6 But G1161 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 in this place G5602 is one G2076 greater than G3187 the temple. G2411
The men G435 of Nineveh G3536 shall rise G450 in G1722 judgment G2920 with G3326 this G5026 generation, G1074 and G2532 shall condemn G2632 it: G846 because G3754 they repented G3340 at G1519 the preaching G2782 of Jonas; G2495 and, G2532 behold, G2400 a greater than G4119 Jonas G2495 is here. G5602 The queen G938 of the south G3558 shall rise up G1453 in G1722 the judgment G2920 with G3326 this G5026 generation, G1074 and G2532 shall condemn G2632 it: G846 for G3754 she came G2064 from G1537 the uttermost parts G4009 of the earth G1093 to hear G191 the wisdom G4678 of Solomon; G4672 and, G2532 behold, G2400 a greater than G4119 Solomon G4672 is here. G5602
And I will shake H7493 all nations, H1471 and the desire H2532 of all nations H1471 shall come: H935 and I will fill H4390 this house H1004 with glory, H3519 saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts. H6635 The silver H3701 is mine, and the gold H2091 is mine, saith H5002 the LORD H3068 of hosts. H6635 The glory H3519 of this latter H314 house H1004 shall be greater than H1419 of the former, H7223 saith H5002 the LORD H3068 of hosts: H6635 and in this place H4725 will I give H5414 peace, H7965 saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts. H6635
Ye fools G3474 and G2532 blind: G5185 for G1063 whether G5101 is G2076 greater, G3187 the gold, G5557 or G2228 the temple G3485 that sanctifieth G37 the gold? G5557 And, G2532 Whosoever G3739 G1437 shall swear G3660 by G1722 the altar, G2379 it is G2076 nothing; G3762 but G1161 whosoever G3739 G302 sweareth G3660 by G1722 the gift G1435 that is upon G1883 it, G846 he is guilty. G3784 Ye fools G3474 and G2532 blind: G5185 for G1063 whether G5101 is greater, G3187 the gift, G1435 or G2228 the altar G2379 that sanctifieth G37 the gift? G1435 Whoso therefore G3767 shall swear G3660 by G1722 the altar, G2379 sweareth G3660 by G1722 it, G846 and G2532 by G1722 all things G3956 thereon. G1883 G846 And G2532 whoso shall swear G3660 by G1722 the temple, G3485 sweareth G3660 by G1722 it, G846 and G2532 by G1722 him that dwelleth G2730 therein. G846
Jesus G2424 answered G611 and G2532 said G2036 unto them, G846 Destroy G3089 this G5126 temple, G3485 and G2532 in G1722 three G5140 days G2250 I will raise G1453 it G846 up. G1453 Then G3767 said G2036 the Jews, G2453 Forty G5062 and G2532 six G1803 years G2094 was G3618 this G3778 temple G3485 in building, G3618 and G2532 wilt G1453 thou G4771 rear G1453 it G846 up G1453 in G1722 three G5140 days? G2250 But G1161 he G1565 spake G3004 of G4012 the temple G3485 of his G846 body. G4983
And are built G2026 upon G1909 the foundation G2310 of the apostles G652 and G2532 prophets, G4396 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 himself G846 being G5607 the chief corner G204 stone; In G1722 whom G3739 all G3956 the building G3619 fitly framed together G4883 groweth G837 unto G1519 an holy G40 temple G3485 in G1722 the Lord: G2962 In G1722 whom G3739 ye G5210 also G2532 are builded together G4925 for G1519 an habitation G2732 of God G2316 through G1722 the Spirit. G4151
To G4314 whom G3739 coming, G4334 as unto a living G2198 stone, G3037 disallowed G593 indeed G3303 of G5259 men, G444 but G1161 chosen G1588 of G3844 God, G2316 and precious, G1784 Ye G846 also, G2532 as G5613 lively G2198 stones, G3037 are built up G3618 a spiritual G4152 house, G3624 an holy G40 priesthood, G2406 to offer up G399 spiritual G4152 sacrifices, G2378 acceptable G2144 to God G2316 by G1223 Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Matthew 12
Commentary on Matthew 12 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 12
In this chapter, we have,
Mat 12:1-13
The Jewish teachers had corrupted many of the commandments, by interpreting them more loosely than they were intended; a mistake which Christ discovered and rectified (ch. 5) in his sermon on the mount: but concerning the fourth commandment, they had erred in the other extreme, and interpreted it too strictly. Note, it is common for men of corrupt minds, by their zeal in rituals, and the external services of religion, to think to atone for the looseness of their morals. But they are cursed who add to, as well as they who take from, the words of this book, Rev. 22:16, 19; Prov. 30:6.
