Mateus 12
R.C.H. Lenski · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 12
Lenski - What did David do in his need? He went into “the House of God,” which, however, does not mean into the Holy Place or Sanctuary of the Tabernacle but into the courts, where he might freely go; compare Ps. 122. The ἄρτοι τῆς προθέσεως, “the breads of the setting forth” or the showbread, were twelve loaves, each made of about 6¼ pounds of flour and set forth in two rows on a gold-covered table in the Holy Place every Sabbath Day; and when they were removed they were to be eaten only by the priests, Lev. 24:5–9. The bread that David received was not that which was at the time lying in the Holy Place but some that had been removed after having served its sacred purpose. It was God’s own law that made it “unlawful” for any persons but priests to eat this bread; it was not merely a rabbinical dictum such as the Pharisees brought against Jesus to condemn the plucking of a few ears of grain. Jesus overtops the charge of the Pharisees. He proves by David’s own example that even the divine ceremonial law was not intended to be absolute in its application. The rabbinical refinements are disregarded as being unworthy of notice. God cares more for the right spiritual condition of the heart than for the outward observance of his own ceremonial regulations. The argument is overwhelming. David’s hunger sets aside even a divine regulation—shall not the hunger of the disciples set aside mere rabbinical notions? (See The Interpretation of St. Mark's Gospel) And they ate the consecrated bread -The consecrated bread was the bread of the Presence (Hebrew lechem ha-panim), twelve loaves placed before the LORD on the table in the sanctuary (Lev 24:5–8+). It was holy (set apart to God), replaced weekly and normally eaten only by priests. This bread was kept in the Holy Place (the room that led through the veil into the Holy of holies, where the Shekinah Glory was abiding indicating God's presence) and the priests were allowed to eat the bread when they replaced it with new bread. David and his men ate it because there was no other food available (1Sa 21:4–6+). The verb “they ate” emphasizes that David shared it with his companions, extending what was sacred to meet real human need. Consecrated (shewbread, showbread) (4286)(prothesis from protithemai = set before oneself to be looked at) is literally placing before and so it describes the setting forth of something in view, in this context obviously referring to the bread to be placed in the Holy Place. And so it refers to the shewbread ("loaves of presentation") in the Tabernacle and later the Temple which is as it were "exposed before God". The bread before the Presence of the Lord consisted of twelve loaves of wheat bread offered every Sabbath (12 = number of the tribes of Israel) and arranged in two rows on the table before the Holy of Holies and to remain there for seven days. This bread was changed for fresh loaves every sabbath. The old loaves were eaten by the priests (Ex 25:30; 1 Sa 21:6). Kistemaker adds that the Bread of the Presence "symbolized the constant fellowship of the people with their God, receiving their bread from him, eating with him, being consecrated to him, and gratefully acknowledging their indebtedness to him by means of this offering." (BNTC-Mt) Which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone - According to the Mosaic Law Leviticus 24:9+ “It shall be for Aaron and his sons…” Thus, David, being from the tribe of Judah, not Levi, had no legal right to eat this bread. The phrase underscores that, strictly speaking, this act fell outside ceremonial law. Jesus cites this event to show that even Scripture records a case where ceremonial law was set aside in a situation of necessity. The implied logic is that David technically violated a ceremonial restriction, yet he was not condemned because his action arose from genuine need, was permitted by the priest, and ultimately aligned with God’s deeper concern for life and mercy (cf. 1 Sam 21:6; Hos 6:6; Matt 12:7). Jesus is clearly acknowledging that David did what was outwardly unlawful, yet He affirms that David was justified in setting aside a divinely ordained ceremonial restriction when driven by genuine necessity—hunger. In the same way, Jesus’ disciples were hungry and acting out of need. To condemn them would be to condemn David himself. Moreover, unlike David’s case, the disciples were not violating a law of God, but only a rabbinical regulation concerning the Sabbath. NET Note sums up Jesus' reference to David - Jesus’ response to the charge that what his disciples were doing was not lawful is one of analogy: ‘If David did it for his troops in a time of need, then so can I with my disciples.’ Jesus is clear that on the surface there was a violation here. What is not as clear is whether he is arguing a “greater need” makes this permissible or that this was within the intention of the law all along. 