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Matthew Chapter
Twelve
I.
Content of the Chapter
The King is Lord of the Sabbath
I. He is the reality of the Sabbath:
A. Men were filled by Him (v.1-8).
B. He healed the sick man (v.9-21).
C. He cast out unclean spirits (v.22).
II. The Lord’s authority on the Sabbath
(v.23-37).
III. The Lord’s identity on the Sabbath:
A. He is greater than
Jonah (v.38-41).
B. He is greater than
Solomon (v.42-45).
IV. Men’s relationship with lord of the
Sabbath (v.46-50).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Matt. 12:1 “At that time Jesus went
through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry
and
began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.”
YLT: “At that time did
Jesus go on the sabbaths through the corn
and his disciples were hungry
and
they began to pluck ears
and to eat
”
The
Background: “Sabbath” is the
seventh day in a week. It is the present Saturday. It is from the sunset on
Friday to the sunset the next day. God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it
(Gen. 2:3). The
According to the Law of Moses
they may
plunk ears with their hands and eat (Deut. 23:25). However
it is not expressly
stipulated in writing that whether it is permitted to do it on the Sabbath. A
statement was said that the Pharisees opposed that the disciples of the Lord
should not rub the ears in their hands instead of plunking the ears because
rubbing the ears is accounted as doing work which profanes the regulations of
the Sabbath.
Literal Meaning: “at that time” is
the time when the Lord called men to come and find rest (Matt. 11:28).
Spiritual Meaning: “At that time Jesus went
through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry
and began
to pluck heads of grain and to eat.”
Normally
men should have rest on the Sabbath. However
the disciples were
“hungry” on the Sabbath
showing that they do not have rest on the Sabbath.
This is a picture
showing that men under religious regulations do not have
true rest. The Lord Jesus led His disciples to go through the grainfields on
the Sabbath and allowed them to “plunk ears with hands and to eat”
with the
purpose of guiding the religious believers to know and turn to Him------the
reality of the type in the Old Testament (Col. 2:16-17).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Men are not filled and therefore they do not
have rest. If men want to have rest
they have to enjoy Christ as their bread
of life (John. 6:35).
2) “Grain” is the type of Christ. After Christ had
gone through tribulations and sufferings for us
He becomes our enjoyment.
3) Only the hungry will be filled with the good
things (Luke. 1:53). Only when we have spiritual hunger can we be filled by the
Lord.
4) Christ is the first grain of wheat and we who
have received grace are the much fruit (John. 12:24)
therefore the assembly is
“the grainfields”. If the assembly only pays attention to regulations and
ceremonies
probably everyone will suffer hunger. Christ is the most important
in the assembly. We should follow the Lord however He guides.
Matt. 12:2 “And when the Pharisees
saw it
they said to Him
‘Look
Your disciples are
doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!’”
YLT: “and the Pharisees
having seen
said to him
`Lo
thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to
do on a sabbath.’”
The
Background: The Pharisees
stressed on keeping the Sabbath so strictly that they even found fault with
others. They added many unnecessary and overelaborate formalities which were
not in the Law of Moses to the Sabbath and forced others to keep.
Spiritual Meaning: “the Pharisees” symbolizes the religious believers
who keep the regulations in the Bible. They stressed on the regulations that do
not handle
do not taste and do not touch (Col. 2:21) but neglected the real
purpose of God for giving them these regulations.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) To the hungry disciples
the regulation “don’t
do any work on the Sabbath” is a burden. Even if they keep the form of the
Sabbath
the reality of the Sabbath is lost.
2) The Pharisees only emphasize on whether men keep
the regulations on the Sabbath and neglect whether men have rest on the
Sabbath. Today Christians who pay attention to the appearance are still more
than those who stress on the inner reality.
3) The Pharisees queried the Lord Jesus for
regulations------the moment men are in the state of stressing on the
appearance
they will stand on the position that is against the Lord.
Matt. 12:3 “But He said to them
"Have you not read what David did when he was hungry
he and those who
were with him:”
YLT: “And he said to
them
`Did ye not read what David did
when he was hungry
himself and those
with him”
Spiritual Meaning: “David” is the type
of Christ. “Those who were with him” are the type of the disciples.
“David” was the key person from the age
of priests to the age of kings in the history of the Old Testament. By this the
Lord shows that He is the “true David”. He the true David has come and the age
will change.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When reading the Bible
we should pay attention
to the epochal character of the things illustrated in the Bible. For example
believers in the New Testament do not need to keep the law of sacrifice and the
costume of the priests (many ways in the Roman Catholic Church are to bring the
Old Testament into the New Testament).
2) In the beginning of the New Testament
spiritual
gifts such as “tongue-speaking” and “divine healing” are in vogue. However in
the last phase of the age of the Apostles
these were rarely recorded. It shows
that these spiritual gifts had the dispensational need. If believers in last
time return to seek these Charismatic gifts
we overlook the epochal character
of spiritual things. (Editorial Note: this doesn’t mean that there are no
spiritual gifts today. It means that we do not need to seek for Charismatic
gifts urgently because spiritual gifts are divided to each in particular
according as the Holy Spirit pleases. 1Cor. 12:11)
Matt. 12:4 “how he entered the house
of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat
nor for those
who were with him
but only for the priests?”
YLT: “how he went into
the house of God
and the loaves of the presentation did eat
which it is not
lawful to him to eat
nor to those with him
except to the priests alone?”
