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Matthew Chapter Twelve

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The King is Lord of the Sabbath

I. He is the reality of the Sabbath:

A. Men were filled by Him (v.1-8).

B. He healed the sick man (v.9-21).

C. He cast out unclean spirits (v.22).

II. The Lord’s authority on the Sabbath (v.23-37).

III. The Lord’s identity on the Sabbath:

     A. He is greater than Jonah (v.38-41).

     B. He is greater than Solomon (v.42-45).

IV. Men’s relationship with lord of the Sabbath (v.46-50).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Matt. 12:1 “At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.

   YLT: “At that time did Jesus go on the sabbaths through the corn, and his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears, and to eat,”

   The Background: “Sabbath” is the seventh day in a week. It is the present Saturday. It is from the sunset on Friday to the sunset the next day. God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it (Gen. 2:3). The Israel is not allowed to do any work in order to remember that God has finished all the work (Exod. 20:8-11).

  According to the Law of Moses, they may plunk ears with their hands and eat (Deut. 23:25). However, it is not expressly stipulated in writing that whether it is permitted to do it on the Sabbath. A statement was said that the Pharisees opposed that the disciples of the Lord should not rub the ears in their hands instead of plunking the ears because rubbing the ears is accounted as doing work which profanes the regulations of the Sabbath.

   Literal Meaning: “at that time” is the time when the Lord called men to come and find rest (Matt. 11:28).

   Spiritual Meaning: At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.” Normally, men should have rest on the Sabbath. However, the disciples were “hungry” on the Sabbath, showing that they do not have rest on the Sabbath. This is a picture, showing that men under religious regulations do not have true rest. The Lord Jesus led His disciples to go through the grainfields on the Sabbath and allowed them to “plunk ears with hands and to eat”, with the purpose of guiding the religious believers to know and turn to Him------the reality of the type in the Old Testament (Col. 2:16-17).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Men are not filled and therefore they do not have rest. If men want to have rest, they have to enjoy Christ as their bread of life (John. 6:35).

2) “Grain” is the type of Christ. After Christ had gone through tribulations and sufferings for us, He becomes our enjoyment.

3) Only the hungry will be filled with the good things (Luke. 1:53). Only when we have spiritual hunger can we be filled by the Lord.

4) Christ is the first grain of wheat and we who have received grace are the much fruit (John. 12:24), therefore the assembly is “the grainfields”. If the assembly only pays attention to regulations and ceremonies, probably everyone will suffer hunger. Christ is the most important in the assembly. We should follow the Lord however He guides.

 

Matt. 12:2 “And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!’”

   YLT: “and the Pharisees having seen, said to him, `Lo, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to do on a sabbath.’”

   The Background: The Pharisees stressed on keeping the Sabbath so strictly that they even found fault with others. They added many unnecessary and overelaborate formalities which were not in the Law of Moses to the Sabbath and forced others to keep.

   Spiritual Meaning: “the Pharisees” symbolizes the religious believers who keep the regulations in the Bible. They stressed on the regulations that do not handle, do not taste and do not touch (Col. 2:21) but neglected the real purpose of God for giving them these regulations.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) To the hungry disciples, the regulation “don’t do any work on the Sabbath” is a burden. Even if they keep the form of the Sabbath, the reality of the Sabbath is lost.

2) The Pharisees only emphasize on whether men keep the regulations on the Sabbath and neglect whether men have rest on the Sabbath. Today Christians who pay attention to the appearance are still more than those who stress on the inner reality.

3) The Pharisees queried the Lord Jesus for regulations------the moment men are in the state of stressing on the appearance, they will stand on the position that is against the Lord.

 

Matt. 12:3 “But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him:

   YLT: “And he said to them, `Did ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, himself and those with him”

   Spiritual Meaning: “David” is the type of Christ. “Those who were with him” are the type of the disciples.

  “David” was the key person from the age of priests to the age of kings in the history of the Old Testament. By this the Lord shows that He is the “true David”. He the true David has come and the age will change.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When reading the Bible, we should pay attention to the epochal character of the things illustrated in the Bible. For example, believers in the New Testament do not need to keep the law of sacrifice and the costume of the priests (many ways in the Roman Catholic Church are to bring the Old Testament into the New Testament).

2) In the beginning of the New Testament, spiritual gifts such as “tongue-speaking” and “divine healing” are in vogue. However in the last phase of the age of the Apostles, these were rarely recorded. It shows that these spiritual gifts had the dispensational need. If believers in last time return to seek these Charismatic gifts, we overlook the epochal character of spiritual things. (Editorial Note: this doesn’t mean that there are no spiritual gifts today. It means that we do not need to seek for Charismatic gifts urgently because spiritual gifts are divided to each in particular according as the Holy Spirit pleases. 1Cor. 12:11)

 

Matt. 12:4 “how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?

   YLT: “how he went into the house of God, and the loaves of the presentation did eat, which it is not lawful to him to eat, nor to those with him, except to the priests alone?”

   The Background: according to the regulations of the Law of Moses, only the priests could eat “the showbread” in the temple of God (Exod. 29:32-33). When David fled from the smiting of Saul, he and his followers ate the showbread (1Sam. 21:1-6).