🙏 THOUGHT - Do we ever put ourselves in the place of God as judges of other men's actions, only later to find out that their attitudes and/or actions were justified. If we are honest, there is a little bit of "Pharisee" in all of us! Deliver us O God! Amen! CONSECRATED BREAD - SHOWBREAD - The showbread, also called the bread of the Presence, was a central element of worship in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, symbolizing God’s continual provision and covenant relationship with Israel. It was placed on a specially constructed table located in the Holy Place, described in Exodus 25:23–30 and Ex 37:10–16, positioned on the right side as one entered, opposite the lampstand, with the altar of incense directly ahead before the veil. The bread itself consisted of twelve large loaves (Lev 24:5–9), representing the twelve tribes of Israel and signifying that the entire nation lived continually before the Lord and depended on His sustaining provision (Ex 25:30; 2 Chr 2:4). These loaves were replaced every Sabbath, and the previous week’s bread, having been consecrated, was eaten by the priests (Lev 24:9), showing both the holiness of the offering and God’s provision for those who served Him. The bread was carefully prepared by the Levites (1 Chr 9:32; 23:29) and supported by the community (Neh 10:32–33), emphasizing its ongoing and communal significance. It was also called “hallowed (consecrated) bread” (1 Sam 21:6), highlighting its sacred status, though in a moment of necessity David ate it, an act later referenced by Jesus to demonstrate that human need and mercy can take precedence over ceremonial restriction (Matt 12:3–4; Mark 2:25–26; Luke 6:3–4). Altogether, the showbread functioned as a continual testimony that Israel was sustained by God, lived in His presence, and was called to ongoing fellowship and dependence upon Him. Vincent on the consecrated bread - Lit., the loaves of proposition, i.e., the loaves which were set forth before the Lord. The Jews called them the loaves of the face, i.e., of the presence of God. The bread was made of the finest wheaten flour that had been passed through eleven sieves. There were twelve loaves, or cakes, according to the number of tribes, ranged in two piles of six each. Each cake was made of about five pints of wheat. They were anointed in the middle with oil, in the form of a cross. According to tradition, each cake was five hand-breadths broad and ten long, but turned up at either end, two hand-breadths on each side, to resemble in outline the ark of the covenant. The shewbread was prepared on Friday, unless that day happened to be a feast-day that required sabbatical rest; in which case it was prepared on Thursday afternoon. The renewal of the shewbread was the first of the priestly functions on the commencement of the Sabbath. The bread which was taken off was deposited on the golden table in the porch of the sanctuary, and distributed among the outgoing and incoming courses of priests (compare save for the priests). It was eaten during the Sabbath, and in the temple itself, but only by such priests as were Levitically pure. This old bread, removed on the Sabbath morning, was that which David ate. NET Note - Each loaf was made from 3 quarts (3.5 liters; Heb “two tenths of an ephah”) of fine flour. The loaves were placed on a table in the holy place of the tabernacle, on the north side opposite the lampstand (Ex 26:35). It was the duty of the priest each Sabbath to place fresh bread on the table; the loaves from the previous week were then given to Aaron and his descendants, who ate them in the holy place, because they were considered sacred (Lev 24:9+). These were the loaves that David requested from Ahimelech for himself and his men (1 Sa 21:1–6; cf. also Mt 12:1–8; Mark 2:23–28). Rod Mattoon - The shewbread was called the "Bread of the Presence," or the "Bread of the Face," because it was laid before the Lord in the Tabernacle every Sabbath morning. It was also called the "continual bread" because there was always bread on the table in God's presence. The placing of the bread in God's official presence symbolized the fact that God was the source of Israel's strength and nourishment and reminded them of their dependence upon the Lord for everything, physical and spiritual. The Lord continues to be our source of strength today. We too, are to be dependent upon Him for all of our needs. These twelve loaves of bread were baked with flour that was sifted no fewer than eleven times. It was pure, heavy bread, not like what we get at the store today. Two omers, or 41/2 to 5 quarts of flour were used in each loaf of bread. The combined weight of the bread alone was 90-100 pounds. The loaves were kneaded one at a time. In the Temple, the dough was made in one mold and shaped in a second