Now that which our Lord Jesus here lays down is, that the works of necessity and mercy are lawful on the sabbath day, which the Jews in many instances were taught to make a scruple of. Christ's industrious explanation of the fourth commandment, intimates its perpetual obligation to the religious observation of one day in seven, as a holy sabbath. He would not expound a law that was immediately to expire, but doubtless intended hereby to settle a point which would be of use to his church in all ages; and so it is to teach us, that our Christian sabbath, though under the direction of the fourth commandment, is not under the injunctions of the Jewish elders.
It is usual to settle the meaning of a law by judgments given upon cases that happen in fact, and in like manner is the meaning of this law settled. Here are two passages of story put together for this purpose, happening at some distance of time from each other, and of a different nature, but both answering this intention.
Note, It is no new thing for the most harmless and innocent actions of Christ's disciples to be evil spoken of, and reflected upon as unlawful, especially by those who are zealous for their own inventions and impositions. The Pharisees complained of them to their Master for doing that which it was not lawful to do. Note, Those are no friends to Christ and his disciples, who make that to be unlawful which God has not made to be so.
Christ having thus silenced the Pharisees, and got clear of them (v. 9), departed, and went into their synagogue, the synagogue of these Pharisees, in which they presided, and toward which he was going, when they picked this quarrel with him. Note,
Here is,
Hence Christ infers a truth, which, even at first sight, appears very reasonable and good-natured; that it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days; they had asked, Is it lawful to hear? Christ proves it is lawful to do well, and let any one judge whether healing, as Christ healed, was not doing well. Note, There are more ways of doing well upon sabbath days, than by the duties of God's immediate worship; attending the sick, relieving the poor, helping those who are fallen into sudden distress, and call for speedy relief; this is doing good: and this must be done from a principle of love and charity, with humility and self-denial, and a heavenly frame of spirit, and this is doing well, and it shall be accepted, Gen. 4:7.
Mat 12:14-21
As in the midst of Christ's greatest humiliations, there were proofs of his dignity, so in the midst of his greatest honours, he gave proofs of his humility; and when the mighty works he did gave him an opportunity of making a figure, yet he made it appear that he emptied himself, and made himself of no reputation. Here we have,
Christ did not retire for his own ease, nor seek an excuse to leave off his work; no, his retirements were filled up with business, and he was even then doing good, when he was forced to flee for the same. Thus he gave an example to his ministers, to do what they can, when they cannot do what they would, and to continue teaching, even when they are removed into corners. When the Pharisees, the great dons and doctors of the nation, drove Christ from then, and forced him to withdraw himself, yet the common people crowded after him; great multitudes followed him and found him out. This some would turn to his reproach, and call him the ring-leader of the mob; but it was really his honour, that all who were unbiased and unprejudiced, and not blinded by the pomp of the world, were so hearty, so zealous for him, that they would follow him whithersoever he went, and whatever hazards they ran with him; as it was also the honour of his grace, that the poor were evangelized; that when they received him, he received them and healed them all. Christ came into the world to be a Physician-general, as the sun to the lower world, with healing under his wings. Though the Pharisees persecuted Christ for doing good, yet he went on in it, and did not let the people fare the worse for the wickedness of their rulers. Note, Though some are unkind to us, we must not on that account be unkind to others.
Christ studied to reconcile usefulness and privacy; he healed them all, and yet (v. 16), charged them that they should not make him known; which may be looked upon,
Mat 12:22-37
In these verses we have,
Christ's reply to this imputation is copious and cogent, that every mouth may be stopped with sense and reason, before it be stopped with fire and brimstone. Here are three arguments by which he demonstrates the unreasonableness of this suggestion.
The latter clause is to the same purport: He that gathereth not with me scattereth. Note,
Mat 12:38-45
It is probable that these Pharisees with whom Christ is here in discourse were not the same that cavilled at him (v. 24), and would not credit the signs he gave; but another set of them, who saw that there was no reason to discredit them, but would not content themselves with the signs he gave, nor admit the evidence of them, unless he would give them such further proof as they should demand. Here is,
Justly might Christ have said, They shall never see another miracle: but see his wonderful goodness;
Now this sign of the prophet Jonas he further explains here; (v. 40) As Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, and then came out again safe and well, thus Christ shall be so long in the grave, and then shall rise again.
Now Christ represents the people of the Jews,
The body of that nation is here represented,
Mat 12:46-50
Many excellent, useful sayings came from the mouth of our Lord Jesus upon particular occasions; even his digressions were instructive, as well as his set discourses: as here,
Observe,