   Spiritual Meaning: David and his followers ate the showbread and they had not been condemned by God because David had changed the age from the age of priests to the age of kings.

  This verse shows that the Lord “the true David” had come and the age was changed from the age of the law of the Old Testament to the age of the grace of the New Testament. In the New Testament men do not keep the Sabbath.

  “The showbread” is the type of Christ as our enjoyment of life.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The regulations and ceremonies in the Old Testament have the character of the transition of ages. They are a shadow of things to come, but the body of Christ (Col. 2:17). Believers in the New Testament do not need to obey the regulations and ceremonies since we have already obtained Christ.

2) On the premise that we do not commit sins or offend against morality, believers should have expedient measures if they are needed in following or serving the Lord.

3) What’s important in the conducts of believers is never leaving the Lord all the time (following the Lord). As long as we walk with the Lord in His presence, nothing could bind us.

4) The true Sabbath is not obeying the dead regulations but living under the full provision of Christ------if we are filled full, we will naturally have rest.

 

Matt. 12:5 “Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?

   YLT: “`Or did ye not read in the Law, that on the sabbaths the priests in the temple do profane the sabbath, and are blameless?”

   Literal Meaning: priest should sacrifice on the Sabbath (Num. 28:9-10). Though sacrificing is also doing the work, it is done in the temple and therefore even if the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, they are blameless. It shows that “the temple” is greater than “the Sabbath”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Priests work in the temple on the Sabbath and they are blameless. Today we are all priests and serving the Lord in the assembly. We are contrarily full of rest.

2) Priests are allowed to profane the regulations in the temple for the need of service, showing that we have some special rights in serving the Lord.

3) The Lord Jesus, the priest became higher than the heavens (Heb. 7:26). Whatever He does is acceptable to God. As long as we do everything in Him, the things we do will be acceptable to God.

4) Temple is to glorify God and sacrificing is for God’s righteousness. As long as we are in accordance with the principle of the glory and righteousness of God, everyday is the Sabbath to us and we could have rest.

5) The Sabbath is set to give men rest. If the priests do not sacrifice to God, the problem of sins will not be solved and there will not be rest. Therefore sacrificing is more important than the Sabbath. Inner reality is more important than regulations.

6) The reason why men do not have rest is that God does not have rest. Wherever there are sins, there won’t be rest there.

7) What God vales is the real rest. The spiritual appearance without spiritual reality does not accord with the will of God.

 

Matt. 12:6 “Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple.

   YLT: “and I say to you, that a greater than the temple is here;”

   Meaning of Words: “greater”: greater in volume and size.

   Spiritual Meaning: “the temple” typifies the abundance of Christ and His infinite provision.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christ is the greater temple. When we are in Christ, we have been delivered from the binding of the law because we are justified by faith in Christ not by works of the law (Gal. 2:16).

2) The Lord is the greater temple. The Lord Himself is filled with glory of God and everything He does is for God’s glory. Any work believers do in Him is to glorify God. 

3) Anyone who abides in the Lord will be filled at all times from Him.

 

Matt. 12:7 “But if you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.

   YLT: “and if ye had known what is: Kindness I will, and not sacrifice ye had not condemned the blameless,”

   Literal Meaning: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” “Mercy” means that God gives to men. “Sacrifice” means that men give to God (Hos. 6:6). Therefore it means that God loves to give to men and do for men and He does not like provisions and services that are of men (the true service is initiated by God).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord does not want to “gain” but to “give”. He does not want to “keep the bread” but to “break the bread”.

2) Men are so easy to stick to letters and articles but lose the spiritual reality.

3) The righteous God is “merciful”. He likes us to treat others just as the way He treats us.

4) We should show “mercy” to others’ pain and need. We should not neglect others’ needs in excuse of reasons.

 

Matt. 12:8 “For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.’”

   YLT: “for the son of man is lord even of the sabbath.’”

   Literal Meaning: the Lord Jesus is “lord even of the Sabbath”, indicating that He has the right to manage the Sabbath and He is the one who gives men rest. He loves to give men rest and He does not like men to be restrained by the regulations of the Sabbath.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Since the Lord is “lord even of the Sabbath”, the standard is His words. Whether something is permitted to do or not on the Sabbath depends on Him.

2) Those that work for the lord of the Sabbath is not under the law of the Sabbath.

3) Christ is lord even of the Sabbath. When we have Him, we have true rest. Everyday is the Sabbath, as it were. And therefore we do not need to keep the regulations of the Sabbath.

4) Today the problem is whether men receive the Lord instead of whether the day is the Sabbath.

 

Matt. 12:9 “Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue.

   YLT: “And having departed thence, he went to their synagogue,”

   Spiritual Meaning: “synagogue” symbolizes all the religions represented by Judaism.

 

Matt. 12:10 “And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"--that they might accuse Him.

   YLT: “and lo, there was a man having the hand withered, and they questioned him, saying, `Is it lawful to heal on the sabbaths?` that they might accuse him.”