mold for baking. A third mold was used to keep it whole. The height of the bread was seven fingers. Each loaf of bread represented a tribe of Israel. The loaves were laid on a table of solid gold that was three feet long and one and a half feet wide. The height was the same as the Ark of the Covenant. This reminds us that the same grace which grants us mercy (ark) also allows fellowship and provision (table of shewbread) to maintain the Christian life. The table was also constructed with a double crown all the way around it, giving it elegance and beauty. This crown also held the bread in place. The bread stood for the presence of God and no one but the priests were to eat of this bread. At the end of the week, the bread would be replaced with fresh loaves, and the old loaves were reserved for the priests to eat. There were two tables in the hall entrance to the Holy Place. One was marble and one was gold. There was one table of shewbread in the actual Holy Place. Eight priests were involved in changing the bread. Four priests removed the bread and four replaced the new bread. The new bread was placed on a marble table which was cool. During this replacement process, the bread was removed and replaced at the same moment. The table of shewbread always had bread on it. The old bread was placed on the gold table in the hall. Going from marble to gold taught the people they were to always go up, and not to go down or digress. They were to always be steadfast and never retreat. Whatever was holy must be honored. This is why the old bread was placed on the gold table. This bread was eaten by the priests. On one occasion, the high priest gave this special bread to David and his men to eat as they were fleeing from Saul. The priest understood that their need was more important than ceremonial regulations. The loaves given to David were the old loaves that had just been replaced with fresh ones. Although the priests were the only ones allowed to eat this bread, God did not punish David because his need for food was more important than the priestly regulations. This is the same message that Jesus was trying to get across to these Pharisees. By comparing Himself, and His disciples to David and his men, Jesus was saying, in effect, "If you condemn me, you must also condemn David." Jesus was not condoning disobedience to God's laws. Instead, He was emphasizing discernment and compassion in enforcing the ceremonial laws, something the self-righteous Pharisees did not comprehend. He was stressing the importance of helping people. For doing this, He was opposed. We see here the divine principle that "human needs" must not be subjected to cold legalism and that God desires "mercy, not sacrifice." (Hos 6:6KJV) (Treasures from the Scriptures ) QUESTION - What was the bread of the Presence? GOTQUESTIONS.ORG ANSWER - The bread of the Presence (also called the showbread or shewbread in some translations) was special bread always present on a table in the tabernacle (and later in the temple). Leviticus 24:5–7 describes this bread: “You shall take fine flour and bake twelve loaves from it; two tenths of an ephah shall be in each loaf. And you shall set them in two piles, six in a pile, on the table of pure gold before the Lord. And you shall put pure frankincense on each pile, that it may go with the bread as a memorial portion as a food offering to the Lord.” This bread of the Presence was 1) made of fine flour, 2) baked in 12 loaves, 3) arranged in two piles of six loaves each on a table of pure gold, 4) covered with frankincense, and 5) served as a memorial food offering to the Lord. The bread could only be eaten by Aaron and his sons in a holy place and was set out every Sabbath day (Leviticus 24:8–9). The bread of the Presence is first mentioned in Exodus 25:30. God instructed for it to be placed on the golden table in the tabernacle. The bread is also listed in the contributions for the tabernacle in Exodus 35:13 and noted as part of the completed tabernacle in Exodus 39:36. In Numbers 4 the Kohathites, who were sons of Levi, were given responsibility for the care of the table of showbread. 1 Chronicles 9:32 says, “Also some of their kinsmen of the Kohathites had charge of the showbread, to prepare it every Sabbath.” This bread was likely prepared on each Friday and placed in the tabernacle on each Sabbath in two piles of six. It would be replenished each week, allowing the priests to eat fresh bread in the holy place. At one point in David’s life, when he was on the run from Saul, he asked the priest Ahimelech for food. The priest gave David the bread of the Presence, since it was the only bread available (1 Samuel 21:1–6). David was not a priest, so it was technically unlawful for him to eat the showbread. Jesus later refers to this event, using it as proof that the Law was designed for man’s benefit, and that Christ is Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1–8; Mark 2:25–27; Luke 6:3–5). The Old Testament showbread placed on the table in the tabernacle provides a wonderful picture of Jesus, the Bread of Life. Jesus is holy before God, He provides true sustenance, and He is always present. “Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry’” (John 6:35). One other New Testament reference, Hebrews 9:1–2, mentions the table of showbread as one of the items in the first section of the tabernacle. Also included in that place was the lampstand. Verse 15 notes, “Therefore [Jesus] is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.” The context explains that the important aspects of the Jewish law were no longer necessary since Christ has become high priest once and for all. Matthew 12:5 “Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? NET Matthew 12:5 Or have you not read in the law that the priests in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are not guilty? GNT Matthew 12:5 ἢ οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε ἐν τῷ νόμῳ ὅτι τοῖς σάββασιν οἱ ἱερεῖς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ τὸ σάββατον βεβηλοῦσιν καὶ ἀναίτιοί εἰσιν; NLT Matthew 12:5 And haven't you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? KJV Matthew 12:5 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? ESV Matthew 12:5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? NIV Matthew 12:5 Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? ASV Matthew 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless? CSB Matthew 12:5 Or haven't you read in the Law that on Sabbath days the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? NKJ Matthew 12:5 "Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? NRS Matthew 12:5 Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? YLT Matthew 12:5 'Or did ye not read in the Law, that on the sabbaths the priests in the temple do profane the sabbath, and are blameless? on the Sabbath: Nu 28:9,10 Joh 7:22,23 break the Sabbath Ne 13:17 Eze 24:21 Matthew 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Parallel Passages: Matthew 12:1-8 No parallel passages in Mark 2:23-28 Luke 6:1-5 Priests Changing Showbread each Sabbath THE EXAMPLE OF WORK OF THE PRIESTS ON THE SABBATH The drawing depicts the priests removing the old consecrated bread and replacing with the new consecrated bread on the Sabbath. The priests were then allowed to eat the old consecrated bread. Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent (anaitios)? - This argument to defend His disciples' action is found only in Matthew. For background recall the Torah stated clearly that "the seventh day is a Sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you." (Ex 20:10, cf Dt 5:14). And yet the Pharisees knew that on the Sabbath the priests were kept very busy (Lev. 24:8, 9; Nu. 28:9, 10; 1 Chr. 9:32; 23:31; 2 Chr. 8:12–14; 23:4; 31:2, 3)! Indeed, they worked very hard on the Sabbath to make possible the proper worship of God. For example, Moses records "Then on the sabbath day two male lambs one year old without defect, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and its drink offering: ‘This is the burnt offering of every sabbath in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.: (Nu 28:9,10) William
Mateus 12
Lenski has an excellent comment - The principle back of all that God ordered in his law regarding the Sabbath was that it might be a blessing for man. This day afforded man physical rest and, still more important, time to attend to his spiritual needs. But the Jews had inverted this. They treated man as if he had been created for the purpose of keeping the Sabbath laws. The Sabbath had to be kept, no matter how man fared, whereas God intended that man should be blessed—by the Sabbath, of course, but, if necessary, even at the expense of the Sabbath. (See The Interpretation of St. Mark's Gospel) Matthew 12:6 “But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. NET Matthew 12:6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. GNT Matthew 12:6 λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν ὅτι τοῦ ἱεροῦ μεῖζόν ἐστιν ὧδε. NLT Matthew 12:6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! KJV Matthew 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. ESV Matthew 12:6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. NIV Matthew 12:6 I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. ASV Matthew 12:6 But I say unto you, that one greater than the temple is here. CSB Matthew 12:6 But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here! NKJ Matthew 12:6 "Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. NRS Matthew 12:6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. YLT Matthew 12:6 and I say to you, that a greater than the temple is here; Mt 12:41,42 23:17-21 2Ch 6:18 Hag 2:7-9 Mal 3:1 Joh 2:19-21 Eph 2:20-22 Col 2:9 1Pe 2:4,5 Matthew 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Parallel Passages: Matthew 12:1-8 No parallel passages in Mark 2:23-28 Luke 6:1-5 THE SABBATH POINTS TO CHRIST But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here - The Pharisees would have been forced to acknowledge that the Temple in a sense "sanctified" certain types of work by the priests on the Sabbath. The word Jesus uses for Temple is hieron which refers to the total structure of the Temple which would include the naos, the inner sanctuary. Jesus is greater than the Temple, for it is only a building. But in John "Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body." (John 2:19-21+)
