Matthew 12 : 1 13 Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.

The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

Mat 12:1  About that time Jesus passed on the Sabbath through the wheatfields; and His disciples became hungry, and began to gather ears of wheat and eat them.

Mat 12:2  But the Pharisees saw it and said to Him, "Look! your disciples are doing what the Law forbids them to do on the Sabbath."

Mat 12:3  "Have you never read," He replied, "what David did when he and his men were hungry?

Mat 12:4  how he entered the House of God and ate the Presented Loaves, which it was not lawful for him or his men to eat, nor for any except the priests?

Mat 12:5  And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt?

Mat 12:6  But I tell you that there is here that which is greater than the Temple.

Mat 12:7  And if you knew what this means, 'IT IS MERCY I DESIRE, NOT SACRIFICE', you would not have condemned those who are without guilt.

Mat 12:8  For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath."

Mat 12:9  Departing thence He went to their synagogue,

Mat 12:10  where there was a man with a shrivelled arm. And they questioned Him, "Is it right to cure people on the Sabbath?" Their intention was to bring a charge against Him.

Mat 12:11  "Which of you is there," He replied, "who, if he has but a single sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?

Mat 12:12  Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is right to do good on the Sabbath."

Mat 12:13  Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your arm." And he stretched it out, and it was restored quite sound like the other.

Mat 12:14  But the Pharisees after leaving the synagogue consulted together against Him, how they might destroy Him.

Introduction

Jesus was very popular in the first days of His ministry because of the miracles He did and the Teaching that He gave such as the Sermon on the Mount Ch  5 - 7. The Jewish Leadership did not like what He was doing and He fell from favour. They came to oppose Him at every turn. This was what eventually lead to His Crucifixion.

Here we see their Opposition in the following incidents, Picking ears of wheat and eating them on the Sabbath and Jesus healing the man with the Withered Hand on the Sabbath..

Leon Morris says, “ We should not think that the Controversy arose because Jesus was trying to relieve people of the mass of regulations [about the Sabbath.].. Rather, He held that they had the wrong idea of the Sabbath altogether. It was a Day for honouring God, which meant doing good; this works of healing were not simply allowed; they were obligatory. It was a Day for refreshing people, for meeting their need. For the Pharisees it was a day for keeping regulations thta expressed their desire to honour God.

Mat 12:1  About that time Jesus passed on the Sabbath through the wheatfields; and His disciples became hungry, and began to gather ears of wheat and eat them

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Notes

This was the Sabbath day which meant a day of rest and worship.  The Jews and especially the Pharisees were very strict in Sabbath observance. This was the most important thing about the sabbath.  Matthew says the disciples were hungry. So they began to pluck some of the grain and to eat it. They were satisfying a genuine need and not deliberately breaking the Sabbath.

Mat 12:2  But the Pharisees saw it and said to Him, "Look! your disciples are doing what the Law forbids them to do on the Sabbath."

Notes:

But The Pharisees see this and complain to Jesus. Jesus was the Master and they were merely disciples so Jesus was responsible.

The Jews were so superstitious, concerning the observance of the Sabbath, that in their wars with Antiochus Epiphanes, and the Romans, they thought it a crime even to attempt to defend themselves on the Sabbath: when their enemies observed this, they deterred their operations to that day. It was through this, that Pompey was enabled to take Jerusalem.

Those who know not the spirit and design of the divine law are often superstitious to inhumanity, and indulgent to impiety. An intolerant and censorious spirit in religion is one of the greatest curses a man can well fall under.A.Clark

Mat 12:3  "Have you never read," He replied, "what David did when he and his men were hungry?

Mat 12:4  how he entered the House of God and ate the Presented Loaves, which it was not lawful for him or his men to eat, nor for any except the priests?

Notes:

"Have you never read," Shows them the Scripture which they had read but never perceived the true spirit of the Word of God.