   The Background: rabbis of Judaism forbade men to “heal on the Sabbath” because they held that healing went against the regulation that men should not do any work on the Sabbath.

   Spiritual Meaning: “a man who had a withered hand.” “Hand” stands for service. “Withered” shows it lacks the vigor of life. It is like a picture, showing that though men in religion want to do something for God, they could do nothing for God actually.

  “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Sabbath was originally for men to have rest. However, here men were sick on the Sabbath and it was not lawful to be healed, indicating that men in religion only have the appearance of the Sabbath instead of the reality of the Sabbath.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If our service (hand) is done according to ways and doctrines rather than the guidance and movements of the Holy Spirit, it is the “withered” service.

2) If the assembly lacks provision of life, it lacks the power of service. If the assembly in which you are lacks members of service (“a withered hand”), it shows that something is wrong in the provision of life. Therefore we should improve this problem from its root by more positive provisions. 

 

Matt. 12:11 “Then He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?

   YLT: “And he said to them, `What man shall be of you, who shall have one sheep, and if this may fall on the sabbaths into a ditch, will not lay hold on it and raise [it]?”

   Spiritual Meaning: “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath,” “Sheep” symbolizes men who are of the Lord. “Pit” symbolizes the trouble caused by the misuses of the law by religious believers (See Matt. 15:14). The Law was originally to bring us unto Christ (Gal. 3:24). Unexpectedly, religious believers fall into “pit” of the law and are restrained by the regulations of the law.

 

Matt. 12:12 “Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.’”

   YLT: “How much better, therefore, is a man than a sheep? so that it is lawful on the sabbaths to do good.’”

   Literal Meaning: When a sheep fall into the pit on the Sabbath, though its life is not in danger, men cannot bear to sit by idly and remain indifferent, much less the more precious men. Aren’t men more worthy to be saved on the Sabbath?

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Sabbath is made on account of man, not man on account of the Sabbath. The Lord values men above all.

2) If we work for Christ, we “do good” and therefore we do not need to keep the regulations of the Sabbath.

 

Matt. 12:13 “Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.

   YLT: “Then saith he to the man, `Stretch forth thy hand,’ and he stretched [it] forth, and it was restored whole as the other.”

   Meaning of Words: “restored” is made up of two words in original: recover (return to the original condition, and reconstitute) (the first word) and healthy (sound and well-healed) (the second word).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The words which the Lord has spoken unto us are spirit and are life (John. 6:63). If we receive the Lord’s words, trust and obey His words, we will obtain the healing of life.

2) Nothing shall be impossible with God (Luke. 1:37). When the Lord gives the word, He will assuredly give power to men to obey His words.

3) The man with a withered hand was not willing to stretch his hand out before men------men do not like to show their shortcomings to others------however the moment the Lord’s words was manifested (“stretch out your hand”), his hand was restored.

4) “It was restored” shows that the Lord’s healing is perfect. The Lord works in us and enables us to be restored and in accordance with the will of God.

 

Matt. 12:14 “Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.

   YLT: “And the Pharisees having gone forth, held a consultation against him, how they might destroy him,”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Pharisees wanted to kill the holy one of God indeed in order to maintain the regulations of the law. Many Christians who are fervent in doctrines always do not hesitate to get into a fight in order to maintain the doctrines.

2) Religious believers are only fervent in the words and letters of the law and neglect the truth and reality of the law, so that they even think to render service to God to kill others (John. 16:2).

 

Matt. 12:15 “But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.

   YLT: “and Jesus having known, withdrew thence, and there followed him great multitudes, and he healed them all,”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Anyone who only seeks the appearance instead of the reality cannot obtain the Lord’s presence (“He withdrew from there”). Anyone who seeks the Lord and follows the Lord will receive the Lord’s providence and healing.

2) What the Lord minds is that men’s disease need to be healed. The Lord does not care whether men walk according to regulations.

 

Matt. 12:16 “Yet He warned them not to make Him known,

   YLT: “and did charge them that they might not make him manifest,”

   Literal Meaning: For He knew what is in men (John. 2:23-25). Anyone who comes to the Lord for fame and curiosity is not reliable.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The world seeks after fame and position, however the Lord’s workers should not care glory or dishonor. It is as unknown and well known (2Cor. 6:8-9).

2) Anyone who comes because of respect for the fame may not be reliable. Most of those who rush to hear the preaching of some famous preachers like a swarm of bees are out of curiosity instead of the true longing for the preaching.

3) If the assembly is built up in the fame of preachers, once the preachers depart or pass away, the assembly will become desolate immediately.

 

Matt. 12:17 “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

   YLT: “that it might be fulfilled that was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,”

   Literal Meaning: the words below from v.18 to v.21 are quoted from Is. 42:1 to Is. 42:4. Isaiah’s prophecies here were said about the Lord Jesus (See Acts. 8:30-35). The Lord Jesus is the fulfillment and reality of this section of prophecies.

 

Matt. 12:18Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.