Mateus 12
Lenski - your sons drive out devils by means of devils—how, then, can you object to my using the help of the chief of devils—your own sons will convict you of injustice. For this reason they will be your judges -They is emphatic - they themselves "shall convict you either of being yourselves in league with Beelzebul, or of unreasonable and wicked conduct in accusing another of league with him for doing what they claim to do." (Broadus) Hendriksen offers an excellent explanation - "Let the “sons” then judge whether or not what their teachers said about the source of Jesus’ power to drive out demons was correct. If these sons should deem the charge to be correct, affirming therefore that he was actually expelling demons by the power of the demons, they would be condemning themselves. On the other hand, if they judge the charge to be false they are condemning their teachers and vindicating Jesus. Either way their verdict would be very embarrassing to Christ’s opponents. The slander spread by the adversaries was not a slight deviation from a factual presentation but a wicked obscuration. It was the very opposite of the truth, for not by the power of an evil spirit but by the Spirit of God did Jesus cast out demons. How could it be otherwise?" (BNTC-Mt) Matthew 12:28 “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. NET Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has already overtaken you. GNT Matthew 12:28 εἰ δὲ ἐν πνεύματι θεοῦ ἐγὼ ἐκβάλλω τὰ δαιμόνια, ἄρα ἔφθασεν ἐφ᾽ ὑμᾶς ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ. NLT Matthew 12:28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. KJV Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. ESV Matthew 12:28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. NIV Matthew 12:28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. ASV Matthew 12:28 But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. CSB Matthew 12:28 If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. NKJ Matthew 12:28 "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. NRS Matthew 12:28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. YLT Matthew 12:28 'But if I, by the Spirit of God, do cast out the demons, then come already unto you did the reign of God. NAB Matthew 12:28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. NJB Matthew 12:28 But if it is through the Spirit of God that I drive out devils, then be sure that the kingdom of God has caught you unawares. GWN Matthew 12:28 But if I force demons out with the help of God's Spirit, then the kingdom of God has come to you. BBE Matthew 12:28 But if I by the Spirit of God send out evil spirits, then is the kingdom of God come on you. I cast: Mt 12:18 Mk 16:17 Lu 11:20 Ac 10:38 then: Mt 6:33 21:31,43 Isa 9:6,7 Da 2:44 Da 7:14 Mk 1:15 Mk 11:10 Lu 1:32,33 9:2 10:11 11:20 16:16 17:20,21 Ro 14:17 Col 1:13 Heb 12:28 Matthew 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Parallel Passage: Luke 11:20+ "But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. But -This contrast is between two "IF'S" - the "IF" of Mt 12:27 and the "IF" in this passage! Jesus now contrasts the correct view of how He expelled the demons! If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God - First class conditional, so one could read it "if as is the case" or "since I cast out demons..." There is not even a hint of doubt that Jesus is casting out the demons by the Spirit of God. "Since by the Spirit of God I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." Jesus having demolished their scandalous charge that He was empowered by Satan, now gives the true source of His power, the Spirit of God. The parallel passage in Luke 11:20+ says "But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." From this we can conclude that the Spirit of God is the same as the finger of God. The fact that Jesus was casting out demons by the Spirit of God was evidence indeed that the kingdom of God had come upon the people of that generation. The kingdom had come in the Person of the King Himself. The very fact that the Lord Jesus was there, performing such miracles, was proof positive that God's anointed Ruler had appeared upon the stage of history.