Barnes Notes: To vindicate his disciples, he referred them to a similar case, recorded in the Old Testament, and therefore one with which they ought to have been acquainted. This was the case of David. The law commanded that twelve loaves of bread should be laid on the table in the holy place in the tabernacle, to remain a week, and then to be eaten by the “priests only.” Their place was then supplied by fresh “bread.” This was called the “showbread,” Lev_24:5-9. David, fleeing before Saul, weary and hungry, had come to Ahimelech the priest; had found only this bread; had asked it of him, and had eaten it contrary to the “letter” of the law, 1Sa_21:1-7. David, among the Jews, had high authority. This act had passed uncondemned. It proved that in “cases of necessity the laws did not bind a man” - a principle which all laws admit. So the “necessity” of the disciples justified them in doing on the Sabbath what would have been otherwise unlawful.

Mat 12:5  And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt?

Notes:

Break or Profane the Sabbath - He referred them to the conduct of the priests also. On the Sabbath days they were engaged, as well as on other days, in killing beasts for sacrifice, Num_28:9-10. Two lambs were killed on the Sabbath, in addition to the daily sacrifice. The priests must be engaged in killing them, and making fires to burn them in sacrifice, whereas to kindle a fire was expressly forbidden the Jews on the Sabbath, Exo_35:3. They did that which, for other persons to do, would have been “profaning” the Sabbath. Yet they were blameless. They did what was necessary and commanded. This was done in the very temple, too, the place of holiness, where the law should be most strictly observed.

Mat 12:6  But I tell you that there is here that which is greater than the Temple.

Notes

One greater than the temple - Here the Saviour refers to himself, and to his own dignity and power. “I have power over the laws; I can grant to my disciples a dispensation from those laws. An act which I command or permit them to do is therefore right.” This proves that he was divine. None but God can authorize people to do a thing contrary to the divine laws. He refers them again Mat_12:7 to a passage he had before quoted (See the notes at Mat_9:13), showing that God preferred acts of righteousness, rather than a precise observance of a ceremonial law.

Mark adds Mar_2:27 “the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”

Mat 12:7  And if you knew what this means, 'IT IS MERCY I DESIRE, NOT SACRIFICE', you would not have condemned those who are without guilt.

Notes

I will have mercy, etc. - See this explained, Mat_9:13.

There are four ways in which positive laws may cease to oblige.

First, by the natural law of necessity.

Secondly, by a particular law, which is superior.

Thirdly, by the law of charity and mercy.

Fourthly, by the dispensation and authority of the Lawgiver.

These cases are all exemplified from Mat_12:4-8. A.C.

Mat 12:8  For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath."

Notes

For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day - To crown all, Christ says that he was Lord of the Sabbath. He had a right to direct the manner of its observance - undoubted proof that He is divine.

READ “What day is the Sabbath, Saturday or Sunday? Do Christians have to observe the Sabbath day?

http://www.gotquestions.org/Saturday-Sunday.html

Matthew 11 25 - 30 Rest for the Weary.

God is pleased to reveals theses things to little children who are willing to Learn.

Mat 11:25  About that time Jesus exclaimed, "I heartily praise Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from sages and men of discernment, and hast unveiled them to babes.

Mat 11:26  Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will.

Mat 11:27  "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one fully knows the Son except the Father, nor does any one fully know the Father except the Son and all to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

Mat 11:28  "Come to me, all you toiling and burdened ones, and *I* will give you rest.

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Mat 11:30  For it is good to bear my yoke, and my burden is light."

True disciples of Jesus have the great Truths of the Kingdom of God revealed to them because they are humble and willing to receive instructions from the Lord. They are not still living in rebellion, pride and EGOCENTRISM. Jesus calls them ‘babes or little children’ because of their openness to obey instructions.

Mat 11:25  About that time Jesus exclaimed, "I heartily praise Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from sages and men of discernment, and hast unveiled them to babes.

Notes

I thank thee - Εξομολογουμαι σοι, I fully agree with thee - I am perfectly of the same mind. Thou hast acted in all things according to the strictest holiness, justice, mercy, and truth.

Wise and prudent - The scribes and Pharisees, vainly puffed up by their fleshly minds, and having their foolish hearts darkened, refusing to submit to the righteousness of God (God’s method of saving man by Christ) and going about to establish their own righteousness, (their own method of saving themselves), they rejected God’s counsel, and God sent the peace and salvation of the Gospel to others, called here babes, (his disciples), simple-hearted persons, who submitted to be instructed and saved in God’s own way. Let it be observed, that our Lord does not thank the Father that he had hidden these things from the wise and prudent, but that, seeing they were hidden from them, he had revealed them to the others. A. Clark

Mat 11:26  Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will.