   YLT: “`Lo, My servant, whom I did choose, My beloved, in whom My soul did delight, I will put My Spirit upon him, and judgment to the nations he shall declare,”

   Literal Meaning: “Behold” means that it needs to be paid special attention to. “Have chosen” means the aspect of God’s will. “Beloved” means His place before God. “Is well pleased” means the aspect of God’s feeling.

   Spiritual Meaning: this verse predicts that the Lord Jesus is God’s beloved Son, in whom God has found His delight (Matt. 3:17). He was born of Spirit and full of Spirit (Matt. 3:16). He was sent as God’s servant to guide those who did not know God originally into the truth by the Holy Spirit (John. 16:13).

  “He will declare justice to the Gentiles.” It typifies that God’s righteousness will be known and understood by the Gentiles through the glad tidings of Christ.

 

Matt. 12:19 “He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.

   YLT: “he shall not strive nor cry, nor shall any hear in the broad places his voice,”

   Spiritual Meaning: this verse predicts the meekness of the Lord Jesus------He never cries out to draw others’ attention and quarrels in arguments.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Believers should walk in wisdom towards those without and let their word always with grace, seasoned with salt (Col. 4:5-6).

2) Believers should not have disputes of words because it is profitable for nothing, but to the subversion of the hearers (2Tim. 2:14).

 

Matt. 12:20 “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory;

   YLT: “a bruised reed he shall not break, and smoking flax he shall not quench, till he may put forth judgment to victory,”

   Meaning of Words: “flax”: the firebrand made by flax.

   The Background: the Jews usually use reeds to make flutes and when the reed is bruised and unable to pipe, they will break it and throw it away. They also use flax to make firebrands. They pour oil on it, stir it up and it shines. They use it to illuminate in walking and when the oil is burnt up, the flax will be smoking and won’t shine any more. Then men directly quench it.

   Literal Meaning: “A bruised reed” is unable to ripe; “The smoking flax” is unable to shine.

   Spiritual Meaning: “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench.” typifies that He never treats those who are weak and bruised with the scornful or disdainful attitude.

  “Till He sends forth justice to victory” typifies that the Lord Jesus bears the mission to guide men into the truth. He persists in this and never stops short of the goal. Ultimately He will overcome.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord Jesus always mends broken lives (See v.15).

2) Though we are not useful in His hands, He is merciful and never forsakes us.

3) In the assembly, many Saints are “the bruised reed”s and “the smoking flax”s. We should let this mind be in us which also in Christ Jesus (Pill. 2:5) and should not destroy them. We should cherish them.

4) The “smoking” Christians who lack the Holy Spirit cannot help others to see, on the contrary, they make others not to see. To those believers who are easy to cause trouble, we should forgive them in love and we should not spurn them.

 

Matt. 12:21 “And in His name Gentiles will trust.’”

   YLT: “and in his name shall nations hope.’”

   Literal Meaning: “Gentiles” were mentioned twice in this section of prophecies (See v.18), showing that He will turn to countries and seek those who truly receive the Lord because God’s people rejected the Lord Jesus.  

 

Matt. 12:22 “Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.

   YLT: “Then was brought to him a demoniac, blind and dumb, and he healed him, so that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.”

   Spiritual Meaning: “then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute.” He represents all those who are under the power of darkness and couldn’t see God and things of God (blind) or speak for God (mute).

  “He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.” The salvation of the Lord Jesus enables us to turn from darkness to light (Acts. 26:18) and to depart from the dumb idols (1Cor. 12:2).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord opens the eyes of our hearts and enables us to know God and things of God. He also opens our mute mouths to pray to God and praise God.

2) Christ had dealt with the adversary the devil with His overcoming power and brings human beings into true rest. Anyone that does not let Christ reign absolutely ------no matter the individual or body------could not have rest. Anyone who magnify Christ as the lead and obey Him completely will find true rest.

 

Matt. 12:23 “And all the multitudes were amazed and said, Could this be the Son of David?’”

   YLT: “And all the multitudes were amazed, and said, `Is this the Son of David?’”

   Literal Meaning: it means “not this is the Son of David” (in original). This word contains their homage towards the Lord.

Matt. 12:24 “Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’”

   YLT: “but the Pharisees having heard, said, `This one doth not cast out demons, except by Beelzeboul, ruler of the demons.`”

   Literal Meaning: the Pharisees refused to confess that the Lord Jesus is from God (John. 9:16). However, they could not deny the fact that He cast out demons. Therefore they slandered Him and said that He cast out demons by the ruler of the demons.

  “Beelzebub” is the Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron (2Kings. 1:2). The Jews changed its voice to call “Beelzebub” and it means “the king of dunghill”. It also means “the king of house” because the devil possesses men, treats men as houses and occupies men’s body to be the king of house.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Jealousy makes man lose rationality and prejudice makes man lose light.

2) Since men abused and blasphemed our Lord, we should not hope others to treat us good. When we are misunderstood, persecuted and despised by others, we should remember how men treat our Lord.

 

Matt. 12:25 “But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

   YLT: “And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said to them, `Every kingdom having been divided against itself is desolated, and no city or house having been divided against itself, doth stand,”

   Literal Meaning: “Jesus knew their thoughts” It shows that the Lord discerns and knows the true meaning of men’s thoughts in their hearts.

