Sabbath controversies intensify as Jesus defends His disciples' grain-plucking by appealing to David's precedent and priestly exemption, declaring Himself Lord of the Sabbath and that the Son of Man desires mercy over sacrifice. After healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, the Pharisees conspire to destroy Jesus, who withdraws and fulfills Isaiah's servant prophecy of quiet, non-contentious ministry bringing justice to the nations. The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is pronounced unforgivable when Pharisees attribute Jesus' exorcisms to Beelzebub, Jesus demands the sign-seeking generation receive only the sign of Jonah, and He redefines His true family as those who do His Father's will.
Read Matthew Chapter 12 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
The Temple
View on MapThe Temple in Jerusalem was the permanent house of worship built by Solomon on Mount Moriah. Destroyed by Babylon, it was rebuilt by Zerubbabel and later greatly expanded by Herod. Jesus taught in the Temple courts, cleared it of merchants, and predicted its destruction, which occurred in 70 AD.
Nineveh
View on MapNineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its cruelty and wickedness. God sent the prophet Jonah to preach repentance to this city. When Jonah finally delivered God's message, the entire city—from the king to the animals—fasted and repented, and God spared the city. Later, the prophet Nahum prophesied Nineveh's destruction, which came in 612 BC.
Position in Book
Birth and PreparationChapters 1-4
Sermon on the MountChapters 5-7
Miracles and MissionChapters 8-10
Opposition GrowsChapters 11-13
Rejection, controversies, parables of the kingdom.
Training DisciplesChapters 14-18
Journey to JerusalemChapters 19-25
Death and ResurrectionChapters 26-28