Mateus 12
Lenski - All three divine persons are active in Jesus’ work (Mt 3:22; 4:1, 2; 4:18; Matt. 12:18), and it is the third person whose special task it is to build the kingdom on earth. Jesus says “finger" not hand or arm, which indicates that it took only a motion of God’s finger to make the demons flee. It is to be noted that in expelling demons Jesus used no more than a word, and every word of his is filled with the Spirit. (ISLG) Notice once again Jesus' dependence of the power of the Spirit of God to fulfill His ministry. So from the very inception of His ministry we see that "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit (cf Lk 5:17+) and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district." (Lk 4:14+). Peter declares "you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed (Mt 3:16-18+). “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:37-38+) THOUGHT - Jesus as a Man ministered in the power of the Spirit and in so doing He left us the perfect example of the perfect Man (1 Pe 2:21+) so we as imperfect men might be enabled to live a powerful life in the Spirit. Unlike Him, we will fall and fail from time to time, but we should never be discouraged by our failure but repent, confess, stand up and march out again enabled by the Spirit, shouting "Hallelujah! Thank You Lord." Paul encouraged us (1Cor 11:1+, cf 1 John 2:6+) See Walk Like Jesus Walked. Then - A strategic marker of time in this context. What the people and Pharisees had just witnessed was a clash of two kingdoms, the Kingdom of darkness headed by Satan and the Kingdom of light headed by King Jesus, and the latter proved beyond doubt that it was (and is forever) superior! Light always exposes and in a sense "defeats" darkness! THOUGHT - This is a precious truth to all believers, a truth which should motivate us to continually be "giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light, for He (God the Father by His Spirit) rescued us from the domain (the right and the might) of darkness (Kingdom of Satan), and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son." (Can I hear a "Hallelujah!" and an "Amen!" (Col 1:12-13+). May God's Spirit continually supernaturally enable us to walk victoriously as children of light (Eph 5:8+, 1 Th 5:4-10+, 1 Jn 1:7) for the glory of the Light of the world, King Jesus (Jn 8:12). Amen Lenski - Jesus means: you should welcome this rule and open your hearts to its grace. Only devilish minds could deny what was so evident and would attempt to oppose that rule.(ISLG) The Kingdom of God has come upon you - This is Matthew's first use of this great phrase Kingdom of God, the very Kingdom for which the Jews had been anxiously waiting and looking. We see this sense of Messianic Kingdom expectancy even in the 11 disciples in Acts when they asked the resurrected Jesus "“Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6+) At the beginning of His Jesus proclaimed "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (repent and believe are both present imperative only possible as we are enabled to obey by the Holy Spirit) (Mk 1:15+) That TIME (kairos = "season" "opportunity") had arrived! THOUGHT - The preceding truth begs the question "Are you redeeming (buying up) the time, the opportunities in this age as we await our King's return? (Eph 5:16+) Don't be foolish but understand that this is God's will for you (Eph 5:17+). Stop playing with trinkets and toys and order your steps with an eternal perspective, for the night cometh when no man can work! Be filled continually with His Spirit (Eph 5:18+) and you will be ever ready to redeem the precious opportunities your Father provides. This is your chance of a lifetime. Don't waste it! Don't blow it! In Heaven every tear will be wiped away (cf Rev 7:17+, Rev 21:4+), which begs the question "Why are there tears in Heaven?" Could it be that you and I will have a tear when we realize what how we could have spent our life and stored up for ourselves treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and thief does not break in and steal (Mt 6:19-20+). Remember that where your treasure is, there too is your heart! If your treasure is on earth, so is your heart (Mt 6:21+). May God's Spirit do radical CPR on you today if your heart is tethered to time more than eternity, in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen. (See Redeem the Time). The Kingdom of God - One must understand that there are (at least) two phases to the Kingdom of God. The first phase is the invisible, internal Kingdom of God and which He later described as "in your midst” (Lk 17:21+), the Kingdom in which the King reigns in the heart of the person who has accepted Jesus as Messiah. To proclaim the Kingdom of God is to preach the Gospel, to proclaim the good news of salvation, explaining how one can enter the Kingdom of God. (Jn 3:3-16+) When the King returns on "the day that the Son of Man is revealed (apokalupto)," (Lk 17:30+) the heart of every person will also be revealed as to whether they sought the kingdom of "self" or the kingdom of the Savior! The future phase of the Kingdom of God is known as the Messianic Age or the Millennial Kingdom.(See detailed explanation of Jesus' meaning of the Kingdom of God in notes on Luke 17:20-21). Jesus knew the Jews were looking for the future aspect of the Kingdom of God, (cf Mt 20:21 and Acts 1:6+) but His preaching and that of His disciples was to explain how one could enter the invisible aspect of the Kingdom of God in the present and in that way they would be assured of experiencing the visible Kingdom of God in the future. All of this talk about the Kingdom begs one question dear reader -- Have you entered the Kingdom of God by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of that Kingdom? If not today could be the best day of your life (2 Cor 6:2). Bock on kingdom of God has come - Jesus says the miracles are evidences of the arrival of God’s promised, redemptive rule. They are audiovisual testimony to God’s power and rule....The key term in the verse is ephthasen (from phthano), “has come.”