The
Background: according to the
regulations of the Law of Moses
only the priests could eat “the showbread” in
the
Spiritual Meaning: David and his
followers ate the showbread and they had not been condemned by God because
David had changed the age from the age of priests to the age of kings.
This verse shows that the Lord “the true
David” had come and the age was changed from the age of the law of the Old
Testament to the age of the grace of the New Testament. In the New Testament
men do not keep the Sabbath.
“The showbread” is the type of Christ as
our enjoyment of life.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The regulations and ceremonies in the Old
Testament have the character of the transition of ages. They are a shadow of
things to come
but the body of Christ (Col. 2:17). Believers in the New
Testament do not need to obey the regulations and ceremonies since we have
already obtained Christ.
2) On the premise that we do not commit sins or
offend against morality
believers should have expedient measures if they are
needed in following or serving the Lord.
3) What’s important in the conducts of believers is
never leaving the Lord all the time (following the Lord). As long as we walk
with the Lord in His presence
nothing could bind us.
4) The true Sabbath is not obeying the dead
regulations but living under the full provision of Christ------if we are filled
full
we will naturally have rest.
Matt. 12:5 “Or have you not read in
the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath
and
are blameless?”
YLT: “`Or did ye not read
in the Law
that on the sabbaths the priests in the temple do profane the
sabbath
and are blameless?”
Literal Meaning: priest should
sacrifice on the Sabbath (Num. 28:9-10). Though sacrificing is also doing the
work
it is done in the temple and therefore even if the priests in the temple
profane the Sabbath
they are blameless. It shows that “the temple” is greater
than “the Sabbath”.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Priests work in the temple on the Sabbath and
they are blameless. Today we are all priests and serving the Lord in the assembly.
We are contrarily full of rest.
2) Priests are allowed to profane the regulations
in the temple for the need of service
showing that we have some special rights
in serving the Lord.
3) The Lord Jesus
the priest became higher than
the heavens (Heb. 7:26). Whatever He does is acceptable to God. As long as we
do everything in Him
the things we do will be acceptable to God.
4)
5) The Sabbath is set to give men rest. If the
priests do not sacrifice to God
the problem of sins will not be solved and
there will not be rest. Therefore sacrificing is more important than the
Sabbath. Inner reality is more important than regulations.
6) The reason why men do not have rest is that God
does not have rest. Wherever there are sins
there won’t be rest there.
7) What God vales is the real rest. The spiritual
appearance without spiritual reality does not accord with the will of God.
Matt. 12:6 “Yet I say to you that in
this place there is One greater than the temple.”
YLT: “and I say to you
that a greater than the temple is here;”
Meaning of Words: “greater”: greater
in volume and size.
Spiritual Meaning: “the temple”
typifies the abundance of Christ and His infinite provision.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christ is the greater temple. When we are in
Christ
we have been delivered from the binding of the law because we are
justified by faith in Christ not by works of the law (Gal. 2:16).
2) The Lord is the greater temple. The Lord Himself
is filled with glory of God and everything He does is for God’s glory. Any work
believers do in Him is to glorify God.
3) Anyone who abides in the Lord will be filled at
all times from Him.
Matt. 12:7 “But if you had known what
this means
‘I desire mercy and not
sacrifice
' you would not have condemned the guiltless.”
YLT: “and if ye had known
what is: Kindness I will
and not sacrifice ye had not condemned the
blameless
”
Literal Meaning: “I desire mercy and
not sacrifice.” “Mercy” means that God gives to men. “Sacrifice” means that men
give to God (Hos. 6:6). Therefore it means that God loves to give to men and do
for men and He does not like provisions and services that are of men (the true
service is initiated by God).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord does not want to “gain” but to “give”.
He does not want to “keep the bread” but to “break the bread”.
2) Men are so easy to stick to letters and articles
but lose the spiritual reality.
3) The righteous God is “merciful”. He likes us to
treat others just as the way He treats us.
4) We should show “mercy” to others’ pain and need.
We should not neglect others’ needs in excuse of reasons.
Matt. 12:8 “For the Son of Man is
Lord even of the Sabbath.’”
YLT: “for the son of man
is lord even of the sabbath.’”
Literal Meaning: the Lord Jesus is
“lord even of the Sabbath”
indicating that He has the right to manage the
Sabbath and He is the one who gives men rest. He loves to give men rest and He
does not like men to be restrained by the regulations of the Sabbath.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Since the Lord is “lord even of the Sabbath”
the standard is His words. Whether something is permitted to do or not on the
Sabbath depends on Him.
2) Those that work for the lord of the Sabbath is
not under the law of the Sabbath.
3) Christ is lord even of the Sabbath. When we have
Him
we have true rest. Everyday is the Sabbath
as it were. And therefore we
do not need to keep the regulations of the Sabbath.
4) Today the problem is whether men receive the
Lord instead of whether the day is the Sabbath.
Matt. 12:9 “Now when He had departed
from there
He went into their synagogue.”
YLT: “And having departed
thence
he went to their synagogue
”
Spiritual Meaning: “synagogue”
symbolizes all the religions represented by Judaism.
Matt. 12:10 “And behold
there was a
man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him
saying
"Is it lawful to
heal on the Sabbath?"--that they might accuse Him.”
YLT: “and lo
there was a
man having the hand withered
and they questioned him
saying
`Is it lawful to
heal on the sabbaths?` that they might accuse him.”
