1.
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
time = season.
corn = cornfields.
2.
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
the Pharisees. See App-120 .
3.
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
Have ye not read. ? This question was asked by the Lord on six different occasions, and referred to seven different books of the O.T., and to ten distinct passages. See App-143 .
what David did. Reference to 1 Samuel 21:6 . App-117 .
4.
How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
into. Greek. eis. App-104 .
the house of God: i.e. the tabernacle.
the shew bread. See Exodus 25:30 . Leviticus 24:5-8 .
which was . . . but only, &c. See Leviticus 24:9 .
5.
Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
in the law. See note on Matthew 5:17 . Compare Numbers 28:9 , Numbers 28:10 and App-143 .
the sabbath. (Numbers 28:9 , Numbers 28:10 . Compare Nehemiah 13:17 . Ezekiel 24:21 . Joh 7:22 , John 7:23 .) There were more sacrifices on the sabbath than on any other day.
profane. Our Eng. word "profane" = far from the temple. The Greek word here = to trample down and thus treat as common. Compare Acts 24:6 .
blameless = guiltless, as in Matthew 12:7 . Greek. anaitios. Occurs only here and Matthew 12:7 .
6.
But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
in this place = here.
greater than the temple. Compare Matthew 12:41 , a greater prophet; and Matthew 12:42 , a greater king; who can be only God Himself.
7.
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
if, &c. Implying that it was not the fact. See App-118 . Not the same condition as in verses: Matthew 12:11 , Matthew 12:26 , Matthew 12:27 , Matthew 11:28 .
had known = were aware of. Gr . ginosko. .
meaneth = is.
I will = I desire. Greek. thelo. App-102 . Quoted from Hosea 6:6 .
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
guiltless. Greek. anaitios. See note on blameless, Matthew 12:5 .
8.
For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
the Son of man. See App-98 .
even. All the texts omit this word.
of the sabbath. As the Son of man. Compare Matthew 12:6 , Lord of the Temple as the Son of God.
9.
And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
their. Probably inhabitants of Tiberias. For, in Mark 3:6 , the Pharisees conferred with the Herodians, so that the Lord was in Herod's jurisdiction.
synagogue. See App-120 .
10.
And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
man. Greek. anthropos. App-123 .
on the sabbath days. This was the first of seven miracles wrought on the sabbath. See Mark 1:21-31 .Luke 13:11 ; 2 John 1:5; 2 John 1:5 :8 , John 5:9 ; John 9:14 .
that = in order that.
11.
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
And = But.
among = of. Greek. ek.
if . . . ? The condition is hypothetical.
12.
How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
How much? Figure of speech Erotesis, for emphasis. App-6 .
well: i.e. a good deed.
13.
Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
other. Greek. allos . App-124 .
14.
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
Then = But.
held a council. Occurs only in Matthew 22:15 ; Matthew 27:1 , Matthew 27:7 ; Matthew 28:12 .Mark 3:6 ; Mark 15:1 .
15.
But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
from thence = thence, as in Matthew 12:9 .
16.
And charged them that they should not make him known:
known = publicly known. Greek. phaneros. Compare App-106 .
17.
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
That = To the end that.
spoken. As well as written.
by = by means of. Greek. dia.
Esaias = Isaiah ( App-79 ). Quoted from Isaiah 42:1-4 . See App-107 . From the Hebrew direct; but the last clause differs, because the Holy Spirit is recording the act of fulfillment, and varying it by way of Divine comment.
18.
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
Behold, &c. Quoted from Isaiah 41:8 ; Isaiah 42:1 . See App-107 .
Servant. Greek. pais. See App-108 .
Chosen. Greek. hairetizo. Occurs only here.
in. Greek. eis ( App-104 .); but L A WH omit. Tr. reads en ( App-104 .)
My soul = I (emph.) Hebrew. nephesh. App-9 . Greek. psuche. App-110 .
is well pleased = hath found delight.
spirit. See App-101 .
upon. Greek. epi . App-104 .
shew = declare.
Gentiles = nations.
19.
