Matthew 12:1-24 ▼

1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath through the grain-fields; and His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain, and to eat.

2 But the Pharisees, seeing it , said to Him, "Behold, Thy disciples are doing that which it is not lawful to do on a sabbath."

3 But He said to them, "Did ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those with him?

4 how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those with him, but only for the priests?

5 Or did ye not read in the law that, on the sabbath, the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?

6 But I say to you, a greater than the temple is here.

7 And, if ye had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' ye would not have condemned the guiltless;

8 for the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath."

9 And, having passed on thence, He came into their synagogue.

10 And, behold, a man having a withered hand; and they questioned Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath?" that they might accuse Him.

11 And He said to them "What man of you who shall have one sheep; and, if this should fall into a pit on the sabbath, will not lay hold of it, and raise it up?

12 How much better, therefore, is a man than a sheep! Therefore, it is lawful to do well on the sabbath."

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

14 But the Pharisees, having gone out, held a consultation against Him, that they might destroy Him.

15 But Jesus, knowing it, withdrew thence; and many followed Him, and He healed them all.

16 And He charged them, that they should not make Him known;

17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

18 "Behold, My servant Whom I chose, My Beloved, in Whom My soul delighted. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare judgment to the gentiles.

19 He will not strive, nor cry aloud; nor will any one hear His voice in the streets:

20 A bruised reed will He not break, and a smoking flax will He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory;

21 And in His name will the gentiles hope."

22 Then there was brought to Him a demoniac, blind, and dumb; and He healed him, so that the dumb man spake and saw.

23 And all the multitudes were amazed, and said, Can this be the Son of David?"

24 But the Pharisees, hearing it, said, "This Man doth not cast out the demons, except by Beelzebub, prince of the demons."