The Background:
rabbis of Judaism forbade men to “heal on
the Sabbath” because they held that healing went against the regulation that
men should not do any work on the Sabbath.
Spiritual Meaning: “a man who had a
withered hand.” “Hand” stands for service. “Withered” shows it lacks the vigor
of life. It is like a picture
showing that though men in religion want to do
something for God
they could do nothing for God actually.
“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
Sabbath was originally for men to have rest. However
here men were sick on the
Sabbath and it was not lawful to be healed
indicating that men in religion
only have the appearance of the Sabbath instead of the reality of the Sabbath.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If our service (hand) is done according to ways
and doctrines rather than the guidance and movements of the Holy Spirit
it is
the “withered” service.
2) If the assembly lacks provision of life
it
lacks the power of service. If the assembly in which you are lacks members of
service (“a withered hand”)
it shows that something is wrong in the provision
of life. Therefore we should improve this problem from its root by more
positive provisions.
Matt. 12:11 “Then He said to them
"What man is there among you who has one sheep
and if it falls into a pit
on the Sabbath
will not lay hold of it and lift it out?”
YLT: “And he said to
them
`What man shall be of you
who shall have one sheep
and if this may fall
on the sabbaths into a ditch
will not lay hold on it and raise [it]?”
Spiritual Meaning: “What man is there
among you who has one sheep
and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath
”
“Sheep” symbolizes men who are of the Lord. “Pit” symbolizes the trouble caused
by the misuses of the law by religious believers (See Matt. 15:14). The Law was
originally to bring us unto Christ (Gal. 3:24). Unexpectedly
religious
believers fall into “pit” of the law and are restrained by the regulations of
the law.
Matt. 12:12 “Of how much more value
then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.’”
YLT: “How much better
therefore
is a man than a sheep? so that it is lawful on the sabbaths to do
good.’”
Literal Meaning: When a sheep fall
into the pit on the Sabbath
though its life is not in danger
men cannot bear
to sit by idly and remain indifferent
much less the more precious men. Aren’t
men more worthy to be saved on the Sabbath?
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Sabbath is made on account of man
not man
on account of the Sabbath. The Lord values men above all.
2) If we work for Christ
we “do good” and
therefore we do not need to keep the regulations of the Sabbath.
Matt. 12:13 “Then He said to the man
"Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out
and it was restored
as whole as the other.”
YLT: “Then saith he to
the man
`Stretch forth thy hand
’ and he stretched [it] forth
and it was
restored whole as the other.”
Meaning of Words: “restored” is made
up of two words in original: recover (return to the original condition
and
reconstitute) (the first word) and healthy (sound and well-healed) (the second
word).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The words which the Lord has spoken unto us are
spirit and are life (John. 6:63). If we receive the Lord’s words
trust and
obey His words
we will obtain the healing of life.
2) Nothing shall be impossible with God (Luke.
1:37). When the Lord gives the word
He will assuredly give power to men to
obey His words.
3) The man with a withered hand was not willing to
stretch his hand out before men------men do not like to show their shortcomings
to others------however the moment the Lord’s words was manifested (“stretch out
your hand”)
his hand was restored.
4) “It was restored” shows that the Lord’s healing
is perfect. The Lord works in us and enables us to be restored and in
accordance with the will of God.
Matt. 12:14 “Then the Pharisees went
out and plotted against Him
how they might destroy Him.”
YLT: “And the Pharisees
having gone forth
held a consultation against him
how they might destroy
him
”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Pharisees wanted to kill the holy one of God
indeed in order to maintain the regulations of the law. Many Christians who are
fervent in doctrines always do not hesitate to get into a fight in order to
maintain the doctrines.
2) Religious believers are only fervent in the
words and letters of the law and neglect the truth and reality of the law
so
that they even think to render service to God to kill others (John. 16:2).
Matt. 12:15 “But when Jesus knew it
He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him
and He healed them
all.”
YLT: “and Jesus having
known
withdrew thence
and there followed him great multitudes
and he healed
them all
”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Anyone who only seeks the appearance instead of
the reality cannot obtain the Lord’s presence (“He withdrew from there”).
Anyone who seeks the Lord and follows the Lord will receive the Lord’s
providence and healing.
2) What the Lord minds is that men’s disease need
to be healed. The Lord does not care whether men walk according to regulations.
Matt. 12:16 “Yet He warned them not to
make Him known
”
YLT: “and did charge them
that they might not make him manifest
”
Literal Meaning: For He knew what is
in men (John. 2:23-25). Anyone who comes to the Lord for fame and curiosity is
not reliable.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The world seeks after fame and position
however
the Lord’s workers should not care glory or dishonor. It is as unknown and well
known (2Cor. 6:8-9).
2) Anyone who comes because of respect for the fame
may not be reliable. Most of those who rush to hear the preaching of some
famous preachers like a swarm of bees are out of curiosity instead of the true
longing for the preaching.
3) If the assembly is built up in the fame of
preachers
once the preachers depart or pass away
the assembly will become
desolate immediately.
Matt. 12:17 “that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet
saying:”
YLT: “that it might be
fulfilled that was spoken through Isaiah the prophet
saying
”
Literal Meaning: the words below from
v.18 to v.21 are quoted from Is. 42:1 to Is. 42:4. Isaiah’s prophecies here
were said about the Lord Jesus (See Acts. 8:30-35). The Lord Jesus is the
fulfillment and reality of this section of prophecies.
Matt. 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 will declare justice to the Gentiles.”
