Matthew 12:7-8

Jesus again criticized the Pharisees for failing to understand the Scriptures (cf. Matthew 12:3), and He quoted Hosea 6:6 again (cf. Matthew 9:13). Previously Jesus had cited this verse to show the Pharisees that they failed to recognize their own need. Now He used it to show them that they failed to recognize Him. The Jews in Hosea’s day relied on mere ritual to satisfy God. The Pharisees were doing the same thing. They had not grasped the real significance of the Law, as their criticism of Jesus’ disciples demonstrated. Jesus accused the accusers and declared the disciples innocent.

"Note that Jesus appealed to prophet [Matthew 12:3-4], priest [Matthew 12:5-6], and king [Matthew 12:7]; for He is Prophet, Priest, and King. Note too the three ’greater’ statements that He made: as the Priest, He is ’greater than the temple’ (Matthew 12:6); as Prophet, He is ’greater than Jonah’ (Matthew 12:41); and as King, He is ’greater than Solomon’ (Matthew 12:42)." [Note: Wiersbe, 1:42.]

As Son of Man, "this man," Jesus was Lord of the Sabbath. That is, His authority was greater than the authority that God had given the Sabbath over His people. Jesus had the authority to do anything He wished with the Sabbath. Significantly, He abolished its observance when He terminated the whole Mosaic Code even as the temple effectively abolished it for the priests within the Mosaic system.

"We are free while we are doing anything for Christ; God loves mercy, and demands not sacrifice; His sacrifice is the service of Christ, in heart, and life, and work. We are not free to do anything we please; but we are free to do anything needful or helpful, while we are doing any service to Christ." [Note: Edersheim, The Life . . ., 2:59.]