The reason given, the only satisfactory reason, is, that it so seemed good in the sight of God. In this the Saviour agreed, saying, “Even so, Father;” and in the dealings of God it is proper that all should accept. “Such is the will of God” is often the only explanation which can be offered in regard to the various events which happen to us on earth. “Such is the will of God” is the only account which can be given of the reason of the dispensations of His grace. Our understanding is often confounded. We are unsuccessful in all our efforts at explanation. Our philosophy fails, and all that we can say is, “Even so, Father; for so it seems good to thee.” And this is enough. That God does a thing, is, after all, the best reason which we “can” have that it is right. Barnes

Mat 11:27  "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one fully knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone fully know the Father except the Son and all to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

Notes:

"All things have been handed over to me by my Father….” Our Lord Jesus Christ has been given all authority in Heaven and on earth. Matthew 28: 18. He has been made King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

See Joh_3:35; Joh_6:46; Joh_10:15; Col_1:16-17. It means that Christ has control over all things for the good of his church; that the government of the universe is committed to him “as Mediator,” that he may redeem his people and guide them to glory, Eph_1:20-22.

Eph 1:20  when He displayed it in Christ by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His own right hand in the heavenly realms,

Eph 1:21  high above all other government and authority and power and dominion, and every title of sovereignty used either in this Age or in the Age to come.

Eph 1:22  God has put all things under His feet, and has appointed Him universal and supreme Head of the Church, which is His Body,

The Labouring, Tired, and  Burdened are given Rest for their Souls.

Mat 11:28  "Come to me, all you toiling and burdened ones, and *I* will give you rest.

Notes

All ye that labour and are heavy laden - The Saviour here, perhaps, refers primarily to the Jews, who groaned under the weight of their ceremonial laws and the traditions of the elders, Act_15:10. He tells them that by coming to him, and embracing the new system of religion, they would be freed from these burdensome rites and ceremonies.

There can be no doubt, however, that he meant here chiefly to address the poor, lost, ruined sinner: the man “burdened” with a consciousness of his transgressions, trembling at his danger, and seeking deliverance. For such there is relief. Christ tells them to come to him, to believe in him, and to trust him, and him only, for salvation. Doing this, he will give them rest - rest from their sins, from the alarms of conscience, from the terrors of the law, and from the fears of eternal death.

I remember a muslim man saying to me please let me go and do my gymnastics. He saw all the ritual praying as so much physical activity and a great burden every day. God does not accept us because of the number of times we pray a day nor the position of our hands when we pray nor our feet and our bodies. God hears us because we put our faith in Him and obey Him. We can commune with Him while lying on our beds.

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Notes:

Take my yoke - This is a figure taken from the use of oxen, and hence signifying to labor for one, or in the service of anyone. The “yoke” is used in the Bible as an emblem:

(1) of bondage or slavery, Lev_26:13; Deu_28:38.

(2) of afflictions or crosses, Lam_3:27.

(3) of the punishment of sin, Lam_1:14,

(4) of the commandments of God.

(5) of legal ceremonies, Act_15:10; Gal_5:1.

It refers here to the religion of the Redeemer; and the idea is, that they should embrace his system of religion and obey him. All virtue and all religion imply “restraint” - the restraint of our bad passions and inclinations - and subjection to laws; and the Saviour here means to say that the restraints and laws of his religion are mild, and gentle, and easy. Let anyone compare them with the burdensome and expensive ceremonies of the Jews (see Act_15:10), or with the religious rites of the pagan everywhere, or with the requirements of the Popish system, and he will see how true it is that Jesus’ yoke is easy. And let his laws and requirements be compared with the laws which sin imposes on its votaries - the laws of fashion, and honor, and sensuality - and he will feel that religion is “freedom,” Joh_8:36. “He is a freeman whom the truth makes free, and all are slaves besides.” It is “easier” to be a Christian than a sinner; and of all the yokes ever imposed on people, that of the Redeemer is the lightest.Barnes

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For I am meek ... - See the notes at Mat_5:5. This was eminently Christ’s personal character. But this is not its meaning here. He is giving a reason why they should embrace his religion. That was, that he was not harsh, overbearing, and oppressive, like the Pharisees, but meek, mild, and gentle in his government. His laws were reasonable and tender, and it would be easy to obey him. Barnes

Mat 11:30  For it is good to bear my yoke, and my burden is light."