YLT: “`Lo
My servant
whom I did choose
My beloved
in whom My soul did delight
I will put My
Spirit upon him
and judgment to the nations he shall declare
”
Literal Meaning: “Behold” means that
it needs to be paid special attention to. “Have chosen” means the aspect of
God’s will. “Beloved” means His place before God. “Is well pleased” means the
aspect of God’s feeling.
Spiritual Meaning: this verse predicts
that the Lord Jesus is God’s beloved Son
in whom God has found His delight
(Matt. 3:17). He was born of Spirit and full of Spirit (Matt. 3:16). He was
sent as God’s servant to guide those who did not know God originally into the
truth by the Holy Spirit (John. 16:13).
“He will declare justice to the
Gentiles.” It typifies that God’s righteousness will be known and understood by
the Gentiles through the glad tidings of Christ.
Matt. 12:19 “He will not quarrel nor
cry out
Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.”
YLT: “he shall not strive
nor cry
nor shall any hear in the broad places his voice
”
Spiritual Meaning: this verse predicts
the meekness of the Lord Jesus------He never cries out to draw others’
attention and quarrels in arguments.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers should walk in wisdom towards those
without and let their word always with grace
seasoned with salt (Col. 4:5-6).
2) Believers should not have disputes of words
because it is profitable for nothing
but to the subversion of the hearers
(2Tim. 2:14).
Matt. 12:20 “A bruised reed He will
not break
And smoking flax He will not quench
Till He sends forth justice to
victory;”
YLT: “a bruised reed he
shall not break
and smoking flax he shall not quench
till he may put forth
judgment to victory
”
Meaning of Words: “flax”: the
firebrand made by flax.
The
Background: the Jews usually use
reeds to make flutes and when the reed is bruised and unable to pipe
they will
break it and throw it away. They also use flax to make firebrands. They pour
oil on it
stir it up and it shines. They use it to illuminate in walking and
when the oil is burnt up
the flax will be smoking and won’t shine any more.
Then men directly quench it.
Literal Meaning: “A bruised reed” is
unable to ripe; “The smoking flax” is unable to shine.
Spiritual Meaning: “A bruised reed He
will not break
and smoking flax He will not quench.” typifies that He never
treats those who are weak and bruised with the scornful or disdainful attitude.
“Till He sends forth justice to victory”
typifies that the Lord Jesus bears the mission to guide men into the truth. He
persists in this and never stops short of the goal. Ultimately He will
overcome.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord Jesus always mends broken lives (See
v.15).
2) Though we are not useful in His hands
He is
merciful and never forsakes us.
3) In the assembly
many Saints are “the bruised
reed”s and “the smoking flax”s. We should let this mind be in us which also in
Christ Jesus (Pill. 2:5) and should not destroy them. We should cherish them.
4) The “smoking” Christians who lack the Holy
Spirit cannot help others to see
on the contrary
they make others not to see.
To those believers who are easy to cause trouble
we should forgive them in
love and we should not spurn them.
Matt. 12:21 “And in His name Gentiles
will trust.’”
YLT: “and in his name
shall nations hope.’”
Literal Meaning: “Gentiles” were
mentioned twice in this section of prophecies (See v.18)
showing that He will
turn to countries and seek those who truly receive the Lord because God’s
people rejected the Lord Jesus.
Matt. 12:22 “Then one was brought to
Him who was demon-possessed
blind and mute; and He healed him
so that the
blind and mute man both spoke and saw.”
YLT: “Then was brought to
him a demoniac
blind and dumb
and he healed him
so that the blind and dumb
both spake and saw.”
Spiritual Meaning: “then one was
brought to Him who was demon-possessed
blind and mute.” He represents all
those who are under the power of darkness and couldn’t see God and things of
God (blind) or speak for God (mute).
“He healed him
so that the blind and
mute man both spoke and saw.” The salvation of the Lord Jesus enables us to
turn from darkness to light (Acts. 26:18) and to depart from the dumb idols
(1Cor. 12:2).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord opens the eyes of our hearts and
enables us to know God and things of God. He also opens our mute mouths to pray
to God and praise God.
2) Christ had dealt with the adversary the devil
with His overcoming power and brings human beings into true rest. Anyone that
does not let Christ reign absolutely ------no matter the individual or
body------could not have rest. Anyone who magnify Christ as the lead and obey
Him completely will find true rest.
Matt. 12:23 “And all the multitudes
were amazed and said
‘Could this be the Son of
David?’”
YLT: “And all the
multitudes were amazed
and said
`Is this the Son of David?’”
Literal Meaning: it means “not this
is the Son of David” (in original). This word contains their homage towards the
Lord.
Matt. 12:24 “Now when the Pharisees
heard it they said
‘This fellow does not cast
out demons except by Beelzebub
the ruler of the demons.’”
YLT: “but the Pharisees
having heard
said
`This one doth not cast out demons
except by Beelzeboul
ruler of the demons.`”
Literal Meaning: the Pharisees
refused to confess that the Lord Jesus is from God (John. 9:16). However
they
could not deny the fact that He cast out demons. Therefore they slandered Him
and said that He cast out demons by the ruler of the demons.
“Beelzebub” is the Baal-zebub
the god
of Ekron (2Kings. 1:2). The Jews changed its voice to call “Beelzebub” and it
means “the king of dunghill”. It also means “the king of house” because the
devil possesses men
treats men as houses and occupies men’s body to be the
king of house.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Jealousy makes man lose rationality and prejudice
makes man lose light.
