Matthew 12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:31-32

In this place, and in Mark 3:28-30, Jesus states the awful nature of the sin of which they had been guilty. That sin was the sin against the Holy Spirit. It consisted in charging him with being in league with the devil, or accusing him of working his miracles, not by the “spirit” or “power” of God, but by the aid of the prince of the devils. It was therefore a direct insult, abuse, or evil speaking against the Holy Spirit - the spirit by which Jesus worked his miracles. That this was what he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:33

Either make ... - The fact asserted in this verse is, that a tree is known, not by its leaves, or bark, or form, but by its fruit. The application to the argument is this: “You are to judge of man’s being in league with Satan by his works. If my doctrines and works be properly the works of Satan, then I am corrupt; if not, then your charge is blasphemy. So, on the other hand, if, notwithstanding your professions, your works are the works of the devil, and your doctrines are such as he would... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:34-35

O generation of vipers! - Christ here applies the argument which he had suggested in the previous verse. They were a wicked race; like poisonous reptiles, with a corrupt and evil nature. They could not be expected to speak good things - that is, to speak favorably of him and his works. As the bad fruit of a tree was the proper effect of its “nature,” so were their words about him and his works the proper effect of their nature. The “abundance” or fullness of the “heart” produced the words of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:36

But I say unto you ... - Christ closes this address to his malignant and wicked hearers by a solemn declaration that for these things God would bring them into judgment. Therefore. They who had spoken so malignantly against him, could not escape.Idle word - This literally means a vain, thoughtless, useless word; a word that accomplishes no good. Here it means, evidently, “wicked, injurious, false, malicious, for such” were the words which they had spoken. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:37

By thy words thou shalt be justified ... - That is, “words” are the indication of the true principles of the heart; by “words” the heart shall be known, as the tree is by its fruit. If they are true, proper, chaste, instructive, pious, they will prove that the heart is right. If false, envious, malignant, and impious, they will prove that the heart is wrong, and will therefore be among the causes of condemnation. It is not meant that words will be the only thing that will condemn man, but that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:38-42

We would see a sign from thee - See Luke 11:16, Luke 11:29-32. A “sign” commonly signifies a miracle - that is, a sign that God was with the person or had sent him. Compare the notes at Isaiah 7:11. Luke adds that this was done “tempting him;” that is, trying him, doubting if he had the power to do it. If these persons had been present with him for any considerable time, they had already seen sufficient proofs that he was what he claimed to be. They might have been, however, those who had... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:43-45

When the unclean spirit ... - The “general sentiment” which our Saviour here teaches is much more easily understood than the illustration which he uses. The Jews had asked a sign from heaven that should decisively prove that he was the Messiah, and satisfy their unbelief. He replies that, though he should give them such a sign a proof conclusive and satisfactory, and though for a time they should profess to believe and apparently reform, yet such was the obstinacy of their unbelief and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:46-50

See also Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21.His brethren - There has been some difference of opinion about the persons who are referred to here, some supposing that they were children of Mary his mother, others that they were the children of Mary, the wife of Cleophas or Alpheus, his “cousins,” and called “brethren” according to the customs of the Jews. The natural and obvious meaning is, however, that they were the children of Mary his mother. See also Mark 6:3. To this opinion, moreover, there can be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12

A.M. 4035. A.D. 31. In this chapter, (1,) To show that works of necessity and mercy are to be done on the sabbath day, Christ vindicates his disciples for plucking and eating ears of corn thereon, and his own healing a withered hand, Matthew 12:1-13 . (2,) To avoid the fury of the enraged Pharisees, he withdraws, and is followed by multitudes, all whose sick he heals, and, by his prudence, humility, and self- denial in so doing, fulfils a remarkable prediction of Isaiah , vv14-21. ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:1

Matthew 12:1. Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn The cornfields near Jerusalem, attended by his disciples and some of the Pharisees, whose curiosity, it is probable, prompted them to mix with the crowd on this occasion, in expectation of seeing more miracles. His disciples began to pluck [and rub in their hands, Luk 6:1 ] the ears of corn, and to eat Just what sufficed for present necessity. The word σταχυας , here used, may indifferently signify ears of any kind of grain;... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:31-32

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:33

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:34-35

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:36

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:37

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:38-42

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:43-45

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:46-50

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:1

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