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12 In that time Jesus went by corns in the sabbath day [on the sabbath day]; and his disciples hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

And the Pharisees, seeing, said to him, Lo! thy disciples do that thing that is not leaveful to them to do in [the] sabbaths.

And he said to them, Whether ye have not read, what David did, when he hungered, and they that were with him?

how he entered into the house of God, and ate loaves of proposition, which loaves it was not leaveful to him to eat, neither to them that were with him, but to priests alone?[a]

Or whether ye have not read in the law, that in the sabbaths priests in the temple defoul the sabbaths, and they be without blame?

And I say to you, that here is a greater than the temple. [Soothly I say to you, for this is more than the temple.]

And if ye knew, what it is, I will mercy, and not sacrifice, ye should never have condemned innocents.

For man's Son is Lord, yea, of the sabbath. [Truly man's Son is Lord also of the sabbath.]

And when he passed from thence [And when he passed thence], he came into the synagogue of them.

10 And lo! a man that had a dry hand. And they asked him, and said, Whether it be leaveful to heal in the sabbath [And they asked him, saying, If it is leaveful to heal in the sabbath]? that they should accuse him.

11 And he said to them, What man of you shall there be, that hath one sheep, and if it fall into a ditch in the sabbaths, whether he shall not (take) hold, and lift it up?

12 How much more is a man better than a sheep? Therefore it is leaveful to do good in the sabbaths [in the sabbath].

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

14 And the Pharisees went out, and made a council against him, how they should destroy him [how they should lose him].

15 And Jesus knew it, and went away from thence; and many followed him, and he healed them all.

16 And he commanded to them, that they should not make him known;

17 that that thing were fulfilled [that that thing should be fulfilled], that was said by Esaias, the prophet, saying,

18 Lo! my child, whom I have chosen, my darling, in whom it hath well pleased to my soul; I shall put my Spirit on him, and he shall tell doom to heathen men.

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

20 A bruised reed he shall not break, and he shall not quench smoking flax, till he cast out doom to victory;

21 and heathen men shall hope in his name.

22 Then a man blind and dumb, that had a fiend [having a devil], was brought to him; and he healed him, so that he spake, and saw.

23 And all the people wondered, and said, Whether this be the son of David?

24 But the Pharisees heard, and said, He this casteth not out fiends, but in Beelzebub, prince of fiends[b].

25 And Jesus, witting their thoughts, said to them, Each kingdom parted against itself, shall be desolated [shall be desolate], and each city, or house, parted against itself, shall not stand.

26 And if Satan casteth out Satan [And if Satan cast out Satan], he is parted against himself; therefore how shall his kingdom stand?

27 And if I in Beelzebub cast out devils, in whom your sons cast out? Therefore they shall be your doomsmen.

28 But if I in the Spirit of God cast out fiends, then the kingdom of God is come into you.

29 Either how may any man enter into the house of a strong man, and take away his vessels, but he first bind the strong man, and then he shall spoil his house?

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

31 Therefore I say to you, all sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven to men, but [the] blasphemy of the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

32 And whoever saith a word against man's Son, it shall be forgiven to him; but who that saith a word against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven to him, neither in this world, nor in the tother.

33 Either make ye the tree good, and his fruit good; either make ye the tree evil and his fruit evil [or make ye the tree evil, and his fruit evil]; for a tree is known of his fruit.

34 Ye generation of adders, how be ye able to speak good things, when ye be evil? For the mouth speaketh of the plenty of the heart. [Ye generation of adders, how may ye speak good things, when ye be evil? Soothly the mouth speaketh of the great abundance of the heart.]

35 A good man bringeth forth good things of good treasure, and an evil man bringeth forth evil things of evil treasure.

36 And I say to you, that of every idle word, that men speak, they shall yield reason thereof in the day of doom;

37 for of thy words thou shalt be justified, and of thy words thou shalt be condemned.

38 Then some of the scribes and the Pharisees answered to him, and said, Master, we will see a token of thee. [Then some of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered to him, saying, Master, we would see a token of thee.]

39 Which answered, and said to them, An evil kindred and a spouse-breaker seeketh a token [An evil generation and adulterous seeketh a token], and a token shall not be given to it, but the token of Jonas, the prophet.

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

41 Men of Nineveh shall rise in doom with this generation, and shall condemn it; for they did penance in the preaching of Jonas, and lo! here [is] a greater than Jonas.

42 The queen of the south shall rise in doom with this generation, and shall condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and lo! here [is] a greater than Solomon.

43 When an unclean spirit goeth out from a man, he goeth by dry places, seeking rest, and findeth not.[c]

44 Then he saith, I shall turn again into mine house, from whence I went out [Then he saith, I shall turn again into my house, from whence I came out]. And he cometh, and findeth it void, and cleansed with besoms, and made fair.

45 Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits worse than himself; and they enter [in], and dwell there. And the last things of that man be made worse than the former. So it shall be [and] to this worst generation.