2) Since men abused and blasphemed our Lord
we
should not hope others to treat us good. When we are misunderstood
persecuted
and despised by others
we should remember how men treat our Lord.
Matt. 12:25 “But Jesus knew their
thoughts
and said to them: ‘Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation
and every city or house divided
against itself will not stand.”
YLT: “And Jesus
knowing
their thoughts
said to them
`Every kingdom having been divided against itself
is desolated
and no city or house having been divided against itself
doth
stand
”
Literal Meaning: “Jesus knew their
thoughts” It shows that the Lord discerns and knows the true meaning of men’s
thoughts in their hearts.
“Kingdom
city and house” are spheres
adhering to different authority. They exist because some authority holds them
together. Once the authority does not work
they will naturally disintegrate.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The testimony of the assembly depends on the tolerance
in love among believers and the uniting bound of peace.
2) If there is segregation in some assembly
there
won’t be any edification in that assembly.
Matt. 12:26 “If Satan casts out Satan
he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?”
YLT: “and if the
Adversary doth cast out the Adversary
against himself he was divided
how then
doth his kingdom stand?”
Meaning of Words: “Satan”: the
adversary.
Literal Meaning: Satan is God’s
adversary and it has its own kingdom------its kingdom is this world and it is
the prince of this kingdom (John. 12:31). It never puts up with any
provocation.
Matt. 12:27 “And if I cast out demons
by Beelzebub
by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your
judges.”
YLT: “`And if I
by
Beelzeboul
do cast out the demons
your sons by whom do they cast out? because
of this they they shall be your judges.”
Literal Meaning: the Pharisees also
cast out demons and they thought they did it by God in their eyes. However they
criticized that the Lord cast out demons by the ruler of the demons. And this
played a negative role in their standpoint.
Matt. 12:28 “But if I cast out demons
by the Spirit of God
surely the
YLT: “`But if I
by the
Spirit of God
do cast out the demons
then come already unto you did the reign
of God.”
Literal Meaning: “the Spirit of God”
represents God’s authority and power. “The
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Where there is the authority of God
there will
be no place for the demons. Magnifying the Lord is the key to overcome in the
spiritual conflicts.
2) Not by might
nor by power
but by the Spirit of
God (Zech. 4:6).
3) Where the Spirit of the Lord is
there is
liberty (2Cor. 3:17).
Matt. 12:29 “Or how can one enter a
strong man's house and plunder his goods
unless he first binds the strong man?
And then he will plunder his house.”
YLT: “`Or how is one able
to go into the house of the strong man
and to plunder his goods
if first he
may not bind the strong man? and then his house he will plunder.”
Spiritual Meaning: “a strong man”: the
mighty and powerful man
symbolizing Satan. “A strong man’s house”: the
The Lord Jesus had crushed the head of
Satan on the cross (Gen. 3:15) and all the believers are set free by Him (Gal.
5:1). We have been delivered from the authority of darkness and translated into
the kingdom of the Son of His love (Col. 1:13).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Men were originally God’s possession. However
men were stolen by Satan and became its goods.
2) The principle of our work is to bind first and
then plunder. The effective way to gain men through glad tidings is praying to
the Lord first for binding Satan.
3) Every spiritual work is obvious plunder instead
of secret robbery. Christians should not deal with Satan courteously but
without sincerity.
4) Prayers with faith by believers also could bind
Satan (Matt. 16:19
18:18).
Matt. 12:30 “He who is not with Me is
against Me
and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”
YLT: “`He who is not with
me is against me
and he who is not gathering with me
doth scatter.”
Meaning of Words: “with”: stand on the
same side; “gather”: lead together.
Literal Meaning: “who is not with
Me”: who does not stand on the side of the Lord. “Who does not gather with Me”:
who does not bring men to the Lord.
In this cosmos
there are only the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We do not have any neutral position between the
Lord and Satan.
2) Concerning the attitude towards Christ
“he who
is not with Me is against Me”. Concerning the attitude towards works of those
who are of Christ
“he who is not against us is for us” (Mark. 9:40).
3) It is impossible for a Christian not to be with
the Lord on earth. It is also impossible for a Christian not to gather with the
Lord ------never bring men to the Lord.
Matt. 12:31 “‘Therefore
I say to you
every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men
but the blasphemy
against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.”
YLT: “Because of this I
say to you
all sin and evil speaking shall be forgiven to men
but the evil
speaking of the Spirit shall not be forgiven to men.”
Meaning of Words: “blasphemy”: evil
speaking
defamation
and vilification (especially against God).
Literal Meaning: “therefore I say to
you”. It is a conclusion according to the above context. The Lord cast out
demons by the Spirit of God (v.28) but the Pharisees said that He cast out
demons by “the ruler of demons” (v.24). Therefore they blasphemed the Holy
Spirit.
If men repent
very sin of behavior and
words will be forgiven. However if someone obviously knows that the Holy Spirit
works and deliberately despises and blasphemes the Holy Spirit
his conduct
restrains he Holy Spirit from working in his heart forever. In this way
it is
impossible for him to repent of his sins and certainly he will never be
forgiven.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) One will be forgiven if he is too weak to obey
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Only those who obviously know that
something is of the Holy Spirit and say that it is of Satan will never be
forgiven.
2) Every behavioral sin of men could be forgiven.
