Matthew 12
1 During that period of time, on a (Sabbath/Jewish day of rest), Jesus [and we] disciples were walking through some grain fields. And because we were hungry, we began to pick some of the heads of grain and eat them. [The laws of Moses permitted people to do that if they were hungry].
About the same time Jesus walked through the cornfields one Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and began to pick some ears of wheat and eat them.
2 Some Pharisees saw us [do what they considered to be work]. So they said to Jesus, [accusing him], “Look! Your disciples are doing [work] that is not permitted [in our] laws [PRS] [for us] to do on our day of rest!”
But, when the Pharisees saw this, they said, ‘Look! Your disciples are doing what it is not allowable to do on a Sabbath!’
3 [Jesus wanted to show them that the record in the Scriptures indicated that God permitted people to disobey certain religious laws when they needed food]. [So] he said to them, “[It is written] {[Someone wrote]} [in the Scriptures] [RHQ] what [our revered ancestor King] David did when he and the men with him were hungry. You have read about that, ([but you do not think about what it implies!/so why do you not think about what it implies]?) [RHQ]
‘Haven’t you read,’ replied Jesus, ‘what David did, when he and his companions were hungry –
4 David entered the big tent [where they worshipped] God [and asked for some food. The high priest gave him] the bread that had been {they had} presented [to God]. According to the laws [of Moses], only priests were permitted to eat that bread, but David and the men who were with him ate it. And [God did not consider that what they did was wrong]
how he went into the house of God, and how they ate the consecrated bread, through it was not allowable for him or his companions to eat it, but only for the priests?
5 Also, think about the laws that [Moses wrote] [RHQ]. He said that [even though] the priests, [by working] in the Temple on our Jewish day of rest, are not obeying the Jewish day of rest [laws], they are not guilty. You have surely read that, [but you do not understand what it means].
And haven’t you read in the law that, on the Sabbath, the priest in the Temple break the Sabbath and yet are not guilty?
6 Note this: [God allows men to work in] the Temple [on our rest day because that work must be done. But in addition, I] tell you that [I have] more [authority than the authority of] the Temple. So, it is more important for you to obey my teachings than to obey your traditions about our rest day.
Here, however, I tell you, there is something greater than the Temple!
7 [You should think about] these words [of God in the Scriptures]: ‘I want you to [act] mercifully toward people, and not [just] offer sacrifices.’ If you understood what that means, you would not condemn [my disciples], who have done no wrong.
Had you learned the meaning of the words – “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned those who are not guilty.
8 [And I want you to know that] I, the one who came from heaven, have [the] authority [to determine what is right for my disciples to do on] the days of rest.”
For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.’
9 After Jesus left there [that day], he went into a building where we Jews worship God.
Passing on, Jesus went into their synagogue,
10 [He saw] a man with a shriveled hand there. [The Pharisees thought that Jesus would be disobeying the tradition about not working on the day of rest if he healed the man, so one of] them asked him, “Does [God] permit [us] to heal [people] on our day of rest?” [They asked that question] so that they might accuse him [if he healed someone] (on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day).
and there he saw a man with a withered hand. Some people asked Jesus whether it was allowable to work a cure on the Sabbath – so that they might have a charge to bring against him.
11 He replied to them, “Would anyone among you who has [only] one sheep that falls into a hole (on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day) [just leave it there] [RHQ]? [Certainly not]! You would take hold of it and lift it out right away, [and that would be acceptable work on our day of rest, too]
But Jesus said to them, ‘Which of you, if he had only one sheep, and that sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath, would not lay hold of it and pull it out?
12 [Because] sheep are valuable, [their owners may work on our day of rest in order to rescue them. So, because] people are more valuable than sheep, it is certainly right for us to do something good [by healing another person any day, including] our day of rest!”
How much more precious a person is than a sheep! Therefore it is allowable to do good on the Sabbath.’
13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your [withered] hand!” The man stretched it out, and it became normal like the other hand!
Then he said to the man. ‘Stretch out your hand.’ The man stretched it out; and it had become as sound as the other.
14 Then the Pharisees left [the meeting house. They were worried that the people would reject their traditions and would accept Jesus’ teaching instead. So] they met together to plan how they could kill him.
On coming out, the Pharisees plotted against Jesus, to put him to death.
15 Because Jesus knew [that the Pharisees were plotting to kill him], he [took us disciples and] went away from there. Crowds, [including many sick people], followed him, [wanting him to heal them], and he healed them all.
Jesus, however, became aware of it, and went away from that place. A number of people followed him, and he cured them all;
16 But he told them firmly that they should not tell [other people yet] who he was.
but he warned them not to make him known,
17 [By acting humbly like that] he fulfilled what was written by Isaiah the prophet {what Isaiah the prophet wrote} [long ago about the Messiah]. [Isaiah wrote] that God said:
in fulfilment of these words in the prophet Isaiah –
18 Take note of my servant whom I have chosen, the one whom I love and with whom I am pleased. I will put my Spirit in him, and he will proclaim that [God] will judge the non-Jews justly.
