MT12:49 Now Jesus pointed at his disciples and said:
“Look here! My ‘mother’ and my ‘brothers.’ | 750 | My ‘mother’ and my ‘brothers’: The Nazarene’s real ‘family’ is spiritual and related
to him by faith. It is very possible that none of his fleshly family were among his disciples, or following him. Perhaps this is the reason for the terse ignoring of his family. At least twice family members wanted him to perform miracles for their benefit
(John 2:1-12; 7:3, 5). It is only the beloved apostle John who brings this out. Hebrews 2:10-13 indicates Jesus Christ and the members of his Church are originating with The God. A point to note is that if Jesus were “God” then his followers would
be brothers of God, not sons. William Barclay notes: “It was one of the great human tragedies of Jesus’ life that during his lifetime, his nearest and dearest never understood him.… When Jesus set out on his public mission, his friends tried
to restrain him, for they said he was mad (Mark 3:21). He seemed to them to be busily engaged in throwing his life away in a kind of sanity.… ‘A Christian’s only relatives,’ said one of the early martyrs, ‘are the saints.’”
(page 52) |
MT12:50 For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father – these are my brother and sister
and mother.”| 751 | Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father: The word “will” is from the Greek THELMA
and may be rendered determination, choice, desire or wish. What is the “will of the Father”? Surely this is connected to His “eternal purpose”? Jesus uses the phrase twice in Matthew. See notes on Matthew 7:21. Only in John 6:40 is the How of doing the will of the Father explained: “For this is the will of my Father: Everyone who observes the Son and deeply believes in him will have everlasting life.” This is put another way in another context when some ask Jesus what the work of God is so that they may do it. The Nazarene responds: “This is the work of The God that you deeply believe in the One He sent forth.” (John 6:29) Faith or conviction is right at the center of the Father’s will. This belief or faith surely involves a knowledge of the Messiah’s teachings or “doctrine.” (John 7:17 KJV)
“The will of God” is discussed by Paul, Peter, and John. How the Church is involved in His will: to serve for the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:9-13). God’s will is something to continually comprehend: be careful how one walks in the world (Ephesians 5:15-20). God’s will includes His sanctification which requires abstaining from fornication, illicit passions, and adultery (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). Prayer and thankfulness are part of God’s will (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). God’s will includes doing God and loving the brotherhood (1 Peter 2:15-17). God’s will may include suffering (1 Peter 4:19). There are three things that are not part of God’s will: fleshly desire, covetousness, and bragging about materialism (1 John 2:15-17). Perhaps God’s will is best summarized by His commandment: to have faith in His Son; and, love one another (1 John 3:23). |
| 752 | Sister: Jesus has been silent on female followers until now. Though no woman is ever called a disciple in the Gospels, there were women who were “with” Jesus’ entourage of disciples. These “ministered to Jesus and his disciples from their belongings.” (Luke 8:2, 3) The truth is the Nazarene had spiritual ‘sisters’. In time, throughout the Gospel Age of the Church female disciples of Jesus out number the men. In the New Creation – the Seed of Abraham – there are no females – nor males – for all are “sons” and one in Christ (Galatians 3:26-29). |
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Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
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