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人子是安息日的主

12 那時,耶穌在安息日從麥地經過。他的門徒餓了,就掐起麥穗來吃。 法利賽人看見,就對耶穌說:「看哪,你的門徒做安息日不可做的事了。」 耶穌對他們說:「經上記著大衛和跟從他的人飢餓之時所做的事,你們沒有念過嗎? 他怎麼進了神的殿,吃了陳設餅?這餅不是他和跟從他的人可以吃的,唯獨祭司才可以吃。 再者,律法上所記的,當安息日祭司在殿裡犯了安息日還是沒有罪,你們沒有念過嗎? 但我告訴你們:在這裡有一人比殿更大。 『我喜愛憐恤不喜愛祭祀』,你們若明白這話的意思,就不將無罪的當做有罪的了。 因為人子是安息日的主。」

在安息日治病

耶穌離開那地方,進了一個會堂。 10 那裡有一個人枯乾了一隻手。有人問耶穌說:「安息日治病可以不可以?」意思是要控告他。 11 耶穌說:「你們中間誰有一隻羊當安息日掉在坑裡,不把牠抓住拉上來呢? 12 人比羊何等貴重呢!所以,在安息日做善事是可以的。」 13 於是對那人說:「伸出手來!」他把手一伸,手就復了原,和那隻手一樣。 14 法利賽人出去,商議怎樣可以除滅耶穌。 15 耶穌知道了,就離開那裡。有許多人跟著他,他把其中有病的人都治好了, 16 又囑咐他們不要給他傳名。 17 這是要應驗先知以賽亞的話說: 18 「看哪,我的僕人,我所揀選、所親愛、心裡所喜悅的!我要將我的靈賜給他,他必將公理傳給外邦。 19 他不爭競,不喧嚷,街上也沒有人聽見他的聲音。 20 壓傷的蘆葦他不折斷,將殘的燈火他不吹滅,等他施行公理,叫公理得勝。 21 外邦人都要仰望他的名。」

駁倒法利賽人的讒言

22 當下,有人將一個被鬼附著、又瞎又啞的人帶到耶穌那裡。耶穌就醫治他,甚至那啞巴又能說話,又能看見。 23 眾人都驚奇,說:「這不是大衛的子孫嗎?」 24 但法利賽人聽見,就說:「這個人趕鬼,無非是靠著鬼王別西卜啊。」 25 耶穌知道他們的意念,就對他們說:「凡一國自相紛爭,就成為荒場;一城一家自相紛爭,必站立不住。 26 撒旦趕逐撒旦,就是自相紛爭,他的國怎能站得住呢? 27 我若靠著別西卜趕鬼,你們的子弟趕鬼又靠著誰呢?這樣,他們就要斷定你們的是非。 28 我若靠著神的靈趕鬼,這就是神的國臨到你們了。 29 人怎能進壯士家裡搶奪他的家具呢?除非先捆住那壯士,才可以搶奪他的家財。 30 不與我相合的,就是敵我的;不同我收聚的,就是分散的。

褻瀆聖靈的不得赦免

31 「所以我告訴你們,人一切的罪和褻瀆的話都可得赦免,唯獨褻瀆聖靈總不得赦免。 32 凡說話干犯人子的,還可得赦免;唯獨說話干犯聖靈的,今世來世總不得赦免。 33 你們或以為樹好果子也好,樹壞果子也壞,因為看果子就可以知道樹。 34 毒蛇的種類!你們既是惡人,怎能說出好話來呢?因為心裡所充滿的,口裡就說出來。 35 善人從他心裡所存的善就發出善來,惡人從他心裡所存的惡就發出惡來。 36 我又告訴你們,凡人所說的閒話,當審判的日子必要句句供出來。 37 因為要憑你的話定你為義,也要憑你的話定你有罪。」

求神蹟的受責備

38 當時,有幾個文士和法利賽人對耶穌說:「夫子,我們願意你顯個神蹟給我們看。」 39 耶穌回答說:「一個邪惡淫亂的世代求看神蹟,除了先知約拿的神蹟以外,再沒有神蹟給他們看。 40 約拿三日三夜在大魚肚腹中,人子也要這樣三日三夜在地裡頭。 41 當審判的時候,尼尼微人要起來定這世代的罪,因為尼尼微人聽了約拿所傳的就悔改了。看哪,在這裡有一人比約拿更大! 42 當審判的時候,南方的女王要起來定這世代的罪,因為她從地極而來,要聽所羅門的智慧話。看哪,在這裡有一人比所羅門更大! 43 汙鬼離了人身,就在無水之地過來過去,尋求安歇之處,卻尋不著。 44 於是說:『我要回到我所出來的屋裡去。』到了,就看見裡面空閒,打掃乾淨,修飾好了, 45 便去另帶了七個比自己更惡的鬼來,都進去住在那裡。那人末後的景況比先前更不好了。這邪惡的世代也要如此。」

信者皆為親屬

46 耶穌還對眾人說話的時候,不料他母親和他弟兄站在外邊,要與他說話。 47 有人告訴他說:「看哪,你母親和你弟兄站在外邊,要與你說話。」 48 他卻回答那人說:「誰是我的母親?誰是我的弟兄?」 49 就伸手指著門徒說:「看哪,我的母親,我的弟兄! 50 凡遵行我天父旨意的人,就是我的弟兄、姐妹和母親了。」

安息日的主(A)

12 安息日那天,耶稣从麦田经过;他的门徒饿了,就摘了些麦穗来吃。 法利赛人看见了,就对他说:“你看,你的门徒作了安息日不可作的事。” 耶稣对他们说:“大卫和跟他在一起的人,在饥饿的时候所作的,你们没有念过吗? 他不是进了 神的殿,吃了他和跟他在一起的人不可以吃,只有祭司才可以吃的陈设饼吗? 律法书上记着:安息日,祭司在殿里供职,触犯了安息日,也不算有罪;你们也没有念过吗? 我告诉你们,这里有一位是比圣殿更大的。 如果你们明白‘我喜爱怜悯,不喜爱祭祀’这句话的意思,就不会把无罪的定罪了。 因为人子是安息日的主。”

治好手枯的人(B)

耶稣离开那里,来到他们的会堂。 10 会堂里有一个人,他的一只手枯干了。有人问耶稣:“在安息日治病,可以吗?”目的是要控告耶稣。 11 耶稣回答:“你们当中有哪一个,他仅有的一只羊在安息日跌进坑里,会不把羊抓住拉上来呢? 12 人比羊贵重得多了!所以,在安息日行善是可以的。” 13 于是对那人说:“伸出手来!”他把手一伸,就复原了,好象另一只手一样。 14 法利赛人出去,商议怎样对付耶稣,好杀掉他。

 神拣选的仆人

15 耶稣知道了,就离开那里。有很多人跟随他,他医好他们所有的病人, 16 又嘱咐他们不可替他张扬。 17 这就应验了以赛亚先知所说的:

18 “看哪!我所拣选的仆人,

我所爱,心里所喜悦的;

我要把我的灵赐给他,

他必向万国宣扬公理。

19 他不争吵,也不喧嚷,

人在街上听不见他的声音。

20 压伤的芦苇,他不折断,

将残的灯火,他不吹灭;

直到他施行公理,使公理得胜。

21 万民都要寄望于他的名。”

耶稣靠 神的灵赶鬼(C)

22 有人带了一个被鬼附着、又瞎又哑的人到耶稣那里。耶稣医好了他,那哑巴就能说话,也能看见了。 23 群众都很惊奇,说:“难道他就是大卫的子孙?” 24 法利赛人听见了,说:“这个人赶鬼,只不过是靠鬼王别西卜罢了。” 25 耶稣知道他们的心思,就对他们说:“如果一个国家自相纷争,就必定荒凉;一城一家自相纷争,必站立不住。 26 如果撒但赶逐撒但,就会自相纷争。那么,他的国怎能站立得住呢? 27 我若靠别西卜赶鬼,你们的子孙又靠谁赶鬼呢?这样,他们就要断定你们的不是。 28 我若靠 神的灵赶鬼, 神的国就已经临到你们了。 29 如果不先把壮汉绑起来,怎能进到他的家里,抢夺财物呢?如果绑起来了,就可以抢劫他的家了。 30 不站在我这一边的就是反对我的,不跟我一起收聚的,就是分散的。 31 因此,我告诉你们,人的一切罪和亵渎的话,都可以赦免;可是,亵渎圣灵就得不着赦免。 32 无论谁说话得罪了人子,还可以赦免;但说话得罪了圣灵的,今生来世都得不着赦免。

种好树结好果子(D)

33 “你们种好树就结好果子,种坏树就结坏果子;凭着果子就能认出树来。 34 毒蛇所生的啊,你们既然是邪恶的,怎能说出良善的话?因为心中所充满的,口里就说出来。 35 良善的人从他良善的心(“心”原文作“库房”)发出良善,邪恶的人从他邪恶的心(“心”原文作“库房”)发出邪恶。 36 我告诉你们,人所说的闲话,在审判的日子,句句都要供出来, 37 因为你要照你的话被称为义,或定为有罪。”

约拿的神迹(E)

38 当时,有一些经学家和法利赛人对耶稣说:“老师,我们想请你显个神迹看看。” 39 但耶稣说:“邪恶和淫乱的世代寻求神迹,除了约拿先知的神迹以外,再没有神迹给你们了。 40 约拿怎样三日三夜在大鱼的腹中,人子也要照样三日三夜在地里。 41 审判的时候,尼尼微人要和这个世代一同起来,定这个世代的罪,因为他们听了约拿所传的就悔改了。你看,这里有一位是比约拿更大的。 42 审判的时候,南方的女王要和这个世代一同起来,定这个世代的罪,因为她从地极来到,要听所罗门智慧的话。你看,这里有一位是比所罗门更大的。

污灵去而复返的教训(F)

43 “有一个污灵离开了一个人,走遍干旱之地,寻找栖身的地方,却没有找到。 44 他就说:‘我要回到我从前离开了的那房子。’到了之后,看见里面空着,已经打扫干净,粉饰好了, 45 他就去带了另外七个比自己更恶的污灵来,一齐进去住在那里;那人后来的情况,比以前更坏了。这邪恶的世代也会这样。”

谁是耶稣的母亲和弟兄(G)

46 耶稣还在对群众讲话的时候,他的母亲和弟弟站在外面,要找他讲话。 47 有人告诉耶稣:“你的母亲和弟弟站在外面,有话要跟你说。” 48 他回答那人:“谁是我的母亲?谁是我的弟兄?” 49 他伸手指着门徒说:“你看,我的母亲,我的弟兄! 50 凡是遵行我天父旨意的,就是我的弟兄、姊妹和母亲了。”

Lord of the Sabbath

12 (A)At that [a]time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to (B)pick the heads of grain and eat. But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what (C)is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.” But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, how he entered the house of God, and (D)they ate the [b]consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple [c]break the Sabbath and are innocent? But I say to you that something (E)greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this [d]means, ‘(F)I desire [e]compassion, and not a sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For (G)the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Jesus Heals a Man on the Sabbath

(H)And departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned [f]Jesus, saying, “(I)Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse Him. 11 And He said to them, (J)What man [g]is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 (K)How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do [h]good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” (L)He stretched it out, and it was restored to [i]normal, like the other. 14 But going out, the Pharisees (M)took counsel together against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

15 But Jesus, [j]aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and (N)He healed them all, 16 and (O)warned them not to make Him known, 17 in order that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled, saying,

18 (P)Behold, My [k]Servant whom I [l]have chosen;
(Q)My Beloved in whom My soul [m]is well-pleased;
(R)I will put My Spirit upon Him,
(S)And He shall proclaim [n]justice to the [o]Gentiles.
19 (T)He will not quarrel, nor cry out;
Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
20 (U)A battered reed He will not break off,
And a smoldering wick He will not put out,
Until He [p]leads [q]justice to victory.
21 (V)And in His name the [r]Gentiles will hope.”

A Kingdom Divided

22 (W)Then a (X)demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to [s]Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw. 23 And all the crowds were astounded, and were saying, “Can this man really be the (Y)Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man does not (Z)cast out demons except by [t]Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.”

25 (AA)And (AB)knowing their thoughts He said to them, [u]Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and [v]any city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 And if (AC)Satan casts out Satan, he [w]is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I (AD)by [x]Beelzebul cast out demons, (AE)by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 28 But (AF)if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

30 (AG)He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

31 (AH)Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 32 (AI)And whoever [y]speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever [z]speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in (AJ)this age or in the age to come.

The Heart Is Revealed by Words

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for (AK)the tree is known by its fruit. 34 (AL)You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak [aa]what is good? (AM)For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 (AN)The good man brings out of his good treasure [ab]what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure [ac]what is evil. 36 But I tell you that every [ad]careless word that people [ae]speak, they shall give an accounting for it in (AO)the day of judgment. 37 For [af]by your words you will be justified, and [ag]by your words you will be condemned.”

The Sign of Jonah

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered and said to Him, “Teacher, (AP)we want to see [ah]a sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, (AQ)An evil and adulterous generation eagerly seeks for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40 for just as (AR)Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will (AS)the Son of Man be (AT)three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 (AU)The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because (AV)they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, (AW)something greater than Jonah is here. 42 (AX)The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, (AY)something greater than Solomon is here.

43 (AZ)Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and (BA)the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

46 (BB)While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His (BC)mother and (BD)brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47 [ai]Now someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.” 48 But [aj]Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 12:1 Or occasion
  2. Matthew 12:4 Or showbread; lit loaves of presentation
  3. Matthew 12:5 Or profane
  4. Matthew 12:7 Lit is
  5. Matthew 12:7 Or mercy
  6. Matthew 12:10 Lit Him
  7. Matthew 12:11 Lit will be from you
  8. Matthew 12:12 Lit well
  9. Matthew 12:13 Lit health
  10. Matthew 12:15 Lit knowing
  11. Matthew 12:18 Lit Child
  12. Matthew 12:18 Lit chose
  13. Matthew 12:18 Or took pleasure
  14. Matthew 12:18 Or judgment
  15. Matthew 12:18 Or nations
  16. Matthew 12:20 Or puts forth
  17. Matthew 12:20 Or judgment
  18. Matthew 12:21 Or nations
  19. Matthew 12:22 Lit Him
  20. Matthew 12:24 Or Beezebul
  21. Matthew 12:25 Lit Every
  22. Matthew 12:25 Lit every
  23. Matthew 12:26 Lit was
  24. Matthew 12:27 v 24, note 1
  25. Matthew 12:32 Lit will speak
  26. Matthew 12:32 Lit will speak
  27. Matthew 12:34 Lit good things
  28. Matthew 12:35 Lit good things
  29. Matthew 12:35 Lit evil things
  30. Matthew 12:36 Or useless
  31. Matthew 12:36 Lit will speak
  32. Matthew 12:37 Or in accordance with
  33. Matthew 12:37 Or in accordance with
  34. Matthew 12:38 Or an attesting miracle
  35. Matthew 12:47 This verse is not found in early mss
  36. Matthew 12:48 Lit He

12 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.

But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

16 And charged them that they should not make him known:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

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 shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath(A)(B)

12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain(C) and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”(D)

He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?(E) He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.(F) Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath(G) and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.(H) If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’[a](I) you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man(J) is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus,(K) they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”(L)

11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?(M) 12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep!(N) Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.(O)

God’s Chosen Servant

15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.(P) 16 He warned them not to tell others about him.(Q) 17 This was to fulfill(R) what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
    the one I love, in whom I delight;(S)
I will put my Spirit on him,(T)
    and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
    no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
21     In his name the nations will put their hope.”[b](U)

Jesus and Beelzebul(V)

22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.(W) 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”(X)

24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul,(Y) the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”(Z)

25 Jesus knew their thoughts(AA) and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan(AB) drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul,(AC) by whom do your people(AD) drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God(AE) has come upon you.

29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.(AF) 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.(AG) 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age(AH) or in the age to come.(AI)

33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.(AJ) 34 You brood of vipers,(AK) how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks(AL) what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”(AM)

The Sign of Jonah(AN)(AO)

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign(AP) from you.”(AQ)

39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.(AR) 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish,(AS) so the Son of Man(AT) will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.(AU) 41 The men of Nineveh(AV) will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah,(AW) and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came(AX) from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.(AY) That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers(AZ)

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother(BA) and brothers(BB) stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven(BC) is my brother and sister and mother.”

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 12:7 Hosea 6:6
  2. Matthew 12:21 Isaiah 42:1-4