....The miracles trumpet the arrival of God’s ruling power in such a way that Satan’s display of power on earth is challenged and is in the process of being defeated.To say the kingdom has arrived is not to argue that consummation has come, only that its presence has begun. The process of establishing kingdom authority is a long one, as Jesus will reveal, and it will take his return to bring the full promise of the kingdom to completion....God is breaking peacefully into the creation through Jesus to reclaim humanity from Satan’s grip. Jesus overcomes the presence and power of evil in the world. His power is greater than that of demons. He is stronger than Satan. His power and authority reverse the effect of sin. This exercise of power through Jesus is why Paul can call the gospel “the power of God” in Romans 1:16–17+. The story of the gospel is the story of how Satan, sin and the flesh are overcome through Jesus’ provision of the Spirit (1 Th 1:5+). So Paul calls the kingdom of God a matter of power (1 Cor 4:20) as well as justice, peace and joy inspired by the Spirit (Ro 14:17). And Ephesians 1:15–2:10 and Eph 6:10–18+ refer to the battle we have against the forces of evil and note how Jesus has a position of authority over them. These theological realities are pictured in Jesus’ words.” (IVPNTC-Lk) (IN LIGHT OF THESE TRUTHS - Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." Eph 6:13+) Has come (aorist tense past tense not is coming, not merely on its way but already in their midst!) (5348)(phthano) originally meant to precede someone, to come before or to anticipate (as in 1Th 4:15+). Over time phthano begin to lose the idea of priority and to mean simply to come to or to arrive at. The idea is to come to a particular state or to arrive at a goal and so to attain it. In Mt 12:28+ "“But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." Phthano pictures progress along a road to a certain point. Broadus writes "The idea then is, the kingdom of God, the Messianic Dispensation, has made its appearance in your presence. (Comp. Luke 17:20, 21+)" Matthew 12:29 “Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. NET Matthew 12:29 How else can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can thoroughly plunder the house. GNT Matthew 12:29 ἢ πῶς δύναταί τις εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν τοῦ ἰσχυροῦ καὶ τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ ἁρπάσαι, ἐὰν μὴ πρῶτον δήσῃ τὸν ἰσχυρόν; καὶ τότε τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ διαρπάσει. NLT Matthew 12:29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger-- someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. KJV Matthew 12:29 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. ESV Matthew 12:29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. NIV Matthew 12:29 "Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house. ASV Matthew 12:29 Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. CSB Matthew 12:29 How can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house. NKJ Matthew 12:29 "Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. NRS Matthew 12:29 Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. YLT Matthew 12:29 'Or how is one able to go into the house of the strong man, and to plunder his goods, if first he may not bind the strong man? and then his house he will plunder. NAB Matthew 12:29 How can anyone enter a strong man's house and steal his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. NJB Matthew 12:29 'Or again, how can anyone make his way into a strong man's house and plunder his property unless he has first tied up the strong man? Only then can he plunder his house. GWN Matthew 12:29 How can anyone go into a strong man's house and steal his property? First he must tie up the strong man. Then he can go through his house and steal his property. BBE Matthew 12:29 Or how may one go into a strong man's house and take his goods, if he does not first put cords round the strong man? and then he may take his goods. Isa 49:24 53:12 Mk 3:27 Lu 11:21,22 1Jn 3:8 4:4 Rev 12:7-10 Rev 20:1-3,7-9 Matthew 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Parallel Passages: Mark 3:27+ “But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. Luke 11:21; 22+ “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. “But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. BINDING THE STRONG MAN This passage connects with Mt 12:25. Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property - So what is the answer? Of course not! Jesus is demolishing the accusations of the scribes with His incisive pristine logic! Who is the strong man in context? This is the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2+), Satan the ruler of the demons and Kingdom of darkness. Unless he first binds the strong man? -A burglar does not saunter into a home and get the owner's help to burgle it! Absurd! First he ties up the owner. The point is that Jesus, the Light of the world, defeats, Satan the king of darkness. And He did it once and for all time on the Cross, the writer of Hebrews assuring us that "since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself (JESUS) likewise also partook of the same, that through death (THE CROSS) He might render powerless (katargeo) him who had the power of death, that is, the devil (diabolos), and might free (apallasso) those who through fear of death were subject (enochos) to slavery (douleia) all their lives." (Heb 2:14-15+) "Hallelujah!" Broadus - This is a general truth, with an obvious application to the matter in hand. Jesus was taking away from Satan a part of his property, in delivering the demoniacs, and this could not be unless he were at variance with Satan, and strong enough to bind him.
