Matthew 12:1-24 ▼

1 At that time as Jesus pass'd through the corn on the sabbath day, his disciples being hungry, pluck'd the ears of corn, and fell to eating.

2 the Pharisees seeing that, said to him, see, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath-day.

3 he answer'd them, have ye not read what David and the rest of the company did when they were hungry,

4 how he entred into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which it was not lawful either for him or his company to eat, but only for the priests?

5 or have ye not observed in the law, what a work the priests made in the temple on the sabbath-day, without being blamed?

6 now I tell you, that the work now in hand, is of greater consequence than that of the temple.

7 if ye had known the meaning of that expression, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice," ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

8 for the sabbath is subservient to men.

9 At his departure thence, he went into their synagogue.

10 where they brought a man with a withered hand: and asked him this insnaring question, is it lawful to heal on the sabbath-day?

11 and he answer'd, which of you all that should have one of his sheep fall into a pit on the sabbath-day, would not bestir himself, and lift it out?

12 is not a man of much greater consequence than a sheep? how lawful then is it to do good offices on the sabbath-day?

13 then saith he to the man, stretch out thy hand: and be stretched it out; and it was made as sound as the other.

14 Upon this the Pharisees went out of the synagogue, and form'd a conspiracy against his life.

15 but Jesus perceiving their design, withdrew himself thence, accompany'd by great multitudes, and he healed all their sick,

16 charging them not to discover him.

17 so that what was said by Esaias the prophet, was fulfill'd;

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 justice to the nations.

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 smoaking flax shall he not quench, till he hath made justice victorious.

21 and in his name shall the Gentiles trust."

22 Then they brought to him a demoniac, who was both blind and dumb: and he cured him so effectually, that he recovered both his speech and his sight;

23 which made the people cry out with amazement, "Is not this the son of David?"

24 but the Pharisees upon hearing this said, he exorcizes devils, by virtue only of Beelzebub the prince of the devils.