“Here is my chosen servant, who I love and who pleases me! I will breathe my spirit on him, and he will announce a time of judgment to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel [with people], neither will he shout. He will not [teach with] a loud voice in the [main] streets.
He will not contend, nor cry aloud, Neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 Until he has justly judged [the people who trust in him and] has declared them not guilty, he will not destroy [anyone who is weak like] a smashed stalk [MET], nor will he silence [anyone who is as helpless as] a smoldering [linen] wick [MET, DOU].
a bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not quench, until he has brought the judgment to a victorious issue,
21 As a result, the non-Jews will confidently expect [that he will do great things for them].
and on his name will the Gentiles rest their hopes.”
22 One day when Jesus was at home, [some men] brought to [Jesus] a man [who, because of being] controlled by a demon {a demon controlled him}, was blind and unable to speak. [Jesus] healed him [by expelling the demon]. As a result, the man [began to] talk and [was able to] see.
Then some people brought to Jesus a possessed man, who was blind and dumb; and he cured him, so that the man who had been dumb both talked and saw.
23 All the crowd [who saw it] marveled. They began asking [each other], “Could this man be the [Messiah, the] descendant of [King] David, [whom we have been expecting]?”
At this all the people were astounded. ‘Is it possible that this is the son of David?’ they exclaimed.
24 Because the Pharisees [and the men who taught the Jewish laws] heard [that the people thought that Jesus might be the Messiah because he had expelled the demon], they said, “[It is not God, but] Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons, who enables [this man] to expel demons [from people!]”
But the Pharisees heard of it and said, ‘He drives out demons only by the help of Beelzebul the chief of the demons.’
25 But Jesus knew what [the Pharisees] were thinking [and saying]. So, [in order to show them that what they said did not make sense], he said to them, “If [the people in] [MTY] one nation fight against each other, [they] will destroy their nation {their nation will be destroyed}. If [people who live in] the same city or house fight each other, they will certainly not remain [as one group or family].
Jesus, however, was aware of what was passing in their minds, and said to them, ‘Any kingdom divided against itself becomes a desolation, and any town or household divided against itself will not last.
26 [Similarly], if Satan were expelling his own [demons] [MTY], [it would be as though] he was fighting against himself. (His kingdom would not continue!/How could his kingdom continue?) [RHQ] His rule over them would [certainly] not last!
So, if Satan drives Satan out, he must be divided against himself; and how, then, can his kingdom last?
27 Furthermore, if [it is true that] Satan enables me to expel demons, is it also true that your disciples [who] expel demons [do so] by [Satan’s] power [RHQ]? [No] So they will show you that you [are not thinking logically].
And, if it is by Beelzebul’s help that I drive out demons, by whose help is it that your own sons drive them out? Therefore they will themselves be your judges.
28 But because it is God’s Spirit who [enables] me to expel demons, [that proves that the power of] God to rule [people’s lives] has come to you.
But, if it is by the help of the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God must already be upon you.
29 [I will illustrate why I am able to expel demons]. (A person cannot go into the house of a strong man) [RHQ] [But if he ties up the strong man], then he will be able to steal [the things in that man’s] house.
How, again, can anyone get into a strong man’s house and carry off his goods, without first securing him? Not until then will he plunder his house.
30 [No one can be neutral]. Those who do not acknowledge [that the Holy Spirit enables] me [to expel demons] are opposing me, and those who do not gather [people to become] my [disciples] are causing [those people] to [DOU] go away [from me].
Anyone who is not with me is against me, and the person who does not help me to gather is scattering.
31 You [are saying that it is not the Holy Spirit who is enabling me to expel demons]. So I will say this to you: [If] those who offend and slander other people in any way are [then sorry and ask God to forgive them, God] will forgive them. But people who discredit what the Holy Spirit does will not be forgiven {[God] will not forgive [people] who discredit what the Holy Spirit does}.
Therefore, I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and slander; but slander against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
32 [God is willing to] forgive people who criticize [me], the One who came from heaven. But I [warn you that] those who say evil things about what the Holy Spirit [does] will not be forgiven {[God] will not forgive people who speak evil words about what the Holy Spirit [does]}. They will not be forgiven {[He] will not forgive them} now, and they will never be forgiven {[he] will never forgive them}.” (aiōn g165)
Whoever speaks against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in the present age, or in the age to come. (aiōn g165)
33 “Think about this: You can know whether [a person is good and what that person says is good, in the same way that you] can know whether a tree [MET] and the fruit it produces [MET] are good. [You can also know whether a person and what that person says is evil in the same way that you can know] whether a tree [MET] and its fruit [MET] are blighted. You can know whether a tree is good by [seeing] its fruit, and similarly [people can know the evil character of you Pharisees by listening to your accusations against me].