  “Kingdom, city and house” are spheres adhering to different authority. They exist because some authority holds them together. Once the authority does not work, they will naturally disintegrate.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The testimony of the assembly depends on the tolerance in love among believers and the uniting bound of peace.

2) If there is segregation in some assembly, there won’t be any edification in that assembly.

 

Matt. 12:26 “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

   YLT: “and if the Adversary doth cast out the Adversary, against himself he was divided, how then doth his kingdom stand?”

   Meaning of Words: “Satan”: the adversary.

   Literal Meaning: Satan is God’s adversary and it has its own kingdom------its kingdom is this world and it is the prince of this kingdom (John. 12:31). It never puts up with any provocation.

 

Matt. 12:27 “And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.

   YLT: “`And if I, by Beelzeboul, do cast out the demons, your sons by whom do they cast out? because of this they they shall be your judges.”

   Literal Meaning: the Pharisees also cast out demons and they thought they did it by God in their eyes. However they criticized that the Lord cast out demons by the ruler of the demons. And this played a negative role in their standpoint.

 

Matt. 12:28 “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

   YLT: “`But if I, by the Spirit of God, do cast out the demons, then come already unto you did the reign of God.”

   Literal Meaning: “the Spirit of God” represents God’s authority and power. “The kingdom of God” is the sphere where God executes His authority and it is against the kingdom of Satan (v.26). Since the Lord is born of the Spirit and full of the Spirit, He is full of the authority and power of the Holy Spirit. Wherever He goes, there will be no room for the existence of the power of demons and certainly the kingdom of God has come there.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Where there is the authority of God, there will be no place for the demons. Magnifying the Lord is the key to overcome in the spiritual conflicts.

2) Not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God (Zech. 4:6).

3) Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2Cor. 3:17).

 

Matt. 12:29 “Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

   YLT: “`Or how is one able to go into the house of the strong man, and to plunder his goods, if first he may not bind the strong man? and then his house he will plunder.”

   Spiritual Meaning: “a strong man”: the mighty and powerful man, symbolizing Satan. “A strong man’s house”: the kingdom of Satan. “His goods and his house” symbolizes tools and goods utilized by Satan, i.e. the world utilized by it and under its power (1John. 5:19). 

  The Lord Jesus had crushed the head of Satan on the cross (Gen. 3:15) and all the believers are set free by Him (Gal. 5:1). We have been delivered from the authority of darkness and translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Col. 1:13).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Men were originally God’s possession. However men were stolen by Satan and became its goods.

2) The principle of our work is to bind first and then plunder. The effective way to gain men through glad tidings is praying to the Lord first for binding Satan.

3) Every spiritual work is obvious plunder instead of secret robbery. Christians should not deal with Satan courteously but without sincerity.

4) Prayers with faith by believers also could bind Satan (Matt. 16:19, 18:18).

 

Matt. 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

   YLT: “`He who is not with me is against me, and he who is not gathering with me, doth scatter.”

   Meaning of Words: “with”: stand on the same side; “gather”: lead together.

   Literal Meaning: “who is not with Me”: who does not stand on the side of the Lord. “Who does not gather with Me”: who does not bring men to the Lord.

  In this cosmos, there are only the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan and there is not any other kingdom or neutral position. Therefore, he who is not with the Lord is “against Me (the Lord)” and he who does not bring men to the Lord “scatters abroad”. They are of Satan.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We do not have any neutral position between the Lord and Satan.

2) Concerning the attitude towards Christ, “he who is not with Me is against Me”. Concerning the attitude towards works of those who are of Christ, “he who is not against us is for us” (Mark. 9:40).

3) It is impossible for a Christian not to be with the Lord on earth. It is also impossible for a Christian not to gather with the Lord ------never bring men to the Lord.

 

Matt. 12:31Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.

   YLT: “Because of this I say to you, all sin and evil speaking shall be forgiven to men, but the evil speaking of the Spirit shall not be forgiven to men.”

   Meaning of Words: “blasphemy”: evil speaking, defamation, and vilification (especially against God).

   Literal Meaning: “therefore I say to you”. It is a conclusion according to the above context. The Lord cast out demons by the Spirit of God (v.28) but the Pharisees said that He cast out demons by “the ruler of demons” (v.24). Therefore they blasphemed the Holy Spirit.

  If men repent, very sin of behavior and words will be forgiven. However if someone obviously knows that the Holy Spirit works and deliberately despises and blasphemes the Holy Spirit, his conduct restrains he Holy Spirit from working in his heart forever. In this way, it is impossible for him to repent of his sins and certainly he will never be forgiven.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) One will be forgiven if he is too weak to obey the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Only those who obviously know that something is of the Holy Spirit and say that it is of Satan will never be forgiven.

2) Every behavioral sin of men could be forgiven. However if men are purposely against the Holy Spirit and their hearts keep hard to the end, it will be impossible for them to be forgiven.

 

Matt. 12:32 “Anyone who 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 the age to come.