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
strive = contend. Greek. erizo. Occurs only here.
Cry = make outcry or clamour.
20.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
O smoking. Greek. tuphoomai. Occurs only here. 1 Timothy 3:6 ; 1 Timothy 6:4 . 2 Timothy 3:4 .
send forth = bring forth (what was before hidden), as in Matthew 12:35 with Matthew 13:52 . Compare Deuteronomy 32:34 .
21.
And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
in. All texts omit this, and read "on".
His name. A Hebraism. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
trust = hope. Compare Isaiah 41:8 ; Isaiah 42:1 . One of eighteen passages where "trust" should be thus rendered.
22.
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
one possessed with a devil = a demoniac. Greek. daimonizomai.
insomuch that = so that.
23.
And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
people = multitude.
Is not This . . . ? The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version reads "Is This? " = May not This be? Since 1638 it reads "Is not This".
the son of David. The third of nine occurrences of this Messianic title in Matthew. See App-98 .
24.
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
Pharisees. See App-120 .
This fellow = this [man]. Not emphatic.
devils = demons.
but = except.
by = in [the power of]. Greek. en .
Beelzebub. See note on Matthew 10:25 .
25.
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
Jesus = He. All texts omit "Jesus" here.
shall = will.
26.
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27.
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
children = sons: i.e. disciples. The Pharisees believed in and practiced exorcism. See Josephus ( Antiquities viii. 2-5), and compare Acts 19:13 .
therefore = on account of this. Greek. dia touto. App-104 .
28.
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
the Spirit . There is no Art. Greek. pneuma. ( App-101 .) = by God's pneuma, put for Divine power. In Luke 11:20 God's "finger" put for the power exercised by it by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause). So in Exodus 8:19 .
then = it follows that.
the kingdom of God. The second of five occurrences in Matthew. See note on Matthew 6:33 and App-114 .
29.
Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
strong man's = the strong [one's].
spoil = plunder.
30.
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
31.
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Wherefore = On this account. Greek. dia touto, same as "therefore", Matthew 12:27 .
blasphemy = impious or evil speaking.
against the Holy Ghost = [concerning] the Spirit. Greek. pneuma with Art. See App-101 .
32.
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
the Holy Ghost = the Spirit, the Holy [Spirit], emph. App-101 .
world = age, age-time, or dispensation. Greek. aion. App-129 . It must refer to one age-time in contradistinction to another, called "the coming age". Compare Hebrews 1:2 and see note on Hebrews 11:3 .
the world to come = [the age] about to be. App-129 .
33.
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
his = its.
is known = getteth known. Greek. ginosko. App-132 .
by = from. Greek. ek.
34.
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
generation = offspring or brood. Compare Matthew 3:7 ; Matthew 23:33 .
evil. See App-128 .
out of. Greek. ek .
abundance: or overflow.
35.
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
A = The.
treasure = treasury.
the heart. All the texts omit "the heart".
an = the.
36.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
idle = careless or useless. Compare Matthew 20:3 . 1 Timothy 5:13 .Titus 1:12 .
word = saying. Not the same as in Matthew 12:37 .
that = which.
give account thereof = suffer its consequences. A Hebraism.
thereof = concerning ( App-104 .) it.
37.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
words. Greek plural of logos. Not the same as in Matthew 12:36 . See note on Mark 9:32 . "Words" are reckoned as "deeds" (2 Corinthians 5:10 ). See App-121 .
38.
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
Master = Teacher. See App-98 . Matthew 12:1 .
would = desire. Greek. thelo. App-102 .
see = to see. Greek. eidon.
a sign. The first of six "signs" asked for. Compare Matthew 16:1 ; Matthew 24:3 .Luke 11:16 . John 2:18 ; John 6:30 .
from. Greek. apo.
39.
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
adulterous. Spiritually. See Jeremiah 3:9 . Ezekiel 23:37 , &c
generation. Greek. genea. Not the same as in Matthew 12:34 . See note on Matthew 11:16 .
seeketh: or, is for ever seeking.
