Matthew 12: The Sabbath, a quotation from Isaiah, and the sign of Jonah
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Greek. How to read a study
What happens?
The disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, and Jesus answers the Pharisees with David, the priests and mercy. He heals a man's withered hand, and the Pharisees plan to destroy him. Matthew quotes words from Isaiah, Jesus heals a blind and mute man, and the Pharisees say he casts out demons by Beelzebul. Jesus answers them, speaks about words, the sign of Jonah and the unclean spirit that returns, and says who his mother and brothers are.
Who is speaking?
No verse is in gold. The narrator speaks in verses 1, 9, 14 to 17, 22 and 46. The Pharisees speak in verses 2 and 24, and some of the scribes and Pharisees in verse 38. In verse 10 "they" ask Jesus a question. The crowds speak in verse 23, and someone speaks to Jesus in verse 47. Verses 18 to 21 are words that Matthew says were spoken through Isaiah the prophet. Jesus speaks in verses 3 to 8, 11 to 13, 25 to 37, 39 to 45 and 48 to 50. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.
In plain English: At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and eat.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
In plain English: When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him: Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath.
Good to know: says: "When you come into your neighbor's standing grain, then you may pluck the ears with your hand". The Pharisees' charge here is about the Sabbath, and the verse does not name the law they mean.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
3But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:
In plain English: He said to them: Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those with him:
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
4how he entered into God’s house and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?
In plain English: how he went into the house of God and ate the loaves of the presentation (this Bible: the show bread). It was not lawful for him to eat them, or for those with him, but only for the priests.
Good to know: "The show bread" is artous tes protheseos, word for word "the loaves of the presentation". David's story is told in to , where verse 6 calls it "holy bread" and "the show bread that was taken from before Yahweh".
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
5Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?
In plain English: Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?
Good to know: and give the burnt offerings for every Sabbath. The verse says "in the law" and does not give the place. "Profane" is bebeloo, which the dictionary gives as "to desecrate".
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
6But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.
In plain English: I tell you that something greater (or: someone greater) than the temple is here.
The Greek word: "One greater" is meizon. Its form is the one used for things, so it can mean "something greater" as well as "someone greater". The word in and is pleion, "more" or "greater", with the same kind of form.
What changes: Read as "something greater than the temple", the saying sets a thing above the temple. Read as "someone greater", it sets a person above it. The verse does not say which and does not name what or who is meant.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
7But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.
In plain English: If you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
Good to know: Jesus does not say where "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice" comes from. The words are in , where this Bible has "For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings". He says the same words in . "Mercy" is eleos.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
In plain English: For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
9He departed from there and went into their synagogue.
In plain English: He left that place and went into their synagogue.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
10And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” so that they might accuse him.
In plain English: And look, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him: Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? They asked so that they might accuse him.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
11He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it and lift it out?
In plain English: He said to them: Which of you, if he has one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
12Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.”
In plain English: How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
13Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other.
In plain English: Then he said to the man: Stretch out your hand. He stretched it out, and it was made whole, as sound as the other.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
14But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how they might destroy him.
In plain English: But the Pharisees went out and held a council against him (or: conspired against him), to find a way to destroy him.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
15Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all,
In plain English: Jesus knew it and withdrew from there. Great crowds followed him, and he healed them all,
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
16and commanded them that they should not make him known,
In plain English: and warned them not to make him known,
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
In plain English: so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying:
Good to know: Matthew says these words were spoken through Isaiah the prophet. They are close to to , with some wording that differs. The notes on the next verses give the differences.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
18“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations.
In plain English: Look, my servant (or: my child) whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
The Greek word: "Servant" is pais, which can mean a child or a servant. In Matthew it is in 8 verses, and this Bible prints "servant" in 5, "child" in 2 and "boy" in 1.
What changes: Read as "servant", the one chosen is a servant. Read as "child", he is the chosen child. The verse does not say more.
Good to know: in this Bible reads: "my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations." Matthew's verse has "whom I have chosen, my beloved", "I will put my Spirit on him" and "He will proclaim justice to the nations". "Beloved" is agapetos and "well pleased" is a form of eudokeo. Both words are in only three verses of Matthew, the same three: , where a voice out of the heavens says them, here, and , where a voice comes out of a cloud.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
19He will not strive, nor shout, neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
In plain English: He will not quarrel or cry out, and no one will hear his voice in the streets.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
20He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory.
In plain English: He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not put out a smoldering flax (or: wick), until he leads justice to victory.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
21In his name, the nations will hope.”
In plain English: And in his name the nations will hope.
The Greek word: "The nations" is ethne, the same Greek word that this Bible prints as "Gentiles" in and as "nations" in . In Matthew it is in 14 verses, and this Bible prints "nation" in 10 and "Gentile" in 4.
Good to know: says "the islands wait for his law", where Matthew has "In his name, the nations will hope". The text says no more.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
22Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him; and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.
In plain English: Then a man possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him. He healed him, so that the blind and mute man spoke and saw.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
23All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?”
