All signs point to Jesus: a journey through the book of Matthew, week 9, chapter 12.

 

CHAPTER 12

Questions for chapter 12. Again , read the chapter, meditate on it, then try answering the questions on your own before going to the answers. This week, I’ve left my commentary at the end. 

What were the Pharisees getting wrong about the Sabbath?

What lesson did Jesus teach through His hypothetical question about a Pharisee’s sheep?

Looking back at Jesus’ answers to the Pharisees in verses 1–8, how did Jesus avoid quarreling or crying out in anger?

What is the sin against the Holy Spirit?

Who was Jesus addressing in these verses, and why did He call them a “brood of vipers”?

What is the sign of Jonah Jesus spoke of?

What is Jesus describing as He talks about a demon returning to a person from whom it was driven?

Wasn’t Jesus sinning against His mother and family when He rejected them for His hearers?

The Pharisees charge Jesus’ disciples with breaking the Sabbath laws.

Read 12:1–8.

Q 58:

A 58:

What were the Pharisees getting wrong about the Sabbath?

Their focus was wrong. They saw this day of rest as a day for humans to cease working in order to avoid punishment from God, so they built all kinds of rules around the commandment that defined what was work and what was not. Jesus taught that the Sabbath was a day when humans rested so God could work in their hearts and souls through His Word and Sacrament.

The Pharisees look for a way to accuse Jesus of violating the Sabbath.

Read 12:9–14.

Q 59:

A 59:

What lesson did Jesus teach through His hypothetical question about a Pharisee’s sheep?

The Pharisees’ interpretation of the Sabbath was overly strict, going far beyond God’s intention for His people to rest from their daily chores so He could work in their hearts through Word and Sacrament. Instead of learning the truth from Jesus’ answer, the Pharisees were furious and sought a way to put Jesus to death.

Rather than continue confronting the Pharisees, Jesus withdraws and continues His teaching and healing ministry.

Read 12:15–21.

Q 60:

A 60:

Looking back at Jesus’ answers to the Pharisees in verses 1–8, how did Jesus avoid quarreling or crying out in anger?

Jesus’ answers were respectful, carefully considered, and avoided directly humiliating the Pharisees. When He felt the tension rising, He withdrew rather than letting an argument escalate. By doing this, He kept the Pharisees from dominating all His time and hijacking His ministry.

Jesus is accused of driving out demons by the power of Satan.

Read 12:22–32.

Q 61: What is the sin against the Holy Spirit?

A 61: It is continually resisting the work of the Holy Spirit, who is working to bring repentance and create faith in each person when they hear the Gospel. Anyone who fears he or she might have sinned against the Holy Spirit has not committed this sin. It includes having a continuously hard heart and either indifference or outright hostility toward God.

Our words reveal the condition of our hearts.

Read 12:33–37.

Q 62:

A 62:

Who was Jesus addressing in these verses, and why did He call them a “brood of vipers”?

Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees who tried to discredit His words and work by accusing Him of doing His miraculous works by the power of Satan. “Brood of vipers” means offspring of snakes—that is, baby snakes whose parent is the ancient serpent in the Garden of Eden: Satan. They were letting Satan blind them to Jesus’ true identity as God’s Son, their rightful High Priest, King, and Savior and trying to turn the people against Him. But Jesus’ words are also warnings for us to watch carefully what we say, lest we lead others astray by thoughtless, hasty words.

The scribes and Pharisees demand a grand, miraculous sign.

Read 12:38–42.

Q 63:

A 63:

What is the sign of Jonah Jesus spoke of?

The prophet Jonah was thrown into the Mediterranean Sea, where he was swallowed by a great fish and remained in the belly of that fish for three days and three nights until the fish threw him up on dry ground. When Jesus died on the cross, He would be buried

in the belly of the earth for three days and three nights, and then come out alive because of His resurrection. Whenever we look for proof of Jesus’ identity outside of His death and resurrection, we are missing the boat.

Jesus warns against relapsing into Satan’s power.

Read 12:43–45.

Q 64:

A 64:

What is Jesus describing as He talks about a demon returning to a person from whom it was driven?

Jesus has come and loosened Satan’s hold on God’s people. But unless they permit Christ to take possession of their hearts and lives, Satan will return and their condition will be worse than it was before—and their punishment in hell far more severe. Likewise, we need to be sure to attend to the Word and Sacraments so Christ can possess us, lest Satan return and reclaim us.

Jesus considers believers to be His true family.

© 2019 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®.

Read 12:46–50.

Q 65:

A 65:

Wasn’t Jesus sinning against His mother and family when He rejected them for His hearers?

No. This same account is recorded in Mark 3:20–35. Verses 20–21 of Mark’s passage give us an important understanding of what

His family was doing there. “Then He went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when His family heard it, they went out to seize Him, for they were saying, ‘He is out of His mind.’” At this point in time, some of Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him, so He distanced Himself from them for this time, and embraced those who believed. Later, many of these brothers became leaders in the Church. James was a leader of the Church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:12–21) and wrote the New Testament letter called James. Jesus’ brother Judas wrote the letter called Jude.

MY COMMENTARY: 

What does this chapter of Matthew point to Jesus as?  In this chapter we learn more about who Jesus is.  

In verses 1-14, we learn that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.  As legalists, the Pharisees added to the requirements of the Law and missed the heart of the law.  Jesus is greater than the tabernacle and greater than the temple. The way to become right before God is not through following certain rules and regulations. It through faith in Jesus and trusting him as our Lord!  

In verses 15-21, we learn that Jesus is servant of God. He is loved by the father and filled of the Spirit.  He is servant of sinners.  He is hope for the hurting. 

In verses 22-36, we learn that Jesus is the power of God. The Pharisees make an unreasonable accusation but the kingdom of god is here. The one who is stronger is here. God is here. And what of this unforgivable sin?  This certainly stopped me twice and would stop anybody if you don’t want to be caught doing it.  The sin against the Holy Spirit is a sin of the heart. It is blatantly going against the Spirit and what God’s will is. God knows what is in a person’s heart.  So if you already professed your belief in Jesus Christ as your Lord, then you can not commit this sin.  The Pharisees continued to be hard hearted after all they have seen and held the willful unbelief. 

In verse 38-41, we learn that Jesus is the Greater prophet.  Notice how Jonah’s three days in the fish mirrors Jesus three days in the grave.  Ninevites repented, but Israelites still rejected.

In verse 42, we learn that Jesus is the wiser King. 

In verse 43-49, we learn that Jesus is our elder brother.  Like the empty house Jesus talks about, we don’t need an empty religion consumed by other religion. 

We need an intimate relationship compelled by inner transformation. 

Which attribute of Jesus spoke to you the most?  

For me, it was the one in the first verses, Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.  Sometimes I worry about doing the RIGHT thing. I also question if this is ‘biblical’ with risk of getting too legalistic all the while forgetting if its spiritual or what's the real heart behind it. What is my real honest motivation? This might lead me to become judgmental of myself and others.  If I trust in Jesus first and let the Holy Spirit lead me, then I can greater reflect his mercy. That is my sacrifice. 

‘I want to show mercy, not offer sacrifices’.  v. 7