Overview

In the twelfth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter several short parables that relate to the state of the Jewish nation. This chapter marks a turning point in Matthew's Gospel. The Lord Jesus had revealed Himself as the promised Messiah to His people. The multitude had heard His words of grace and seen His wonderful acts of power: the blind received sight, lepers were healed, demons were cast out, and the dead were raised. It should have been evident that "Emmanuel" (meaning "God with us") had come to "save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21-23). However, the people, as a whole, lacked a heart for Jesus and the graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More He offered. The leaders, in their deep-seated hatred, even accused Him of driving out demons by BeelzebubThis name probably comes from the deity from Ekron Baal-Sebub (2 Kgs 1:2-4), which translates as "Lord of the Flies". It was considered a protector against poisonous flies and, therefore,... More, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:24).

The Lord accepted the rejection from His people and subsequently severed the outward ties that bound Him to them (Matthew 12:46-50). From that moment, He no longer offered Himself to the Jewish nation as their Messiah. Instead, He chose to work in a new way with the "Kingdom of Heaven." As a sign of the impending change in God’s plans, "Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea" (Matthew 13:1).

Throughout the twelfth chapter, the Lord intersperses three small parables into His concluding speeches to the people: the "sheep in the pit" (Matthew 12:11), the "house of the strong man" (Matthew 12:29), and the "unclean spirit" (Matthew 12:43-45). The first parable addresses the question of the Sabbath, the second concerns the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and the third reflects the desire of that "wicked and adulterous generation" (the Jews) to see a signThe Gospel of John tells us about eight signs that the Lord Jesus performed. These signs, which are also miracles, point to something special. They aim to help us grow... More from the Lord.

The Sabbath

The first eight verses of the chapter reveal the Pharisees' enmity. When the Lord's disciples picked some heads of grain on the Sabbath and crushed them in their hands to eat, the Pharisees objected, saying, "Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:2). They were mistaken. It was not the law that forbade this action (see Deuteronomy 23:25), but rather the exaggerated regulations they had added—what He referred to as the "tradition of men" (Mark 7:8).

Instead of highlighting how inappropriate it was for them to add their own regulations to God's law, He demonstrated through His actions and teaching that the connection between the nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More and God had been severed. What value did the outward forms of their Jewish worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More have if the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More was being rejected?

The history of the people had seen similar moments of rejection. Previously, King David had been rejected by his people and forced to flee for his life, while Saul, the people's chosen king, sat on the throne. On one particular SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More, David and his men ate from the showbreadAccording to divine instruction, twelve loaves of bread (also referred to as cakes in Lev 24:5) were to be placed on the table in the sanctuary, God's dwelling place. In... More, which was reserved for the priests, yet remained innocent (see Leviticus 24 and 1 Samuel 21). How could this be explained? Simple: when the Lord's anointed is rejected, even the sacred things given to the people by God lose their sanctity.

Thus, it is significant that the disciples of Jesus were picking ears of grain to satisfy their hunger while the MessiahMessiah is a Hebrew word (Maschíach) meaning “the Anointed One.” In the New Testament, the Greek form “the Christ” is used and applied to the Lord Jesus alone. The Jews,... More was in their midst—an unmistakable indication of His rejection. What sense did it make to strictly observe the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More if the Lord of the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More was not honored? Can God accept anything as sacred from those who reject His Son? How meaningless are outward rituals when the heart is not aligned with ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More!

The healing of the man with the withered hand, which is related to our parable, also occurred on the Sabbath. The hypocritical question from the Pharisees was, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" (Matthew 12:10). They were once again seeking grounds for accusation. Before we delve into the Lord's answer, illustrated by the image of the "sheep in the pit," let us pause to reflect on the fundamental significance of the Sabbath—a matter that even true Christians sometimes misunderstand, leading to various unhealthy teachings and practices.

Do Christians also need to observe the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More? If so, has it been moved to Sunday? The answer to both questions is a clear no. No reference in the New Testament indicates that the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More has been transferred to Sunday. When the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More is mentioned, it always refers to the seventh day of the week, not the first.

The SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More was a day of rest given to the people of Israel. God Himself rested on the seventh day from all His work (Genesis 2:2-3) and “sanctified” it, distinguishing it from the other days of the week. Later, the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More became a crucial part of the Mosaic Law, symbolizing man's labor and toil under the law, with the promise of rest if one meets the law's requirements. However, we know that this rest was never realized due to sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More. Therefore, the seventh day represents the Jewish system.

It is noteworthy that when the Lord Jesus is presented in the Gospels in connection with the Sabbath, He always seemed to "break" it, at least in the eyes of the Jews. In fact, He performed many miracles on the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More, which indicated a break from His connection to Israel, of which the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More was a special signThe Gospel of John tells us about eight signs that the Lord Jesus performed. These signs, which are also miracles, point to something special. They aim to help us grow... More (cf. Luke 13:16; John 5:9; 7:23; 9:14).

Moreover, Jesus "sanctioned" another day: the first day of the week. On this day, He appeared to His assembled disciples as the victorious risen One (John 20:19). This day, which is referred to in the Old Testament as "the day after the Sabbath" (Leviticus 23:11, 16), is designated as "the Lord's Day" in the New Testament (Revelation 1:10) because it belongs to Him.