   YLT: “And whoever may speak a word against the Son of Man it shall be forgiven to him, but whoever may speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is coming.”

   Meaning of Words: “against”: towards, antagonize, and withstand.

   Literal Meaning: “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him.” “The Son of Man” is Christ. If men reject Him because they do not know that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God, they still have the possibility to come to realize the truth and turn to Him. Therefore they will be forgiven.

  “But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” If someone obviously knows that only by the Spirit of God a man is able to cast out demons, saying that someone casts out demons by the ruler of the demons, he purposely blasphemes the Holy Spirit and makes the Holy Spirit have no position to work in him, therefore he will not repent in the age of grace (“this age”) or be forgiven in the age of kingdom (“the age to come”).

 

Matt. 12:33Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.

   YLT: “`Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad, for from the fruit is the tree known.”

   Meaning of Words: “make”: do, order.

   Literal Meaning: “tree” refers to the good or bad of men’s hearts; “fruit” refers to the appearance of men’s conducts (See Matt. 7:15-20), here it specially refers to words. One could be judged good or not according to his words.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) One’s corruption of his words and conducts is determined by his heart.

2) It is impossible for a man with a holy heart to be specialized in saying unclean things. It is impossible for a man with a heart of love to say things of hatred.

 

Matt. 12:34 “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

   YLT: “`Brood of vipers! how are ye able to speak good things being evil? for out of the abundance of the heart doth the mouth speak.”

   Literal Meaning: words reflect one’s heart (words are the voice of mind). When there are something in his hearts, he will speak it out sooner or latter.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If we want to rule our mouths, we have to rule our hearts first (Prov. 25:28).

2) From one’s words, we could know the person because words greatly reflect one’s heart.

 

Matt. 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

   YLT: “The good man out of the good treasure of the heart doth put forth the good things, and the evil man out of the evil treasure doth put forth evil things.”

   Literal Meaning: the two “treasure” in original is like the way to receive and keep of the strongbox of bank. If we receive and keep some thoughts in our hearts, we will speak them out by our lips.

   Enlightenment in the Word: Please search me, the Lord and let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight (See Ps. 19:14).

 

Matt. 12:36 “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

   YLT: “`And I say to you, that every idle word that men may speak, they shall give for it a reckoning in a day of judgment;”

   Meaning of Words: “idle”: lazy, go slow at work; “give account”: repay, hand over the accounts.

   Literal Meaning: “idle word” means useless and unnecessary word in original. Today if we speak idle word light-headedly, we will give account of it in future. How serious punishment will those who speak evil words suffer!

   Enlightenment in the Word:                                                                                        

1) If the thoughts in one’s hearts have not been spoken out, there are still chances to cancel them. However once the words are spoken out, it is unchangeable. Therefore we should speak very carefully.

2) Christians not only say idle word for one time, they but also say it for twice. The words said light-headedly today will be spoken again before the judgment-seat of Christ.

 

Matt. 12:37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.’”

   YLT: “for from thy words thou shalt be declared righteous, and from thy words thou shalt be declared unrighteous.`”

   Literal Meaning: words are not the reason but the testimony for being justified or condemned. It is serious that every word we say today determines the position we stand in the kingdom of God in future.

 

Matt. 12:38 “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.’”

   YLT: “Then answered certain of the scribes and Pharisees, saying, `Teacher, we will to see a sign from thee.’”

   Meaning of Words: “sign”: miracle, wonder.

   Literal Meaning: “answered, saying” The scribes and Pharisees here asked the Lord Jesus to do a sign. It was their reply to the manifestation of His identity and they asked Him to show the evidence.

   Spiritual Meaning: the Scribes and Pharisees represent religious believers. “Sign” is the miraculous phenomenon with spiritual meaning. Religious believers only pay attention to apparent phenomenon and neglect the real meaning.

 

Matt. 12:39 “But He answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

   YLT: “And he answering said to them, `A generation, evil and adulterous, doth seek a sign, and a sign shall not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet;”

   Literal Meaning: “evil and adulterous generation” “evil” refers to the inner nature. “Adulterous” refers to the outer behavior. “Generation” refers to the age of the whole world in broad sense and all one’s life in narrow sense. The Lord here refers to the spiritual adultery instead of fleshly adultery. It means that people in that world were unfaithful to their spiritual husband------they were unfaithful to God and turned to idols (Hos. 4:12).

   Spiritual Meaning: “the sign of the prophet Jonah” (Jon. 1:17) is the type of the Lord’s death and resurrection.

  This verse means that only Christ who died and rose up from the dead could meet the need of the evil and adulterous generation. 

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Signs are of no effect to men who are with evil intentions and only arouse their curiosity.

2) The rising life of Christ that is manifested in believers is the sign that the world urgently needs to see.

 

Matt. 12:40 “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

   YLT: “for, as Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights, so shall the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.”

   The Background: according to the calculating method of time, a period of time could be called three days and three nights if it includes some time of the first day and the third day and the period of time could be short of seventy two hours.

   Spiritual Meaning: Jonah in the belly of the great fish is a sign. It typifies that the Lord died and was buried for us. He descended into the lower parts of the earth (Eph. 4:9) and stayed in hell (Acts. 2:27).