46 Yet while he spake to the people, lo! his mother and his brethren stood withoutforth, seeking to speak with him.

47 And a man said to him, Lo! thy mother and thy brethren stand withoutforth, seeking thee.

48 And he answered to the man, that spake to him, and said, Who is my mother? and who be my brethren?

49 And he held forth his hand into his disciples, and said, Lo! my mother and my brethren;

50 for whoever doeth the will of my Father that is in heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 12:4 how he entered into the house of God, and ate loaves of proposition, or putting forth/either setting forth, which was not leaveful to him to eat, neither to them that were with him, no but to priests only?
  2. Matthew 12:24 This casteth not our fiends, no but in Beelzebub, prince of devils
  3. Matthew 12:43 Forsooth when an unclean spirit is gone out from a man, he goeth by dry places, seeking rest, and he findeth none.

The disciples pluck the ears of grain. He defends them, heals the withered hand, helps the possessed man who was blind and dumb, rebukes the unfaithful who insist on having signs, and shows who are his brother, sister, and mother.

12 At that time Jesus went through the grain on the Sabbath days. And his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of grain and to eat. When the Pharisees saw that, they said to him, Look, your disciples are doing that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day. He said to them, Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those also who were with him? How he entered into the house of God and ate the hallowed loaves, which were not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law how the priests in the temple break the Sabbath day, and yet are blameless? But I say to you that there is one here greater than the temple. So then if you had known what this means: I require mercy, and not sacrifice – you would never have condemned the innocent. For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.

And he departed from there and went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, there was a man there who had a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? in order that they might accuse him. 11 And he said to them, Which of you would it be, if he had a sheep fallen into a pit on the Sabbath day, that would not take it and lift it out? 12 And of how much more value is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do a good deed on the Sabbath days.

13 Then he said to the man, Stretch forth your hand. And he stretched it forth. And it was made whole again like the other.

14 Then the Pharisees went out and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 15 When Jesus knew that, he departed from there. And crowds of people followed him. And he healed them all, 16 and charged them not to make him known, 17 to fulfil that which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, who says: 18 Behold my child, whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul delights. I will put my Spirit on him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel; he will not cry out; neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a flax that begins to burn he will not quench, till he sends forth judgment unto victory. 21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

22 Then was brought to him one who was possessed with a devil, who was both blind and dumb. And Jesus healed him, so that he who had been blind and dumb both spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed and said, Is not this the Son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard that, they said, This fellow drives the devils out no other way but by the help of Beelzebub, the chief of the devils.

25 But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, Every kingdom divided within itself will be brought to nothing. Neither can any city or household divided against itself continue. 26 So if Satan casts out Satan, then he is divided against himself. How then shall his kingdom endure? 27 Also, if I by the help of Beelzebub cast out devils, by whose help do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if I cast out the devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

29 Or again, how can a man enter into a strong man’s house and forcibly take away his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he plunders his house. 30 He who is not with me, is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters abroad.

31 So I say to you, all manner of sin and blasphemy may be forgiven men, but the blasphemy of the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 And whosoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it may be forgiven him, but whosoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it may not be forgiven him – no, neither in this world, nor in the world to come. 33 Either judge the tree good, and its fruit correspondingly good, or else judge the tree evil, and its fruit evil also. For the tree is known by its fruit.

34 O offspring of vipers, how can you speak good things when you yourselves are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 35 A good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth good things. And an evil man, out of his evil treasure, brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word that men speak, they will give account at the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, Teacher, we would like to see a sign from you. 39 He answered and said to them, The evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign, but there shall be no sign given to them except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah 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 people of Ninevah will rise at the day of judgment with this nation and condemn it, for they reformed at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, one greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the south will rise at the day of judgment with this generation and will condemn them, for she came from the furthermost parts of the world to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, one greater than Solomon is here.

43 But when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he walks throughout dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, I will return again into my house, the one I came out of. And when he comes back, he finds the house empty and swept and set in order. 45 Then he goes his way and gets seven other spirits worse than himself, and so they enter in and dwell there. And the end of that man is worse than the beginning. That is how it will be with this evil nation.

46 When Jesus was still speaking to the people, his mother and his brethren stood outside, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then someone said to him, Look, your mother and your brethren are standing outside, and want to speak with you. 48 He answered and said to the one that had told him, Who is my mother? or who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand over his disciples and said, Behold my mother and my brethren. 50 For whosoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, sister, and mother.

12 1 The disciples pluck the ears of corn. 6 Mercy, sacrifice. 10 The withered hand is healed. 12 We must do good on the Sabbath. 22 The possessed is holpen. 25 A kingdom divided. 31 Sin, blasphemy. 33 The good or evil tree. 34 Vipers. 38 The Ninevites. 42 The Queen of Sheba. 48 The true mother and brethren of Christ.

At (A)[a]that time Jesus went on a Sabbath day through the corn, and his disciples were an hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do (B)that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath.

But he said unto them, (C)Have ye not read what David did when he was an hungered, and they that were with him?

How he went into the house of God, and did eat the [b]showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the (D)Priests?