‘You must assume either that both tree and fruit are good, or that both tree and fruit are worthless; since it is by its fruits that a tree is known.
34 [What] you [teach harms people spiritually like poisonous] snakes [harm them physically] [MET]! You are not able to speak good things because you are evil [RHQ]. Evil people [SYN] [like you] speak what comes from all that is in their (inner beings/hearts).
You children of snakes! How can you, evil as you are, say anything good? For what fills the heart will rise to the lips.
35 Good people [speak good things. That is like] taking good things out of buildings where they are stored. But evil people [speak evil things. That is like] taking evil things out of buildings where they are stored.
A good person, from his good stores, produces good things; while an evil person, from his evil stores, produces evil things.
36 I tell you that on the day when God judges [MTY], he will make people recall every useless word they have spoken, [and he will judge them accordingly].
I tell you that for every careless thing that people say, they must answer on the “day of judgment.”
37 Based on the words that you have spoken, [God] will [either] declare that you are righteous based on the words that you have spoken, or [else] he will condemn you.”
For it is by your words that you will be acquitted, and by your words that you will be condemned.’
38 Then some of the Pharisees and men who taught the [Jewish] laws responded [to what Jesus was teaching] by saying to him, “Teacher, we want to see you [perform] a miracle [that would prove to us that God sent you].”
At this point, some teachers of the Law and Pharisees spoke up. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want to see some sign from you.’
39 Then Jesus said to them, “[You] people [have already seen me perform miracles], but you are evil, and you do not faithfully worship God [MET]! You want [me to perform] a miracle [that would prove to you that God sent me], but [God will enable] you to see only one miracle. It will be [like] what happened to Jonah the prophet [MET].
‘It is a wicked and unfaithful generation,’ answered Jesus, ‘that is asking for a sign, and no sign will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
40 Jonah was in the stomach of a huge fish for three days and nights [before God caused him to live again]. Similarly, for three days and nights I, the one who came from heaven, will be in a place [where dead people are, and then God will cause me to live again].
For, just as Jonah was inside the sea-monster three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 When [God] judges [all people], the people who lived in Nineveh will stand [in front of him] with [you] people who [have seen me perform miracles]. The [people of Nineveh turned from their sinful ways as a result of hearing what] Jonah preached. [Jonah was important, but I], who am more important than Jonah, [have come and preached to you, but you have not turned from your sinful ways. So] when [God] judges [all people, he] will condemn you.
At the judgment, the people of Nineveh will stand up with this generation, and will condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation; and here is more than a Jonah!
42 The queen from [Sheba, South of Israel, who lived long ago, came from a distant region in order to listen to King Solomon teach] many wise things. But now [I], [a man] who [is much] greater [and wiser] than Solomon, am here, [but you have not listened to what I have told you]. So at the time when [God] judges [all people], the queen from [Sheba will stand in front of him, along] with you people, and will condemn you.”
At the judgment the Queen of the South will rise up with the present generation, and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon; and here is more than a Solomon!
43 “[Sometimes] when an evil spirit leaves a person, it wanders around in desolate areas, seeking [someone in whom it can] rest. If it does not find anyone,
No sooner does a foul spirit leave a person, than it passes through places where there is no water, in search of rest, and does not find it.
44 it says [to itself], ‘I will return to the person [MET] in whom I used to live.’ So it goes back [and finds that the Spirit of God is not in control of that] person’s [life. The person’s life is like] a house that has been swept clean and everything put in order [MET], [but it is] empty.
Then it says “I will go back to the home which I left”; but, on coming there, it finds it unoccupied, and swept, and put in order.
45 Then [this evil spirit] goes and gets seven other spirits that are [even] more evil, and they [all] enter [that person] and [begin] living there. [So, although] that person’s condition [was bad] before, it becomes much worse. That is what [you] wicked people who [have heard me teach] will experience.”
Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in, and make their home there; and the last state of that man proves to be worse than the first. So, too, will it be with this wicked generation.’
46 While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his [younger] brothers [arrived]. They stood outside [the house], wanting to speak with him.
While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside, asking to speak to him.
47 Someone said to him, “Your mother and your [younger] brothers are standing outside [the house], wanting to talk to you.”
Someone told him this, and Jesus replied,
48 Then Jesus said to the person who told him [that], “([I will tell you something about] my mother and brothers [MET].[/Do you know] who I [consider to be like] my mother and my brothers?)” [MET, RHQ]
‘Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?’
49 He then pointed toward [us] disciples and said, “These are ones [whom I love as much as I love] my mother and my brothers [MET].
Then, stretching out his hands towards his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers!
50 Those who do what [God] my Father [who is] in heaven wants, are [as dear to me] [MET] [as] my brother, my sister, or my mother.”
For anyone who does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’