However if men are purposely against the Holy Spirit and their hearts keep hard
to the end
it will be impossible for them to be forgiven.
Matt. 12:32 “Anyone who speaks a word
against the Son of Man
it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the
Holy Spirit
it will not be forgiven him
either in this age or in the age to
come.”
YLT: “And whoever may
speak a word against the Son of Man it shall be forgiven to him
but whoever
may speak against the Holy Spirit
it shall not be forgiven him
neither in
this age
nor in that which is coming.”
Meaning of Words: “against”: towards
antagonize
and withstand.
Literal Meaning: “Anyone who speaks a
word against the Son of Man
it will be forgiven him.” “The Son of Man” is
Christ. If men reject Him because they do not know that the Lord Jesus is the
Son of God
they still have the possibility to come to realize the truth and
turn to Him. Therefore they will be forgiven.
“But whoever speaks against the Holy
Spirit
it will not be forgiven him
either in this age or in the age to come.”
If someone obviously knows that only by the Spirit of God a man is able to cast
out demons
saying that someone casts out demons by the ruler of the demons
he
purposely blasphemes the Holy Spirit and makes the Holy Spirit have no position
to work in him
therefore he will not repent in the age of grace (“this age”)
or be forgiven in the age of kingdom (“the age to come”).
Matt. 12:33 “‘Either
make the tree good and its fruit good
or else make the tree bad and its fruit
bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.”
YLT: “`Either make the
tree good
and its fruit good
or make the tree bad
and its fruit bad
for
from the fruit is the tree known.”
Meaning of Words: “make”: do
order.
Literal Meaning: “tree” refers to the
good or bad of men’s hearts; “fruit” refers to the appearance of men’s conducts
(See Matt. 7:15-20)
here it specially refers to words. One could be judged
good or not according to his words.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) One’s corruption of his words and conducts is
determined by his heart.
2) It is impossible for a man with a holy heart to
be specialized in saying unclean things. It is impossible for a man with a
heart of love to say things of hatred.
Matt. 12:34 “Brood of vipers! How can
you
being evil
speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth speaks.”
YLT: “`Brood of vipers!
how are ye able to speak good things being evil? for out of the abundance of
the heart doth the mouth speak.”
Literal Meaning: words reflect one’s
heart (words are the voice of mind). When there are something in his hearts
he
will speak it out sooner or latter.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If we want to rule our mouths
we have to rule
our hearts first (Prov. 25:28).
2) From one’s words
we could know the person
because words greatly reflect one’s heart.
Matt. 12:35 “A good man out of the
good treasure of his heart brings forth good things
and an evil man out of the
evil treasure brings forth evil things.”
YLT: “The good man out of
the good treasure of the heart doth put forth the good things
and the evil man
out of the evil treasure doth put forth evil things.”
Literal Meaning: the two “treasure”
in original is like the way to receive and keep of the strongbox of bank. If we
receive and keep some thoughts in our hearts
we will speak them out by our
lips.
Enlightenment in the Word: Please search me
the Lord and let the words of my
mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight (See Ps.
19:14).
Matt. 12:36 “But I say to you that for
every idle word men may speak
they will give account of it in the day of
judgment.”
YLT: “`And I say to you
that every idle word that men may speak
they shall give for it a reckoning in
a day of judgment;”
Meaning of Words: “idle”: lazy
go
slow at work; “give account”: repay
hand over the accounts.
Literal Meaning: “idle word” means
useless and unnecessary word in original. Today if we speak idle word light-headedly
we will give account of it in future. How serious punishment will those who
speak evil words suffer!
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If the thoughts in one’s hearts have not been
spoken out
there are still chances to cancel them. However once the words are
spoken out
it is unchangeable. Therefore we should speak very carefully.
2) Christians not only say idle word for one time
they but also say it for twice. The words said light-headedly today will be
spoken again before the judgment-seat of Christ.
Matt. 12:37 “For by your words you
will be justified
and by your words you will be condemned.’”
YLT: “for from thy words
thou shalt be declared righteous
and from thy words thou shalt be declared
unrighteous.`”
Literal Meaning: words are not the
reason but the testimony for being justified or condemned. It is serious that
every word we say today determines the position we stand in the
Matt. 12:38 “Then some of the scribes
and Pharisees answered
saying
‘Teacher
we want to see a
sign from You.’”
YLT: “Then answered
certain of the scribes and Pharisees
saying
`Teacher
we will to see a sign
from thee.’”
Meaning of Words: “sign”: miracle
wonder.
Literal Meaning: “answered
saying”
The scribes and Pharisees here asked the Lord Jesus to do a sign. It was their
reply to the manifestation of His identity and they asked Him to show the
evidence.
Spiritual Meaning: the Scribes and
Pharisees represent religious believers. “Sign” is the miraculous phenomenon
with spiritual meaning. Religious believers only pay attention to apparent
phenomenon and neglect the real meaning.
Matt. 12:39 “But He answered and said
to them
‘An evil and adulterous
generation seeks after a sign
and no sign will be given to it except the sign
of the prophet Jonah.”
YLT: “And he answering
said to them
`A generation
evil and adulterous
doth seek a sign
and a sign
shall not be given to it
except the sign of Jonah the prophet;”
Literal Meaning: “evil and adulterous
generation” “evil” refers to the inner nature. “Adulterous” refers to the outer
behavior. “Generation” refers to the age of the whole world in broad sense and
all one’s life in narrow sense. The Lord here refers to the spiritual adultery
instead of fleshly adultery. It means that people in that world were unfaithful
to their spiritual husband------they were unfaithful to God and turned to idols
(Hos. 4:12).