Or have ye not read in the Law, how that on the Sabbath days the Priests in the Temple (E)[c]break the Sabbath, and are blameless?

But I say unto you, that here is one greater than the Temple.

Wherefore if ye knew what this is, (F)I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the innocents.

For the son of man is Lord, even of the Sabbath.

(G)[d]And he departed thence, and went into their Synagogue:

10 And behold, there was a man which had his hand dried up. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal upon a Sabbath day? that they might accuse him.

11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that hath a sheep, and if it fall on the Sabbath day into a pit, doth not take it and lift it out?

12 How much more then is a man better than a sheep? therefore, it is lawful to do well on a Sabbath day.

13 Then said he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth, and it was made whole as the other.

14 [e]Then the Pharisees went out, and consulted against him, how they might destroy him.

15 But when Jesus knew it, he departed thence, and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all,

16 And charged them in threatening wise, that they should not make him known,

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the Prophet, saying,

18 (H)Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul delighteth: I will put my Spirit on him, and he shall show [f]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 [g]bring forth judgment unto victory.

21 And in his Name shall the Gentiles trust.

22 (I)[h]Then was brought to him one possessed with a devil, both blind and dumb, and he healed him, so that he which was blind and dumb, both spake and saw,

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

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, (J)This man casteth the devils no otherwise out but through Beelzebub the prince of devils.

25 [i]But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself, is brought to naught, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.

26 So if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how shall then his kingdom endure?

27 Also if I through 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 is the kingdom of God come unto you.

29 Else how can a man enter into a strong man’s house and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man, and then spoil his house?

30 He that is not with me, is against me: and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth.

31 (K)Wherefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

32 And whosoever shall speak a word against the son of man, it shall be forgiven him: [j]but whosoever shall speak against the holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come.

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

34 [k]O generations of vipers, how can you speak good things, when ye are evil? For of the (L)abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

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

36 But I say unto you, that of every [l]idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof at the day of judgment.

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

38 (M)[m]Then answered certain of the Scribes and of the Pharisees, saying, Master, we would see a sign of thee.

39 But he answered and said to them, An evil and [n]adulterous generation seeketh a sign, but no sign shall be given unto it, save that sign of the Prophet Jonah.

40 (N)For as Jonah 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 [o]The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and condemn it: for they (O)repented at the preaching of Jonah: and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

42 (P)The Queen of the [p]South shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the [q]utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon: and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

43 (Q)Now when the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh throughout dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

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

45 Then he goeth, and taketh unto him seven other spirits worse than himself, and they enter in, and dwell there: (R)and the end of that man is worse than the beginning. Even so shall it be with this wicked generation.

46 [r](S)While he yet spake to the multitude, 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 to him that told him, Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?

49 [s]And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples and said, Behold my mother, and my brethren.

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

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 12:1 Of the true sanctifying of the Sabbath, and the abrogating of it.
  2. Matthew 12:4 The Hebrews call it bread of faces, because it stood before the Lord all the weeks upon the golden table appointed to that service, Lev. 24:6.
  3. Matthew 12:5 When the Priests do God’s service upon the Sabbath day, yet they break not the Law: much less doth the Lord of the Sabbath break the Sabbath.
  4. Matthew 12:9 The ceremonies of the Law are not against the love of our neighbor.
  5. Matthew 12:14 How far and in what respect we may give place to the unbridled rage of the wicked.
  6. Matthew 12:18 By judgment is meant a settled state because Christ was to publish true religion among the Gentiles, and to cast out superstition, which thing wheresoever it is done, the Lord is said to reign and judge there, that is to say, to govern and rule matters.
  7. Matthew 12:20 He shall pronounce sentence and judgment, maugre the world and Satan, and show himself conqueror over all his enemies.
  8. Matthew 12:22 A truth be it never so manifest, is subject to the slander of the wicked: yet notwithstanding it ought to be avouched stoutly.
  9. Matthew 12:25 The kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of the devil cannot consist together.
  10. Matthew 12:32 Of blasphemy against the holy Ghost.
  11. Matthew 12:34 Hypocrites at the length betray themselves even by their own mouth.
  12. Matthew 12:36 Vain and unprofitable trifles which the most part of men spend their lives in.
  13. Matthew 12:38 Against froward desires of miracles.
  14. Matthew 12:39 Bastard, which fell from Abraham’s faith, or forsook the true worship of God.
  15. Matthew 12:41 Christ teacheth by the sorrowful example of the Jews, that there are none more miserable than they which put out the light of the Gospel which was kindled in them.
  16. Matthew 12:42 He meaneth the Queen of Sheba: whose country is South in respect of the land of Israel, 1 Kings 10.
  17. Matthew 12:42 For Sheba is situated in the utmost coast of . . . Arabia at the mouth of the Arabian Sea.
  18. Matthew 12:46 Christ teacheth by his own example, how that all things ought to be set apart in respect of God’s glory.
  19. Matthew 12:49 None are more near unto us, than they that are of the household of faith.

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.