Matthew 12:1-12 ▼

1 At that time Jesus (YHWH saves) went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples (pupils) were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.

2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look (Behold), Your disciples (pupils) are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.

3 Jesus replied, “Have you⁺ not read what David (beloved) did when he and his companions were hungry?

4 He entered the house of God {Theou}, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread (the Bread of the Presence), which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.

5 Or haven’t you⁺ read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

6 But I tell you⁺ that One greater than the temple is here.

7 If only you⁺ had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy (compassion), not sacrifice ,’ you⁺ would not have condemned the innocent.

8 For the Son of Man is Lord {kyrios} of the Sabbath.

9 Moving on from there, Jesus entered their synagogue,

10 and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?

11 He replied, “If one of you⁺ has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?

12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.