In plain English: All the crowds were amazed and said: Can this be the son of David (or: Surely this is not the son of David)?
The Greek word: "Can this be" is meti, which the dictionary gives as "whether at all". It begins a question that doubts. In Matthew it is in 4 verses: , here, and .
What changes: Read as "Can this be the son of David?", the crowds wonder. Read as "Surely this is not the son of David?", they doubt. The verse does not say which. "Son of David" is a title that Matthew also uses in .
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.”
In plain English: When the Pharisees heard it, they said: This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
25Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
In plain English: Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself is made desolate, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
In plain English: If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
27If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
In plain English: If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons (this Bible: children) cast them out? So they will be your judges.
Good to know: "Your children" is huioi, the Greek word for "sons", which the dictionary says is used widely of kinship. The verse does not say who they are.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
28But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you.
In plain English: But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
The Greek words: "God's Kingdom" is basileia tou theou, "the kingdom of God". Matthew mostly writes "the kingdom of the heavens", which this Bible prints as "Kingdom of Heaven" (31 verses, against 5 for "Kingdom of God"; see ). "Has come" is ephthasen, which the dictionary gives as "to have arrived at". In and the word is "is at hand", engiken.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
29Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.
In plain English: Or how can anyone enter the house of the strong man and rob his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then he will rob his house.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
30“He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters.
In plain English: Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
In plain English: So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Good to know: The saying about blasphemy against the Spirit is also in and . "Blasphemy" is blasphemia, which the dictionary gives as "vilification (especially against God)". The verse says every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven except blasphemy against the Spirit. It does not say more about what that is.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in that which is to come.
In plain English: Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age (or: world) or in the one to come.
The Greek word: "Age" is aion. The dictionary gives "an age", and also "the world" and "a Messianic period (present or future)". In Matthew it is in 9 verses, and this Bible prints "age" in 6 and "world" in 1.
What changes: Read as "age", the verse speaks of this age and the one to come. Read as "world", it speaks of this world and the one to come. Either way it says the word against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in either.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
33“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.
In plain English: Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad (or: rotten) and its fruit bad. The tree is known by its fruit.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
34You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
In plain English: You offspring of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are evil? The mouth speaks out of what overflows from the heart.
Good to know: "Offspring of vipers" is gennemata echidnon. In the dictionary a viper is an adder or other poisonous snake. The words are in 3 verses of Matthew: , here and .
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
35The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things.
In plain English: The good person brings out good things from his good treasure, and the evil person brings out evil things from his evil treasure.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
36I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
In plain English: I tell you that for every idle (or: careless, useless) word people speak, they will give an account on the day of judgment.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
In plain English: By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
38Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
In plain English: Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered: Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
39But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.
In plain English: He answered them: An evil and adulterous generation (or: the people of this time) looks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
The Greek word: "Adulterous" is moichalis, "an adulteress (literally or figuratively)" in the dictionary. It is in 2 verses of Matthew, here and , both times about a generation that seeks a sign. For "generation" see the note at .
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
In plain English: Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish. In the same way the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The Greek word: "Huge fish" is ketos, "a huge fish" in the dictionary. says Yahweh prepared a huge fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Good to know: The verse does not say what "the heart of the earth" is, or how the three days and three nights are counted.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
41The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here.
In plain English: The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And look, something greater (or: someone greater) than Jonah is here.
Good to know: The people of Nineveh are in , where they "believed God" and proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth. "Greater" is pleion, with the same two readings as in : "something greater" or "someone greater".
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
42The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.
In plain English: The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon's wisdom. And look, something greater (or: someone greater) than Solomon is here.
Good to know: The verse does not name the Queen of the South. A queen who came to test Solomon with hard questions is told of in , where she is called "the queen of Sheba". "South" is notos.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
43“When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest, and doesn’t find it.
In plain English: When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it passes through waterless places looking for rest, and does not find it.
Good to know: The Greek has no word for "he" in verses 43 to 45: the verbs say only "passes", "says", "finds" and "goes". "Spirit" is a word for things in Greek, so "it" fits as well as "he". This Bible writes "he", and the plain lines here write "it".
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
44Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came;’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.
In plain English: Then it says: I will go back to my house, the one I came out of. When it comes, it finds the house empty (or: unoccupied), swept and put in order.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
45Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.”
In plain English: Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. It will be the same with this evil generation.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
46While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
In plain English: While he was still speaking to the crowds, look, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, looking to speak to him.
The Greek word: "Brothers" is adelphoi, the ordinary word for brothers. In Jesus uses the same word of anyone who does his Father's will. names James, Joses, Simon and Judas as his brothers. tells of his mother and brothers coming and standing outside.
Church tradition: Readers differ on who these brothers are: children of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus, children of Joseph from before, or other relatives. says Joseph "didn't know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son". This verse says only "his mother and his brothers".
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
47One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.”
In plain English: Someone said to him: Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, looking to speak to you.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
48But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”
In plain English: He answered the one who spoke to him: Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
49He stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers!
In plain English: He stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said: Look, my mother and my brothers!
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
50For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
In plain English: For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, that person is my brother and sister and mother.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.