                                                                                        

Matt. 12:41 “The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

   YLT: “`Men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, for they reformed at the proclamation of Jonah, and lo, a greater than Jonah here!”

   Meaning of Words: “greater”: more in quality or quantity.

   Literal Meaning: “the men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it.” “The men of Nineveh” were gentiles and the moment they heard the preaching of Jonah, they repented (Jon. 3:5-8). The Lord here said that sinners who have repented are better than those who are self-righteous and do not receive the Lord Jesus.

  “Lo, indeed a greater than Jonah is here.” Jonah did not obey God’s dispatch and fled unto Tarshish (Jon. 1:3). Christ accepted God’s dispatch and became obedient even unto death (Pill. 2:8). Therefore He is greater than Jonah. 

  Christ is the prophet that is greater than Jonah. He was sent by God and spoke for God through His deeds.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The only need of this world is to see and receive the rising Christ.

2) The men of Nineveh repented at the words of Jonah at that time. Today all men have to repent at the Lord’s words.

3) Death first and then the resurrection. Our natural life should be delivered unto death and then the life of the rising Christ will be manifested (2Cor. 4:11).

4) If Christians are of two minds towards the Lord and do not follow the Lord well, lest a group of people will rise up and condemn us one day in future.

 

Matt. 12:42 “The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

   YLT: “`A queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and lo, a greater than Solomon here!”

   Meaning of Words: “greater”: more in quality and quantity.

   Literal Meaning: “The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it.” “The queen of the South” was the queen of Sheba. She was the gentile, living far away, and she made a long and difficult journey only for hearing the wisdom of Solomon (1Kings. 10:1-10). However, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in the Lord (Col. 2:3). Men in this world did not respect the Lord’s words and therefore they are inferior to the queen of the South.

  “Lo, indeed a greater than Solomon is there.” Solomon asked for an understanding heart (1Kings. 3:9) and Christ Himself is wisdom. Solomon spoke of the trees (1Kings. 4:33) and Christ is the Lord that created all. Therefore He is greater than Solomon. He is the greater king and he is king of kings (Rev. 17:14).

   Spiritual Meaning: Solomon spoke words of wisdom (1Kings. 4:34), built the temple of God (1Kings. 6:2) and inherited the kingdom (2Sam. 7:12). Solomon typifies that Christ is our wisdom (1Cor. 1:30), Christ builds the assembly for a habitation of God (Eph. 2:22) and will gain the kingdom (Rev. 11:15). Therefore we should hear Him (Matt. 17:5).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If we want to hear the wisdom of the Lord, we should humble ourselves like the queen of the South.

2) In order to hear the words of the Lord, some believers pay the price and they even disregard their lives. However some believers in easy environment do not have interest or longing in the Lord’s words, and even incline to the worldly things.

 

Matt. 12:43When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

   YLT: “`And, when the unclean spirit may go forth from the man, it doth walk through dry places seeking rest, and doth not find;”

   Meaning of Words: “dry”: waterless.

   Literal Meaning: “unclean spirit”: evil spirits. After they had been judged with water by God (See Gen. 1:2), they lived in the sea. Then they roost in dry places and the body of men after men had fallen and sinned against God. “An unclean spirit goes out of a man.” Unless the spirit finds some other objects, it won’t have rest and has to return to the sea (See Matt. 8:32).

 

Matt. 12:44 “Then he says, I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.

   YLT: “then it saith, I will turn back to my house whence I came forth; and having come, it findeth [it] unoccupied, swept, and adorned:”

   Meaning of Words: “put in order”: decorate, adorn.

   Literal Meaning: “swept” is negative, shipping the original things out. “Put in order” is positive, getting something in.

   Spiritual Meaning: “he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.” Though the religious believers the Pharisees represented also cast out demons, they did not receive the Lord Jesus to abide in their hearts after demons had been cast out from them (Eph. 3:17). They only paid attention to the outer morally good behaviors (“swept”) and decorated themselves with letters and regulations (“put in order”). But they did not have the Lord’s spirit dwelling in their hearts (Rom. 8:11). Therefore their hearts were “empty”.

 

Matt. 12:45 “Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.’”

   YLT: “then doth it go, and take with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and having gone in they dwell there, and the last of that man doth become worse than the first; so shall it be also to this evil generation.`”

   The Background: verse 43 to verse 45 is the historical background of the Jews in the past and the Lord rebuked that their state now is worse than before: through the event that they were taken away captive to Babylon, they had been cleansed and delivered from idols. However, as a result of their disobedience, unbelief and the hardness of their hearts, their state now had been worse than that of the period before they had been taken away captive. 

   Spiritual Meaning: “then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself.” “Seven” symbolizes the temporary perfect in the Bible. “Seven other spirits” symbolizes the complete power of Satan.

  “The last state of the man is worse than the first.” If men only pay attention to religious ceremonies and do not magnify the Lord, on the contrary, they will fall under the power of Satan and they will be played with by Satan unconsciously------their state is worse than that of the period when they have not paid attention to morality because not only God and men but also Satan could do nothing to the true evil ones. However the devil is able to manipulate and make fun of the good men who do not receive the Lord and therefore their states are worse than the first.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Men are unable to change themselves by their own abilities.

