ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Matthew 12

Matt. 12:1 pluck heads of grain. The edges of a field were usually left unharvested so that the poor and hungry, foreigners, orphans, and widows could gather food for themselves (see Lev. 19:9; 23:22).

Matt. 12:2 Pharisees. See note on 3:7.

Matt. 12:4 ate the bread of the Presence. Twelve loaves of bread were baked and placed in the tabernacle each Sabbath as an offering. The bread was to be eaten by the priests (Lev. 24:5–9).

Matt. 12:5 To carry out their duties, priests had to work on the Sabbath (and thus “profane” it). That they were guiltless in doing so shows that God made allowances within the law.

Matt. 12:7 “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” See note on 9:13.

Matt. 12:8 the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath. Jesus does not challenge the Sabbath law itself but rather the Pharisees’ interpretation of it. Jesus points out the actual intent of the Sabbath—to bring rest and well-being.

Matt. 12:9–10 heal on the Sabbath. The rabbis had many regulations that defined what “work” was prohibited on the Sabbath. These legalistic regulations were never God’s intent for the OT law. Jesus’ opponents believed that the Sabbath could be broken only in extreme cases of life and death.

Matt. 12:16 ordered them not to make him known. See note on 8:4; see 9:30; 16:20; 17:9.

Matt. 12:17 to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah. This introduces Matthew’s longest OT quotation, from Isa. 42:1–4. It comes from the “Servant Songs” (Isaiah 42–53). Depending on context, the “servant” represents either the nation of Israel or the gentle, Spirit-empowered, suffering servant, whose mission is to bring justice to the nations.

Matt. 12:18–20 my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved. The Father expresses this same delight in his Son at Jesus’ baptism (3:17) and at his transfiguration (17:5). he will proclaim justice. The servant pronounces judgment on the rulers who reject him. bruised reed . . . smoldering wick. Jesus the servant compassionately cares for those who have been abused (see 9:36; 11:28).

Matt. 12:23 Can this be the Son of David? See note on 9:27. The people thought of David as a warrior king. It was difficult for them to understand that this gentle healer could indeed be David’s promised Son.

Matt. 12:24 only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. See note on 10:25.

Matt. 12:25–26 Knowing their thoughts indicates Jesus knows all things. Therefore, he is to be recognized as God.

Matt. 12:27 your sons. Possibly associates or disciples of the Pharisees. The crowd’s amazement in Luke 4:36 indicates that Jesus’ divine power to cast out demons “with a word” (Matt. 8:16) was unprecedented.

Matt. 12:28 The kingdom of God is begun in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus exercises God’s kingdom power against Satan and his agents (see Eph. 6:10–20).

Matt. 12:29 Jesus had bound Satan, the strong man, making him powerless to prevent Jesus from proclaiming and demonstrating the good news of the kingdom. Satan’s house represents the sinful world over which Satan had power—until the coming of Christ. Jesus has come to plunder his house and rescue people for the kingdom of God (see Col. 1:13).

Matt. 12:31–32 blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. This “blasphemy” involves giving Satan credit for what is accomplished by God’s power, while persistently rejecting God and his commands. This sin is committed today only by unbelievers who permanently reject the Holy Spirit when he calls them to salvation. (See note on Luke 12:10.)

Matt. 12:36–37 the day of judgment. Christ’s second coming. by your words you will be justified. People’s words will be outward evidence of their inward character. “Justified” here means “shown to be righteous” rather than “declared righteous by God” (see notes on Gal. 2:16; James 2:21).

Matt. 12:38 a sign. Jesus had already performed many miracles (“signs”) that proved his messianic identity.

Matt. 12:39 Adulterous refers here to unfaithfulness to God. Jesus knows these opponents have harmful motives (see 16:1). Jonah’s rescue by God was a sign to the people of Nineveh that his message was from God. Jesus’ death and resurrection (see 12:40) will likewise be God’s sign to the present generation.

Matt. 12:40 Three days and three nights means the combination of any part of three separate days. Jesus was raised “in three days,” since he was buried Friday afternoon (day one), remained in the tomb Saturday (day two), and was resurrected Sunday morning (day three).

Matt. 12:42 queen of the South. The queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1–29). Sheba was most likely in southwestern Arabia, in present-day Yemen. Jesus claims that he is greater than the temple (Matt. 12:6), the prophet Jonah (v. 41), and the wise king Solomon. These represent the three greatest institutions in Israel—priest, prophet, and king.

Matt. 12:43 Demons were often associated with waterless places. Apparently deserts were thought of as lacking the blessing of God that came with rainfall and plentiful crops (see Jer. 17:6; 51:43).

Matt. 12:45 seven. Linked in Scripture with completion or perfection. Here perhaps it signifies the completeness of demon possession once the demon returns.

Matt. 12:46 mother and . . . brothers. There is no mention of “father,” which may indicate that Joseph had died by this time. Joseph is never mentioned after the trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was 12 (Luke 2:41–51). Jesus’ family may have been trying to “bring him to his senses” (compare Mark 3:21). As the eldest son, Jesus was responsible for the family’s care after Joseph’s death.

Matt. 12:49 Here are my mother and my brothers. Jesus’ messianic mission takes priority even over family loyalties.