Matthew 12 Commentary
The closing lines of chapter 11 mention rest for the weary and burdened. It shouldn’t be surprising that chapter 12 starts with a question on Sabbath. It is clear that the scripture wants the reader to contrast the two Sabbaths: the rest that the weary and burdened receive from the LORD Jesus Christ and the rest that comes from a Saturday. But there is more.
For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. Verse 8.
The Son of Man can do what He wants because he is on duty; He is the boss. It is an obvious allusion. Importantly though, is this thought’s linkage to the previous chapter’s closing lines. It is the same thought. Real rest comes when weary and burdened men and women come to Jesus. Then, and only then can humanity experience the real Sabbath.
I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. Verse 6. Can it get bigger than this? You easily understand why the Pharisees wanted the LORD Jesus Christ dead! So audacious! Daringly blasphemous! Big words indeed!
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” It is not the first time that the LORD Jesus has quoted this scripture in this gospel. In the first instance, the Pharisees confronted Jesus for eating with tax collectors and the sinners. We have the second instance here when Jesus heals a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath. No such quarrels from us: we know He is the LORD of the Sabbath.
Look at Isaiah’s view of these events as quoted in Matthew.
“The one I love, in whom I delight.” Remember the message from Heaven at the Baptism of the LORD Jesus Christ?
“I will put my Spirit on Him.” The dove descended on Jesus at His baptism symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Remember how the Spirit of the LORD would empower individuals in the Book of Judges for the purpose of delivering Israel from her enemies? Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson are among them; we may include Samuel and David on the list.
“…till he has brought justice through to victory.” What good news! Justice will finally win the day! Amen!
“Could this be the Son of David?” We say yes! But not the Pharisees! Not for the first time, they accuse Jesus of driving out demons by the power of the prince of demons. A very sorry situation, we say, until we realize our own folly each time we have accommodated evil in the same heart where the Holy Spirit dwells!
THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN: The Son of Man is specially powered by the Holy Spirit. Rejecting the Son of Man is rejecting the Holy Spirit. You will have rejected the Way, the Truth, and the Life. How can you find your way to Heaven? Is there any other way round the Son of Man to Heaven?
Verse 40 is a direct reference to the Resurrection. Could it be a sign good enough for the doubting Pharisees?
The chapter closes with this statement: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
In chapter 9, Jesus addressed the man with leprosy as ‘son’ and the woman with an issue of blood as ‘daughter’. He was the Father! Now here he has brothers and sisters.
“Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” Hebrews 2 verses 11 and 12.
There are all these threads of prophecy that converge on the man Jesus. Who is Jesus? He is Yahweh, the ‘IAM’ God of the burning bush. We simply cannot tell! No wonder the Pharisees were confused! We are however grateful that the Holy Spirit has revealed “things which are hidden” to the saint in his or her salvation.
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