The resurrection of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More marks the beginning of a new creation"New creation" is mentioned twice in the NT (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15) and describes the result that God produces when a person is born again; a new type of... More and serves as the foundation of the new covenantUnlike the covenant at Mount Sinai, the new covenant is a covenant without conditions on the part of man. God will establish this covenant with the house of Judah and... More. God was fully glorified through Him and His completed work of redemptionRedemption is part of God's plan of salvation. Redemption means that someone is freed from bondage. The redemption of Israel from the power of Pharaoh is an example of this.... More, culminating in His resurrection. In the Risen ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More, the true Christian now finds rest and joy. Consequently, the first day of the week, our Sunday, symbolizes Christianity. Whenever we experience it, it continually reminds us of His resurrection. It is a precious gift from God.

On this day, the first Christians gathered to break bread (Acts 20:7). The apostleApostle (Greek) means "sent one." Today, we are "messengers" for Christ when we pass on the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). But the highest-ranking messenger is Jesus Christ himself (Heb 3:1;... More Paul also urged believers to set aside money for the Lord's work and for the poor on every first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:2). Do we not have every reason to rejoice in this gift and to use this day in a special way to worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More the Father and the Son?

There is an important distinction to consider: God did not impose a law for the first day of the week, known as the Lord's Day. The Jews, being under the law, were obligated to observe the Sabbath. However, believers in the time of grace have died to the law (Romans 7:1-6) and are no longer bound by any yoke, including that of the law. As the apostle Paul states, "For freedom Christ has set us free," and he later emphasizes, "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Galatians 5:1, 13). While the Israelites had a duty to observe the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More, Christians have the privilege of spending the first day of the week in communion with God.

In conclusion, it is essential to acknowledge that the eternal SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More rest is reserved for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9). Although sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More has interrupted this rest in a sense, God continues to work, as do ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More and the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. The goal of God's work is the salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More of many, through which He desires to use us, ultimately leading to the reconciliation"Reconcile" can also be translated as "balance." It describes how people are "brought into an agreement." "Reconcile with God" means to bring people or things into harmony with God. It... More of all things (Colossians 1:20). When His purpose is fulfilled, and everything in God's universe aligns with His original intention, He will rest from all His worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More. At that time, we too will share in this wonderful, eternal rest to which the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More has pointed for millennia.

The Man with the Withered Hand

While Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath, a man with a withered hand was present (Matthew 12:9-13; Mark 3:1-5; Luke 6:6-11). The Pharisees and scribes were closely observing Him to see if He would heal on the Sabbath. Matthew uniquely notes that they even asked Him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" This question indicates that they were inwardly convinced that Jesus had the power to heal, yet they refused to believe in Him. What a revelation of their hard-heartedness!

Although our Savior lived in humility among people, He always remained in control of the situation. This knowledge is reassuring. The man with the withered hand stepped forward at the Lord's request, standing in the center of the synagogueAt the time of the New Testament, the synagogue was a place where people gathered to hear the law. The beginnings of synagogues probably date back to the time of... More. The Lord's adversaries were already filled with malicious anticipation, knowing they had set a trap for Him. Then, breaking the tense silence with His calming and composed voice, the Master asked:

"What man among you, having one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:11-12).

What compelling logic from the divine! Who could possibly argue against it? In this way, Jesus effectively exposed the hypocrisy of His opponents using a simple and relatable parableA parable is a pictorial representation of messages that are not directly stated and require interpretation. God already used parables in the Old Testament to convey messages to his people... More.

The beauty of this message lies in its portrayal of the Lord Jesus as the good shepherd who rescues one of His sheep from a pit. This connection is further illustrated by the events that follow, demonstrating how the Lord combines a parableA parable is a pictorial representation of messages that are not directly stated and require interpretation. God already used parables in the Old Testament to convey messages to his people... More with a miracle. While He is pulling the sheep out of the pit in this instance, in the parallel parables found in Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:4-7, He searches for the one sheep that has strayed away. The parableA parable is a pictorial representation of messages that are not directly stated and require interpretation. God already used parables in the Old Testament to convey messages to his people... More in Luke 15 begins with a phrase very similar to that in Matthew 12: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4).

The Lord’s question, “Of how much more value, then, is a man than a sheep?” applies to both parables and serves as part of His response to the indignation expressed by the PhariseesThe Pharisees were a small but influential religious group at the time of the New Testament. They demanded a strict separation from the lifestyle and practices of the gentiles and... More. In the first case, they were upset because Jesus healed on the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... More, and in the second case, they were angered by His willingness to receive sinners and dine with them.

An example where a parable follows a miracle, contrary to our current discussion, is found in John 9 and 10. In chapter 9, Jesus performs a miracle to restore sight to a man born blind, which then sets the stage for the parable of the door of the sheep in the following chapter. Another example of this sequence—miracle followed by parable—occurs in Matthew 12:22-29 in the parable of the "house of the strong man."

In our current case, the miracle follows the parable: "Then He said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other" (Matthew 12:13). How wonderful! This man had faith—faith enough to stretch out his withered hand at the command of the Lord. We can all learn something from him. Do we also believe the words of our Lord when He asks us to stretch out our hands to Him, which, by nature, can feel withered and unproductive? He always responds to our obedient faith with abundant blessings.

It's easy to see that the "man with the withered hand" symbolizes the people of Israel. This people were, and still are, in a state of spiritual withering, lacking the faith to reach out to Him. Unlike the man, they did not take advantage of the Lord's presence or His willingness to heal. However, there will come a day when, through severe trials, they will finally express faith in the Lord Jesus. For now, the distressing words of the prophet remain true for this people: "Zion spreads out her hands, but no one comforts her; the Lord has commanded concerning Jacob that his adversaries be around him" (Lamentations 1:17).