Spiritual Meaning: “the sign of the
prophet Jonah” (Jon. 1:17) is the type of the Lord’s death and resurrection.
This verse means that only Christ who
died and rose up from the dead could meet the need of the evil and adulterous
generation.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Signs are of no effect to men who are with evil
intentions and only arouse their curiosity.
2) The rising life of Christ that is manifested in
believers is the sign that the world urgently needs to see.
Matt. 12:40 “For as Jonah was three
days and three nights in the belly of the great fish
so will the Son of Man be
three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
YLT: “for
as Jonah was
in the belly of the fish three days and three nights
so shall the Son of Man
be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.”
The
Background: according to the
calculating method of time
a period of time could be called three days and
three nights if it includes some time of the first day and the third day and
the period of time could be short of seventy two hours.
Spiritual Meaning: Jonah in the belly
of the great fish is a sign. It typifies that the Lord died and was buried for
us. He descended into the lower parts of the earth (Eph. 4:9) and stayed in
hell (Acts. 2:27).
Matt. 12:41 “The men of
YLT: “`Men of
Meaning of Words: “greater”: more in
quality or quantity.
Literal Meaning: “the men of
“Lo
indeed a greater than Jonah is
here.” Jonah did not obey God’s dispatch and fled unto Tarshish (Jon. 1:3).
Christ accepted God’s dispatch and became obedient even unto death (Pill. 2:8).
Therefore He is greater than Jonah.
Christ is the prophet that is greater
than Jonah. He was sent by God and spoke for God through His deeds.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The only need of this world is to see and
receive the rising Christ.
2) The men of
3) Death first and then the resurrection. Our
natural life should be delivered unto death and then the life of the rising
Christ will be manifested (2Cor. 4:11).
4) If Christians are of two minds towards the Lord
and do not follow the Lord well
lest a group of people will rise up and
condemn us one day in future.
Matt. 12:42 “The queen of the South
will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it
for she came
from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater
than Solomon is here.”
YLT: “`A queen of the
south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation
and shall condemn it
for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon
and lo
a greater than Solomon here!”
Meaning of Words: “greater”: more in
quality and quantity.
Literal Meaning: “The queen of the
South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it.” “The
queen of the South” was the queen of
“Lo
indeed a greater than Solomon is
there.” Solomon asked for an understanding heart (1Kings. 3:9) and Christ
Himself is wisdom. Solomon spoke of the trees (1Kings. 4:33) and Christ is the
Lord that created all. Therefore He is greater than Solomon. He is the greater
king and he is king of kings (Rev. 17:14).
Spiritual Meaning: Solomon spoke words
of wisdom (1Kings. 4:34)
built the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If we want to hear the wisdom of the Lord
we
should humble ourselves like the queen of the South.
2) In order to hear the words of the Lord
some
believers pay the price and they even disregard their lives. However some
believers in easy environment do not have interest or longing in the Lord’s
words
and even incline to the worldly things.
Matt. 12:43 “‘When
an unclean spirit goes out of a man
he goes through dry places
seeking rest
and finds none.”
YLT: “`And
when the
unclean spirit may go forth from the man
it doth walk through dry places
seeking rest
and doth not find;”
Meaning of Words: “dry”: waterless.
Literal Meaning: “unclean spirit”:
evil spirits. After they had been judged with water by God (See Gen. 1:2)
they
lived in the sea. Then they roost in dry places and the body of men after men
had fallen and sinned against God. “An unclean spirit goes out of a man.”
Unless the spirit finds some other objects
it won’t have rest and has to
return to the sea (See Matt. 8:32).
Matt. 12:44 “Then he says
‘I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he
comes
he finds it empty
swept
and put in order.”
YLT: “then it saith
I
will turn back to my house whence I came forth; and having come
it findeth
[it] unoccupied
swept
and adorned:”
Meaning of Words: “put in order”:
decorate
adorn.
Literal Meaning: “swept” is negative
shipping the original things out.
“Put in order” is positive
getting something in.
Spiritual Meaning: “he finds it empty
swept
and put in order.” Though the religious believers the Pharisees
represented also cast out demons
they did not receive the Lord Jesus to abide
in their hearts after demons had been cast out from them (Eph. 3:17). They only
paid attention to the outer morally good behaviors (“swept”) and decorated
themselves with letters and regulations (“put in order”). But they did not have
the Lord’s spirit dwelling in their hearts (Rom. 8:11). Therefore their hearts
were “empty”.
Matt. 12:45 “Then he goes and takes
with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself
and they enter and dwell
there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also
be with this wicked generation.’”
YLT: “then doth it go
and take with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself
and having gone
in they dwell there
and the last of that man doth become worse than the first;
so shall it be also to this evil generation.`”
The
Background: verse 43 to verse 45
is the historical background of the Jews in the past and the Lord rebuked that
their state now is worse than before: through the event that they were taken
away captive to Babylon
they had been cleansed and delivered from idols.
However
as a result of their disobedience
unbelief and the hardness of their
hearts
their state now had been worse than that of the period before they had
been taken away captive.
Spiritual Meaning: “then he goes and takes
with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself.” “Seven” symbolizes the
temporary perfect in the Bible. “Seven other spirits” symbolizes the complete
power of Satan.