Notes

For My Yoke is easy

My Gospel imposes nothing that is difficult; on the contrary, it provides for the complete removal of all that which oppresses and renders man miserable, viz. sin. The commandments of Christ are not grievous. Hear the whole: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself. Can anything be more congenial to the nature of man than love? - such a love as is inspired by God, and in which the soul rests supremely satisfied and infinitely happy? A. Clark

my burden is light.

Christ’s burden is a light burden

I. In what it consists.

1. In the daily conflict which the Christian maintains with the sin that dwelleth in him.

2. In the hostile treatment which the Christian experiences from the world.

3. In the chastening which the Christian receives from his heavenly Master.

II. It is light.

1. It is light compared with the burden of the unpardoned sin in another world.

2. It is light compared with the burden of unpardoned sin in this world.

3. It is made light in itself to those who bear it; strength is given to bear it. (E. Cooper.)

Matthew 11: 20 - 24 Woe to Unrepentant Cities.

Denunciation of the Cities in which most of His Miracles were performed.

Mat 11:20  Then He began to upbraid the cities in which most of His mighty works were done, because they did not repent.

Mat 11:21  Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful acts which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes!

Mat 11:22  But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.

Mat 11:23  And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to the heaven, shall be brought down to hell. For if the mighty works which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Mat 11:24  But I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.MKJV

Introduction

Jesus Speaks of the Eternal Consequences for some of the cities where he had done His Mighty Miracles but they had not REPENTED. I is very Important how we respond to what the Lord has shown us. Even cities notorious for doing evil will be better off in the judgment than the cities that fail to respond to Jesus and His Mighty Works.

Mat 11:20  Then He began to upbraid the cities in which most of His mighty works were done, because they did not repent.

Notes

upbraid G3679 ὀνειδέζω oneidezō

Thayer Definition: 1) to reproach, upbraid, revile 1a) of deserved reproach 1b) of undeserved reproach, to revile 1c) to upbraid, cast (favours received) in one’s teeth

in which most of His mighty works were done,

The more God has done to draw men unto himself, the less excusable are they if they continue in iniquity. If our blessed Lord had not done every thing that was necessary for the salvation of these people, he could not have reproached them for their impenitence.

Mat 11:21  Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful acts which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes!

Plain of Bethsaida

The northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee is a fertile plain where the feeding of the 5,000 likely took place.  Israeli maps and excavators currently locate the New Testament city of Bethsaida at an ancient ruin known as "et-Tell."  The excavation team, headed by Rami Arav, is insistent that this site be identified with ancient Bethsaida.  Others suggest that Bethsaida may be better located at el-Araj near the lakeshore. Wikipedia.com

Notes

Woe G3759  οὐαί ouai Thayer Definition: 1) alas, woe

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! — not elsewhere mentioned, but it must have lain near Capernaum.

woe unto thee, Bethsaida — “fishing-house,” a fishing station - on the western side of the Sea of Galilee, and to the north of Capernaum; the birthplace of three of the apostles - the brothers Andrew and Peter, and Philip. These two cities appear to be singled out to denote the whole region in which they lay - a region favored with the Redeemer’s presence, teaching, and works above every other.

for if the mighty works — the miracles

which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon — ancient and celebrated commercial cities, on the northeastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, lying north of Palestine, and the latter the northernmost. As their wealth and prosperity engendered luxury and its concomitant evils - irreligion and moral degeneracy - their overthrow was repeatedly foretold in ancient prophecy, and once and again fulfilled by victorious enemies. Yet they were rebuilt, and at this time were in a flourishing condition.

they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes — remarkable language, showing that they had done less violence to conscience, and so, in God’s sight, were less criminal than the region here spoken of.

Port of Tyre today

Mat 11:22  But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.

Notes

It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.

Reader! in the view of Chorazin and Bethsaida, and the awful woe pronounced upon those cities, which had been favoured with such high privileges, and regarded them not, think what will be the final condemnation of Great Britain in this particular? Would Jesus find faith, real saving faith, were he now to come among us? It is an awful thought! Luk_18:8; Mat_7:22-23; Heb_2:3.Hawker

Mat 11:23  And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to the heaven, shall be brought down to hell. For if the mighty works which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

The Ruins of the Synagogue at Capernaum

Notes

And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to the heaven, shall be brought down to hell.

Capernaum had been filled with people carrying their sick to the feet of Jesus and He healed them all. The Blind, the Lame and the deaf and the diseased were all cured. The demoniacs delivered and the dead raised to life again.

Which art exalted to heaven - Barnes This is an expression used to denote great privileges. He meant that they were especially favored with instruction. The city was prosperous. It was signally favored by its wealth. Most of all, it was signally favored by the presence, the preaching, and the miracles of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here he spent a large portion of his time in the early part of his ministry, and in Capernaum and its neighborhood he performed his chief miracles.

Shalt be brought down to hell - This does not mean that all the people would go to hell, but that the city which had flourished so prosperously would lose its prosperity, and occupy the “lowest place” among cities. The word “hell” is used here, not to denote a place of punishment in the future world, but a state of “desolation and destructions.” It stands in contrast with the word “heaven.” Barnes

If the mighty works ...had been done in Sodom - See the notes at Mat_10:15. Sodom was destroyed on account of its great wickedness. Christ says if his miracles had been performed there, they would have repented, and consequently the city would not have been destroyed. As it was, it would be better for Sodom in the day of judgment than for Capernaum, for its inhabitants would not be called to answer for the abuse of so great privileges.

Mat 11:24  But I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.

Notes

Question: "What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah?"

Answer: The biblical account of Sodom and Gomorrah is recorded in Genesis chapters 18-19. Genesis chapter 18 records the Lord and two angels coming to speak with Abraham. The Lord informed Abraham that "the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous." Verses 22-33 record Abraham pleading with the Lord to have mercy on Sodom and Gomorrah because Abraham's nephew, Lot, and his family lived in Sodom.

Genesis chapter 19 records the two angels, disguised as human men, visiting Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot met the angels in the city square and urged them to stay at his house. The angels agreed. The Bible then informs us, "Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom — both young and old — surrounded the house. They called to Lot, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.'" The angels then proceed to blind all the men of Sodom and Gomorrah and urge Lot and his family to flee from the cities to escape the wrath that God was about to deliver. Lot and his family flee the city, and then "the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah — from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities..."

In light of the passage, the most common response to the question "What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah?" is that it was homosexuality. Gotquestions.com

But I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.

But - it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom - Γη Σοδομων, the land of the Sodomites; i.e. the ancient inhabitants of that city and its neighborhood.

In Jude, Jud_1:7, we are told that these persons are suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah happened A. M. 2107, which was 1897 years before the incarnation. What a terrible thought is this! It will be more tolerable for certain sinners, who have already been damned nearly four thousand years, than for those who, live and die infidels under the Gospel! There are various degrees of punishments in hell, answerable to various degrees of guilt, and the contempt manifested to, and the abuse made of; the preaching of the Gospel, will rank semi-infidel Christians in the highest list of transgressors, and purchase them the hottest place in hell! Great God! save the reader from this destruction!

Day of judgment - May either refer to that particular time in which God visits for iniquity, or to that great day in which he will judge the world by the Lord Jesus Christ. The day of Sodom’s judgment was that in which it was destroyed by fire and brimstone from heaven, Gen_19:24; and the day of judgment to Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, was the time in which they were destroyed by the Romans, Mat_11:23. But there is a day of final judgment, when Hades itself, (sinners in a state of partial punishment in the invisible world) shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death. See Rev_20:14.

What Privileges have been ours as a society and now we have turned away from our Moral Moorings and gone into all sorts of debauchery and wickedness. Isn't this Scripture a warning to us as a People.