Mateus 12
Lenski - this sin cannot be pardoned because it shuts out the very possibility of repentance. Other sins and other blasphemies do not render repentance impossible. It is the Spirit who works repentance, and to blaspheme him bars out him and his work. The point to be noted, however, is that, as far as the symptom of blasphemy is concerned, this need not name the Spirit in its vicious utterance, it may name only Jesus and yet be against the Spirit.We are unable to judge which blasphemer has gone too far and placed himself beyond remission already in this life; all we can say is that he who fears that he has committed this sin by that very fear furnishes evidence that he has not done so. This sin cannot be committed inadvertently or unconsciously. Its commission is possible only where the Spirit has come upon a man through the Word and has been recognized as God's Spirit with his divine grace and power to save. When a man deliberately answers him with blasphemy he puts himself forever beyond the Spirit's reach, into the unalterable condition of the devils and of the damned in hell. This sin thus constitutes his character indelebilis. (The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel) John Walvoord - The Pharisees had to make a choice. They were either with Jesus or against Him. But if they were against Him, they were guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, a sin which by its nature is not forgiven (Mt 12:31–32). There has been much misunderstanding about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Here it is properly defined as attributing to Satan what is accomplished by the power of God. Such a sin is not unpardonable in itself, but rather because it rejects the person and work of the Holy Spirit, without whom repentance and restoration are impossible. As far as it applies today, it is not the thought that one seeking pardon will not find it, but rather that one who rejects the Holy Spirit will not seek pardon. It is the ultimate in unbelief. (Matthew Commentary) John Walvoord - This declaration of Christ has raised the question as to whether there are some sins that are not subject to pardon. The point is that if they reject the demonstration that Christ is the Son of God on the basis of the miracles He performs, they are denying what the Holy Spirit is using to bring conviction and faith; and as long as they do this, their sins are not subject to being pardoned. In the twentieth century this sin is no longer possible because no one is a witness to these miracles, but the principle abides that rejecting the ministry of the Holy Spirit to an individual can lead to his confirmed unbelief. The rejection of the very instrument which God uses to bring faith can only result in the penalty assigned to unbelievers. (Every Prophecy of the Bible) ESV Study Bible - The sin is attributing to Satan what is accomplished by the power of God, and doing this through the flagrant, willful, and persistent rejection of God and his commands. This sin is committed today only by unbelievers who deliberately and unchangeably reject the ministry of the Holy Spirit in calling them to salvation. Spiros Zodhiates - According to verse 31, any sin or blasphemy against the Son of man can be forgiven. Even on the cross, Jesus asked His Father to forgive those crucifying Him. But blasphemy against the One who reveals the truth about Christ cannot be forgiven. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit would come, "He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8). The one who irrevocably rejects this conviction has no recourse: It "shall absolutely not [ouk 3756}; the absolute negative used in both Mt 12:31, 32] be forgiven him" (a.t.). Those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, "neither in this age [aiṓn 165, age, including the prevailing philosophy] nor in the coming one [méllonti {3195}, the one impending, coming soon]" (a.t.). What people embrace as truth in this life will follow them into eternity. "As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). (Exegetical Commentary on Matthew) Brian Bill has two quotes - Matt Chandler puts it: “The blasphemy of the Spirit is the knowledgeable, willful and continued rebellion against the ministry of the Holy Spirit.” Sam Storms adds, “It is not a careless act but a calloused attitude…it is not mere denial, but determined denial; not mere rejection, but wanton, willful, wicked, wide-eyed rejection.” It’s a deliberate refusal of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. (Mark 3:20-30 The Unforgivable Sin) John