“The last state of the man is worse than
the first.” If men only pay attention to religious ceremonies and do not
magnify the Lord
on the contrary
they will fall under the power of Satan and
they will be played with by Satan unconsciously------their state is worse than
that of the period when they have not paid attention to morality because not
only God and men but also Satan could do nothing to the true evil ones. However
the devil is able to manipulate and make fun of the good men who do not receive
the Lord and therefore their states are worse than the first.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Men are unable to change themselves by their own
abilities.
2) Demons love to dwell in the good ones who do not
believe in the Lord because they keep the law
stress on morality and do not
have Christ in themselves.
Matt. 12:46 “While He was still
talking to the multitudes
behold
His mother and brothers stood outside
seeking to speak with Him.”
YLT: “And while he was
yet speaking to the multitudes
lo
his mother and brethren had stood without
seeking to speak to him
”
The Background:
“His mother and brothers stood outside
seeking to speak with Him.” According to the records in the Gospel of Mark
before the Lord said these words
He cannot even eat break in order to do the
will of God and His relatives said that He was out of His mind (Mark. 3:20-21).
Therefore they may have invited His mother and brothers to exhort Him (Mark.
3:31).
Literal Meaning: “behold” means to
draw others’ attention.
Matt. 12:47 “Then one said to Him
‘Look
Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside
seeking to speak with You.’”
YLT: “and one said to
him
`Lo
thy mother and thy brethren do stand without
seeking to speak to
thee.’”
Spiritual Meaning: in the “outside” of
the house symbolizes that in the outside of the house of God (assembly).
Enlightenment in the Word: Men have no way to draw near to the Lord and
communicate with the Lord in the outside of the house of God.
Matt. 12:48 “But He answered and said
to the one who told Him
‘Who is My mother and who
are My brothers?’”
YLT: “And he answering
said to him who spake to him
`Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?’”
Literal Meaning: the Lord did not
abandon His relatives according to flesh (See John. 19:26-27). He said so to
reveal that the relationship with each other in the house of God is not built
on the blood relationship.
Matt. 12:49 “And He stretched out His
hand toward His disciples and said
"Here are My mother and My brothers!”
YLT: “And having
stretched forth his hand toward his disciples
he said
`Lo
my mother and my
brethren!”
Literal Meaning: “disciples”
represent those who believe in and seek the Lord. In the house of God
the
blood relationship and unity have changed into the spiritual relationship and
unity.
Matt. 12:50 “For whoever does the will
of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.’”
YLT: “for whoever may do
the will of my Father who is in the heavens
he is my brother
and sister
and
mother.’”
Literal Meaning: the Lord Jesus is
the center of the will of the Father. Anyone who does the will of God is His
“brother” who helps Him
His “sister” who feels for Him and His “mother” who is
meek and loves Him.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The will of God is to bring us to enter into the
eternal rest (Heb. 4:1-11) and therefore those who do the will of God will
enjoy the rest in the house of God.
2) Whoever does the will of the Father lives in the
reality of the kingdom of heaven. Certainly they will have the heavenly
relationship with the king of the kingdom of heaven and become His relatives.
3) The spiritual relationship between the Lord and
believers exceeds the blood relationship. Though believers have
responsibilities and obligations to take
they should put doing the will of God
first.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Reason Why the Lord Said His Disciples
Were Lawful to Plunk Heads of Grain and to Eat on the Sabbath.
II. The priests were
lawful to profane the Sabbath in the temple (v.5) ------today we are all
priests.
III. There is one
greater than the temple (v.6) ------the Lord is greater than the temple and we
abide in the Lord.
IV. The Lord desires
mercy and not sacrifice (v.7) ------we should give priority to men’s needs that
accord with the truth and should not stress on religious ceremonies so that
neglect men’s needs.
V. The Lord is lord
of the Sabbath (v.8) ------the Lord could dominate the Sabbath and men should
not restrain the Lord by the Sabbath.
The King is the
Reality of the Typifications:
I. He is the true “David” (v.1-4).
II. He is the greater “temple” (v.5-6).
III. He is the Lord of the “Sabbath”
(v.7-8).
IV. He is the reality of the “Sabbath”
(v.9-16).
V. He is the fulfillment of the “prophesy”
(v.17-21).
VI. He is the greater “Jonah” (v.38-41).
VII. He is the greater “Solomon” (v.42).
The King is the
Reality of the
I. The
II. If we do not let the Holy Spirit work in
us
we won’t partake in the
III. If our hearts are not possessed by the
Lord
our hearts may become the dwelling place of the devil (v.43-45).
The King is the
Reality of the House of God
I. Only in the house of God
men are able to
draw near to the Lord and communicate with the Lord (v.46-47).
II. Only those who do the will of God are
members in the house of God (v.48-50).
Men Stressed on the
Appearance and the Lord Stressed on the Inner Hearts
I. The Pharisees stressed on traditional
teachings of the ancients and the Lord stressed on men’s mercy (v.8--9).
II. Men stressed on conventional teachings
and the Lord stressed on saving men (v.9-21).
III. The Pharisees blasphemed the Holy
Spirit and the Lord bound the strong man first (v.22-32).
IV. Men stressed on speaking idly words and
the Lord stressed on the goodness of hearts (v.33-45).
V. Men stressed on seeing signs and the Lord
stressed on the inner states of men (v.38-45).
VI. Men stressed on blood relationship and
the Lord stressed on doing the will of God (v.46-50).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren