Footnotes

1. Matthew 12:5 The Sabbath-work is related to worshiping God, changing the shewbread (Lev 24:8), and doubling the usual daily burnt offerings (Num 28:9f). Hence, the Law itself requires works that break the Sabbath rest (violate the Sabbath) because of the higher duty of God’s service. If temple duties outweigh the Law, how much more does the presence of Jesus with his proclamation of the kingdom (one greater than the temple) justify the conduct of his disciples. If people become more concerned with the means of worship than with the God they worship, they will miss God even while they think they are worshiping him.