Matthew 12 – Confronting Legalism, the Unpardonable Sin, and the Power of Christ
Matthew 12 presents Jesus’ authority over the Sabbath, His power over demons, and His warning about blaspheming the Holy Spirit. It highlights growing opposition from religious leaders and Jesus’ redefinition of family in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus vs. Religious Hypocrisy
Matthew 12 intensifies the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees. They challenge Him on Sabbath observance and demonic power, but Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, hardness of heart, and rejection of the Holy Spirit.
✔ Jesus declares Himself Lord of the Sabbath.
✔ He heals a man, showing mercy over ritualism.
✔ Pharisees accuse Him of working by Satan’s power.
✔ Jesus warns about the unpardonable sin—blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
✔ He defines true family as those who do God’s will.
📖 Key Verse: “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” – Matthew 12:50
🔎 Jesus redefines spiritual identity—not by lineage, but by obedience to God.
Matthew Chapter 12 - Overview
Matthew 12:1-14 – Jesus, the Sabbath, and Mercy Over Legalism
📖 Matthew 12:1-2 – “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. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath.”
🔎 The Pharisees had added extra traditions to the Sabbath, restricting even basic acts like plucking grain to eat. Their man-made rules overshadowed the true purpose of the Sabbath—a time of rest and refreshment.
🔎 Their accusation was rooted in legalism, not biblical truth. Nowhere in the Law did God prohibit eating grain by hand on the Sabbath (Deuteronomy 23:25). The Pharisees’ focus was on tradition, not God’s intent.
📖 Matthew 12:3-4 – “But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread…?”
🔎 Jesus references 1 Samuel 21:6, where David and his men ate the consecrated bread reserved for priests.
🔎 The principle: Human need is greater than ritual law. David was not condemned, because God values mercy over rigid rule-keeping.
📖 Matthew 12:5-6 – “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? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.”
🔎 Temple priests worked on the Sabbath, yet were guiltless because their work was for God’s service (Numbers 28:9-10).
🔎 Jesus is greater than the temple—if priests could ‘break’ the Sabbath law in service to God, how much more could He, the Lord of the Sabbath, determine what is lawful?
📖 Matthew 12:7 – “But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.”
🔎 Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6, emphasizing that God desires mercy over ritualistic sacrifice. The Pharisees had missed God’s heart—they upheld tradition while neglecting compassion and justice.
📖 Matthew 12:8 – “For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.”
🔎 Jesus claims authority over the Sabbath itself. This is a direct claim to divinity, as God alone established the Sabbath (Genesis 2:3).
📖 Matthew 12:9-10 – “And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 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.”
🔎 The Pharisees were more concerned with trapping Jesus than with compassion. Healing was not forbidden on the Sabbath, but their rigid interpretation considered it ‘work.’
📖 Matthew 12:11-12 – “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? How much then is a man better than a sheep?”
🔎 Jesus exposes their hypocrisy. They allowed rescuing animals on the Sabbath but opposed healing a person!
🔎 His argument: If saving an animal is allowed, how much more a human life? This reflects God’s compassion over rigid tradition.
📖 Matthew 12:13-14 – “Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.”
🔎 Jesus performs an undeniable miracle, yet the Pharisees respond with hatred. Instead of rejoicing over the healing, they conspire to kill Him.
🔎 Legalism blinds people to God’s work—choosing pride over truth leads to destruction.
Matthew 12:15-32 – Jesus’ Power vs. The Unpardonable Sin
📖 Matthew 12:18-21 – “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased…”
🔎 Jesus fulfills Isaiah 42:1-4, confirming His role as the Messiah.
📖 Matthew 12:22-24 – “This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.”
🔎 The Pharisees commit a serious offense—attributing God’s work to Satan.
📖 Matthew 12:31-32 – “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven… but blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven.”
🔎 Blaspheming the Holy Spirit means willfully rejecting Christ’s power and work. It is a deliberate, hardened denial of the truth.
Matthew 12:33-45 – Words Reveal the Heart & The Sign of Jonah
📖 Matthew 12:34 – “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
🔎 Our words reflect our inner condition. A righteous heart produces righteous speech.
📖 Matthew 12:38-40 – “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign… so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
🔎 Jesus prophesies His resurrection, using Jonah’s time in the fish as a typological foreshadowing.
Matthew 12:46-50 – The True Family of Christ
📖 Matthew 12:48-50 – “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?… whosoever shall do the will of my Father…”
🔎 Spiritual kinship surpasses blood relations. Jesus prioritizes obedience to God over earthly ties.
Matthew Chapter 12 - Deeper Study
Overview: The Clash Between Religion and True Righteousness
🔹 Timeframe: Increasing opposition to Jesus’ ministry.
🔹 Setting: Various encounters with the Pharisees and the multitudes.
🔹 Theme: Religious legalism vs. true faith in Christ.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath—mercy matters more than ritual.
🔑 Attributing God’s power to Satan is a dangerous rejection of truth.
🔑 Words reveal the condition of the heart.
🔑 Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate sign of His authority.
🔑 True family is defined by obedience to God, not just biology.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 Jesus as the Servant of Isaiah 42 – The prophecy of the gentle, Spirit-filled Messiah is fulfilled in Him.
🔮 The Sign of Jonah as a Type of Resurrection – Just as Jonah was in the fish three days, so Jesus would be in the grave before rising again.
🔮 Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit – Similar to Pharaoh hardening his heart (Exodus 8:32), rejecting clear signs of God’s power.
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Sabbath Laws & Pharisaic Legalism – The Pharisees added extra restrictions beyond the Mosaic Law, making the Sabbath a burden rather than a blessing.
📜 Beelzebub & Jewish Demonology – Beelzebub was a name used for Satan, originating from Baal worship (2 Kings 1:2).
📜 Family & Social Structure in Ancient Israel – Family loyalty was paramount, making Jesus’ statement about spiritual family radical.
💡 Final Reflection: Do We Recognize Jesus’ Authority?
Matthew 12 highlights the danger of rejecting Christ’s power. The Pharisees’ legalism, slander, and hardness of heart serve as warnings against resisting the truth.
📌 Are we more focused on religious rules than God’s mercy?
📌 Do our words reflect hearts that are right with God?
📌 Are we part of Jesus’ spiritual family through obedience?
🚀 The choice is before us—accept Christ’s authority or reject it. Which side will we stand on?
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
Mat 12:1 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.
Mat 12:2 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.
Mat 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
Mat 12:4 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?
Mat 12:5 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?
Mat 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
Mat 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mat 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
A Man with a Withered Hand
Mat 12:9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
Mat 12:10 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.
Mat 12:11 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?
Mat 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Mat 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
Mat 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
God’s Chosen Servant
Mat 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
Mat 12:16 And charged them that they should not make him known:
Mat 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
Mat 12:18 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.
Mat 12:19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
Mat 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
Mat 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
Mat 12:22 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.
Mat 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
Mat 12:25 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:
Mat 12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
Mat 12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
Mat 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Mat 12:29 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.
Mat 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
Mat 12:31 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.
Mat 12:32 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.
A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit
Mat 12:33 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.
Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Mat 12:35 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.
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
The Sign of Jonah
Mat 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
Mat 12:39 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:
Mat 12:40 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.
Mat 12:41 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.
Mat 12:42 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.
Return of an Unclean Spirit
Mat 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Mat 12:44 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.
Mat 12:45 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.
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
Mat 12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Mat 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Date Written
Approximately 50-60 AD
Written By
The Apostle Matthew (Levi)
Language
Originally written in Greek (with strong Hebraic influence)
Verses
50