Matthew 12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:44

Then he said, I will return into my house ,.... Into the land of Judea, particularly into the Scribes and Pharisees, outward professors of religion; who, notwithstanding their outward reformation, and great pretensions to holiness, are Satan's house still: he has a property in them, a claim upon them; and though he says, from whence I came out , yet he never really and properly quitted it, only seemingly, and in appearance; and therefore his returning is only throwing off the guise, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:45

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits ,.... This is said in allusion to, and in imitation of the seven spirits before the throne; or may denote a large number of devils, seven being a number of perfection; or else the various corruptions of a man's heart, the swarms of internal lusts which are there stirred up by Satan; more wicked than himself , as these are more pernicious to man, than the devil himself: and they enter in and dwell there ; that is, though they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:46

While he yet talked to the people ,.... Upon these subjects, which so nearly concerned the Scribes and Pharisees, and which could not fail of drawing upon him their resentment and ill will. Behold his mother and his brethren : by "his mother" is meant Mary; but who are "his brethren", is not so easy to say: some are of opinion, that Joseph had children by Mary, who are here meant; but it is more generally believed, that these were either the sons of Joseph by a former wife, whose name is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:47

Then one said unto him ,.... Either one of his auditors, or, as the Ethiopic version has it, one "of his disciples": the other evangelists intimate, that more than one acquainted him with it; which is easily reconciled: for, upon his mother and brethren calling to him, as Mark says they did; first one and then another, and more, might apprise him of it, and especially as he did not immediately go out unto them. Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:48

But he answered and said unto him that told him ,.... Of his mother and brethren being without doors, desiring, and waiting to speak to him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? These questions are put, not as if he himself was ignorant who were his mother or his brethren; or as suggesting as if he had none; or as denying that these were in such a relation to him; or as casting any slight upon them; or as intending to teach men disrespect to parents and kindred, according to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:49

And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples ,.... By whom are meant, not only the twelve, but all others present, who truly believed in him, both men and women; and who might sit near him and together, and whom, by this motion of his hand, he pointed out as his spiritual relations, to the multitude that sat round him: and said, behold my mother, and my brethren ; in whose hearts he was formed, and who were the children of God by adopting grace, and so his brethren; and were as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:50

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father ,.... This is not to be understood of a perfect obedience to the will of God, revealed in his righteous law; for since this cannot be performed by any mere man, no one could be in such a spiritual relation to Christ: but of the obedience of faith to the will of God, revealed in the Gospel; which is to believe in Christ, and have everlasting life; see John 6:40 . This is the will of Christ's Father, which is in heaven , and which is good news... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12

Jesus and his disciples go through the cornfields on the Sabbath, and the latter pluck and eat some of the ears, at which the Pharisees take offense, Matthew 12:1 , Matthew 12:2 . Our Lord vindicates them, Matthew 12:3-8 . The man with the withered hand cured, Matthew 12:9-13 . The Pharisees seek his destruction, Matthew 12:14 . He heals the multitudes, and fulfils certain prophecies, Matthew 12:15-21 . Heals the blind and dumb demoniac, Matthew 12:22 , Matthew 12:23 . The... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:1

At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath-day through the corn - " The time is determined by Luke in these words, εν σαββατω δευτεροπρωτω , that is, on the Sabbath from the second-first. "Provision was made by the Divine law that the sheaf of first-fruits should be offered on the second day of the pass-over week, Leviticus 23:10 , Leviticus 23:11 . On the morrow after the Sabbath, the priest shall shake (or wave) it. Not on the morrow after the ordinary Sabbath of the week, but the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:2

Thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do - The Jews were so superstitious, concerning the observance of the Sabbath, that in their wars with Antiochus Epiphanes, and the Romans, they thought it a crime even to attempt to defend themselves on the Sabbath: when their enemies observed this, they deterred their operations to that day. It was through this, that Pompey was enabled to take Jerusalem. Dion. Cass. lib. xxxvi. Those who know not the spirit and design of the divine law are... read more

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