Jonas = Jonah. See App-117 .
40.
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
as = just as. The Lord was dead, therefore Jonah must have been. Nothing is said about his being "preserved alive". That "sign" would have had no relation to what is here signified. See notes on Jonah.
three nights. Apart from these words, "three days" might mean any portion of a day. But "three nights" forbids this interpretation. See App-144 and App-156 . Quoted from Jonah 1:17 .
the whale's. Greek. ketos. Occ only here. There is nothing about "a whale" either in the Hebrew of Jonah (Matthew 1:17 ) or in the Greek here. The "great fish" was specially "prepared" by its Creator. See Jonah 1:17 .
the heart of the earth = in the earth: i.e. the sepulchre, or tomb, Matthew 27:60 . Mark 15:46 . Luke 23:53 . Joh 19:40 . Acts 13:29 . It is the Figure of speech Pleonasm (a Hebraism), App-6 , = the midst, or "in". See Exodus 15:8 . Psalms 46:2 . 2 Samuel 18:14 .Deuteronomy 4:11 . In any case it is not "the centre", any more than the heart is in the centre of the body, instead of near the top. We are to conclude that the Lord establishes "the literal validity of the history of Jonah", inasmuch as He spoke "not His own words but only words of the Father" (see John 7:16 ; John 8:28 , John 8:46 , John 8:47 ; John 12:49 ; John 14:10 , John 14:24 ; John 17:8 ); so that the assertions of modern critics are perilously near blasphemy against God Himself
earth. Greek. ge. App-129 .
41.
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
men. Greek No Art., plural of aner. App-123 .
rise = stand up. Not the same word as in Matthew 12:42 .
judgment = the judgment, as in Matthew 12:42 . Compare Psalms 1:5 .
repented. The last reference to repentance in Matthew. See App-111 .
preaching = proclamation. Compare App-121 .
greater. See note on Matthew 12:6 .
42.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
The queen = A queen.
rise up. In resurrection. Not the same word as "rise" in Matthew 12:41 .
she came. See 1 Kings 10:1 , &c.
from = Out of
43.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
When = But when. Introducing the allegory.
the = an. The Art. being inclusive and hypothetic as "a man", which also has the Art. and is rendered "a".
spirit. Greek. pneuma. See App-101 .
is gone out. If of its own accord, it have gone out, it returns (Matthew 12:44 ). But not when it is "bound" and cast out, as in Matthew 12:29 .
out of = away from (Greek. apo. App-104 .) temporarily, as at the proclamation of John.
a = the.
he = it.
walketh. = roameth. Compare Acts 8:4 .
dry = waterless: i.e. where no human beings. are.
findeth none = findeth [it] not; has no respite. Greek. ou, as in Matthew 12:2 .
44.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
from whence = whence.
garnished = decorated.
45.
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
himself = itself.
more wicked. Showing that there are degrees of wickedness among spirits and demons. See Matthew 17:21 .Acts 16:16 , Acts 16:17 , &c.
the last state. See Daniel 9:27 ; Daniel 11:21 , Daniel 11:23 , &c. Revelation 13 ; and compare John 5:43 .
is = becometh.
also . . . generation = generation also.
this = this [present].
wicked. Greek. poneros. App-128 .
wicked generation. See notes on Matthew 11:16 ; Matthew 23:25 ; Matthew 24:34 .Mark 13:30 . Luke 21:32 .Acts 2:40 .
46.
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
talked = was talking.
people = multitudes.
stood = were standing.
desiring to speak = seeking to speak. Their avowed purpose. But in Mark 3:21 , Mark 3:31 their real purpose was to "lay hold on Him", and the reason is given: "for they said ' He is beside Himself '". This accounts for the Lord's answer.
47.
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
stand without = are standing without. The reason for not going in is obvious.
48.
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
49.
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
stretched forth His hand toward = He pointed to.
50.
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
whosoever. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 , denned by obedience, and made an hypothesis by the particle " an ".
do = have done.
heaven = [the] heavens. Plural, because there is no contrast with the "earth". See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
the same = he.