2) Demons love to dwell in the good ones who do not believe in the Lord because they keep the law, stress on morality and do not have Christ in themselves.

 

Matt. 12:46 “While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.

   YLT: “And while he was yet speaking to the multitudes, lo, his mother and brethren had stood without, seeking to speak to him,”

   The Background: “His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.” According to the records in the Gospel of Mark, before the Lord said these words, He cannot even eat break in order to do the will of God and His relatives said that He was out of His mind (Mark. 3:20-21). Therefore they may have invited His mother and brothers to exhort Him (Mark. 3:31).

   Literal Meaning: “behold” means to draw others’ attention.

 

Matt. 12:47 “Then one said to Him, Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.’”

   YLT: “and one said to him, `Lo, thy mother and thy brethren do stand without, seeking to speak to thee.’”

   Spiritual Meaning: in the “outside” of the house symbolizes that in the outside of the house of God (assembly).

   Enlightenment in the Word: Men have no way to draw near to the Lord and communicate with the Lord in the outside of the house of God.

 

Matt. 12:48 “But He answered and said to the one who told Him, Who is My mother and who are My brothers?’”

   YLT: “And he answering said to him who spake to him, `Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?’”

   Literal Meaning: the Lord did not abandon His relatives according to flesh (See John. 19:26-27). He said so to reveal that the relationship with each other in the house of God is not built on the blood relationship.          

 

Matt. 12:49 “And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers!

   YLT: “And having stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, he said, `Lo, my mother and my brethren!”

   Literal Meaning: “disciples” represent those who believe in and seek the Lord. In the house of God, the blood relationship and unity have changed into the spiritual relationship and unity.

 

Matt. 12:50 “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.’”

   YLT: “for whoever may do the will of my Father who is in the heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.’”

   Literal Meaning: the Lord Jesus is the center of the will of the Father. Anyone who does the will of God is His “brother” who helps Him, His “sister” who feels for Him and His “mother” who is meek and loves Him.

   Enlightenment in the Word:                                                                

1) The will of God is to bring us to enter into the eternal rest (Heb. 4:1-11) and therefore those who do the will of God will enjoy the rest in the house of God.

2) Whoever does the will of the Father lives in the reality of the kingdom of heaven. Certainly they will have the heavenly relationship with the king of the kingdom of heaven and become His relatives.

3) The spiritual relationship between the Lord and believers exceeds the blood relationship. Though believers have responsibilities and obligations to take, they should put doing the will of God first.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Reason Why the Lord Said His Disciples Were Lawful to Plunk Heads of Grain and to Eat on the Sabbath.

I. David and those who were with him were lawful eat the showbread when they were hungry (v3-4) ------the Lord is the true David and we are His followers.

II. The priests were lawful to profane the Sabbath in the temple (v.5) ------today we are all priests.

III. There is one greater than the temple (v.6) ------the Lord is greater than the temple and we abide in the Lord.

IV. The Lord desires mercy and not sacrifice (v.7) ------we should give priority to men’s needs that accord with the truth and should not stress on religious ceremonies so that neglect men’s needs.

V. The Lord is lord of the Sabbath (v.8) ------the Lord could dominate the Sabbath and men should not restrain the Lord by the Sabbath.

 

The King is the Reality of the Typifications:

I. He is the true “David” (v.1-4).

II. He is the greater “temple” (v.5-6).

III. He is the Lord of the “Sabbath” (v.7-8).

IV. He is the reality of the “Sabbath” (v.9-16).

V. He is the fulfillment of the “prophesy” (v.17-21).

VI. He is the greater “Jonah” (v.38-41).

VII. He is the greater “Solomon” (v.42).

 

The King is the Reality of the Kingdom of God

I. The kingdom of God is manifested in casting out demons by the Holy Spirit (v.22-30).

II. If we do not let the Holy Spirit work in us, we won’t partake in the kingdom of God (v.31-37).

III. If our hearts are not possessed by the Lord, our hearts may become the dwelling place of the devil (v.43-45).

 

The King is the Reality of the House of God

I. Only in the house of God, men are able to draw near to the Lord and communicate with the Lord (v.46-47).

II. Only those who do the will of God are members in the house of God (v.48-50).

 

Men Stressed on the Appearance and the Lord Stressed on the Inner Hearts

I. The Pharisees stressed on traditional teachings of the ancients and the Lord stressed on men’s mercy (v.8--9).

II. Men stressed on conventional teachings and the Lord stressed on saving men (v.9-21).

III. The Pharisees blasphemed the Holy Spirit and the Lord bound the strong man first (v.22-32).

IV. Men stressed on speaking idly words and the Lord stressed on the goodness of hearts (v.33-45).

V. Men stressed on seeing signs and the Lord stressed on the inner states of men (v.38-45).

VI. Men stressed on blood relationship and the Lord stressed on doing the will of God (v.46-50).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren