Matthew:12:1-14

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rwp @Matthew:12:1 @{On the sabbath day through the cornfields } (\tois sabbasin dia t “n sporim “n \). This paragraph begins exactly like strkjv @11:25 | "at that season " (\en ekein “i t “i kair “i \), a general statement with no clear idea of time . Songs:also strkjv @14:1 |. The word \kairos \ means a definite and particular time , but we cannot fix it . The word "cornfields " does not mean our maize or Indian corn , but simply fields of grain (wheat or even barley ). rwp @Matthew:12:2 @{Thy disciples do } (\hoi math ˆtai sou poiousin \). These critics are now watching a chance and they jump at this violation of their Pharisaic rules for Sabbath observance . The disciples were plucking the heads of wheat which to the Pharisees was reaping and were rubbing them in their hands (Luke:6:1 |) which was threshing . rwp @Matthew:12:3 @{What David did } (\ti epoi ˆsen Daueid \). From the necessity of hunger . The first defence made by Christ appeals to the conduct of David (2Samuel:21:6 |). David and those with him did "what was not lawful " (\ho ouk exon ˆn \) precisely the charge made against the disciples (\ho ouk exestin \ in verse 2 |). rwp @Matthew:12:6 @{One greater than the temple } (\tou hierou meizon \). Ablative of comparison , \tou hierou \. The Textus Receptus has \meiz “n \, but the neuter is correct . Literally , "something greater than the temple ." What is that ? It may still be Christ , or it may be : "The work and His disciples were of more account than the temple " (Plummer ). "If the temple was not subservient to Sabbath rules , how much less the Messiah !" (Allen ). rwp @Matthew:12:7 @{The guiltless } (\tous anaitious \). Songs:in verse 5 |. Common in ancient Greek . No real ground against , it means \an \ + \aitios \. Jesus quotes strkjv @Hosea:6:6 | here as he did in strkjv @Matthew:9:13 |. A pertinent prophecy that had escaped the notice of the sticklers for ceremonial literalness and the letter of the law . rwp @Matthew:12:9 @{Lord of the Sabbath } (\kurios tou sabbatou \). This claim that he as the Son of Man is master of the Sabbath and so above the Pharisaic regulations angered them extremely . By the phrase "the Son of man " here Jesus involves the claim of Messiahship , but as the Representative Man he affirms his solidarity with mankind , "standing for the human interest " (Bruce ) on this subject . rwp @Matthew:12:10 @{Is it lawful ?} (\ei exestin \). The use of \ei \ in direct questions is really elliptical and seems an imitation of the Hebrew (Robertson , _Grammar_ , p . 916 ). See also strkjv @Matthew:19:3 |. It is not translated in English . rwp @Matthew:12:12 @{How much then is a man } (\pos “i oun diapherei anthr “pos \). Another of Christ 's pregnant questions that goes to the roots of things , an _a fortiori_ argument . "By how much does a human being differ from a sheep ? That is the question which Christian civilization has not even yet adequately answered " (Bruce ). The poor pettifogging Pharisees are left in the pit . rwp @Matthew:12:13 @{Stretch forth thy hand } (\ekteinon sou t ˆn cheira \). Probably the arm was not withered , though that is not certain . But he did the impossible . "He stretched it forth ," straight , I hope , towards the Pharisees who were watching Jesus (Mark:3:2 |). rwp @Matthew:12:14 @{Took counsel against him } (\sumboulion elabon kat ' autou \). An imitation of the Latin _concilium capere_ and found in papyri of the second century A .D . (Deissmann , _Bible Studies_ , p . 238 .) This incident marks a crisis in the hatred of the Pharisees toward Jesus . They bolted out of the synagogue and actually conspired with their hated rivals , the Herodians , how to put Jesus to death (Mark:3:6 ; strkjv @Matthew:12:14 ; strkjv @Luke:6:11 |). By "destroy " (\apoles “sin \) they meant "kill ."

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