Matthew — Chapter 12

1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.

2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

3Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.

5Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

6But I tell you that One greater than the temple is here.

7If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

9Moving on from there, Jesus entered their synagogue,

10and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

11He replied, “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?

12How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

13Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored to full use, just like the other.

14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

15Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all,

16warning them not to make Him known.

17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.

19He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets.

20A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.

21In His name the nations will put their hope.”

22Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed the man so that he could speak and see.

23The crowds were astounded and asked, “Could this be the Son of David?”

24But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.”

25Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

27And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.

28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

29Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

30He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come.

33Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.

34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

35The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

36But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

38Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”

39Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

41The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.

42The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

43When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.

44Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order.

45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”

46While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him.

47Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.”

48But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?”

49Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers.

50For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

1At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

2But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

3But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

4How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

5Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

6But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

7But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

8For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

9And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

10And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

11And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

12How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

13Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

14Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

15But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

16And charged them that they should not make him known:

17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

19He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

20A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

21And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

22Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

23And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

25And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

26And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

27And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

28But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

29Or 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.

30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

31Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

33Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

36But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

38Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

41The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

42The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

43When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

46While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

47Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

48But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

1At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat.

2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to do upon the sabbath.

3But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;

4how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them that were with him, but only for the priests?

5Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?

6But I say unto you, that one greater than the temple is here.

7But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

8For the Son of man is lord of the sabbath.

9And he departed thence, and went into their synagogue:

10and behold, a man having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? that they might accuse him.

11And he said unto them, What man shall there be of you, that shall have one sheep, and if this fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

12How much then is a man of more value than a sheep! Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath day.

13Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, as the other.

14But the Pharisees went out, and took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.

15And Jesus perceiving [it] withdrew from thence: and many followed him; and he healed them all,

16and charged them that they should not make him known:

17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

18Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; My beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, And he shall declare judgment to the Gentiles.

19He shall not strive, nor cry aloud; Neither shall any one hear his voice in the streets.

20A bruised reed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory.

21And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.

22Then was brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the dumb man spake and saw.

23And all the multitudes were amazed, and said, Can this be the son of David?

24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons.

25And knowing their thoughts he said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

26and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?

27And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

28But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.

29Or 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.

30He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

31Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

32And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come.

33Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit.

34Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

36And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

38Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee.

39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet:

40for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

41The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

42The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

43But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not.

44Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.

46While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.

47And one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, seeking to speak to thee.

48But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren!

50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.

1At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on a Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pick heads of wheat and eat them.

2But when the Pharisees saw this they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is against the law to do on the Sabbath.”

3He said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry—

4how he entered the house of God and ate the sacred bread, which was against the law for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests?

5Or have you not read in the law that the priests in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are not guilty?

6I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.

7If you had known what this means: ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

8For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

9Then Jesus left that place and entered their synagogue.

10A man was there who had a withered hand. And they asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” so that they could accuse him.

11He said to them, “Would not any one of you, if he had one sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, take hold of it and lift it out?

12How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

13Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and it was restored, as healthy as the other.

14But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, as to how they could assassinate him.

15Now when Jesus learned of this, he went away from there. Great crowds followed him, and he healed them all.

16But he sternly warned them not to make him known.

17This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

18“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I take great delight. I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

19He will not quarrel or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

20He will not break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick, until he brings justice to victory.

21And in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

22Then they brought to him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. Jesus healed him so that he could speak and see.

23All the crowds were amazed and said, “Could this one be the Son of David?”

24But when the Pharisees heard this they said, “He does not cast out demons except by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons!”

25Now when Jesus realized what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed, and no town or house divided against itself will stand.

26So if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

27And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges.

28But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has already overtaken you.

29How 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.

30Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

31For this reason I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

33“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.

34Offspring of vipers! How are you able to say anything good, since you are evil? For the mouth speaks from what fills the heart.

35The good person brings good things out of his good treasury, and the evil person brings evil things out of his evil treasury.

36I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak.

37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

38Then some of the experts in the law along with some Pharisees answered him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

39But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

40For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

41The people of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it because they repented when Jonah preached to them—and now, something greater than Jonah is here!

42The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon—and now, something greater than Solomon is here!

43“When an unclean spirit goes out of a person, it passes through waterless places looking for rest but does not find it.

44Then it says, ‘I will return to the home I left.’ When it returns, it finds the house empty, swept clean, and put in order.

45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there, so the last state of that person is worse than the first. It will be that way for this evil generation as well!”

46While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside, asking to speak to him.

47Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting to speak to you.”

48To the one who had said this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?”

49And pointing toward his disciples he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!

50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

1At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.

2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”

3But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him;

4how he entered into God’s house, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests?

5Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?

6But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.

7But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.

8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

9He departed there, and went into their synagogue.

10And behold there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” that they might accuse him.

11He said to them, “What man is there among you, who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it, and lift it out?

12Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.”

13Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other.

14But the Pharisees went out, and conspired against him, how they might destroy him.

15Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all,

16and commanded them that they should not make him known:

17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

18“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations.

19He will not strive, nor shout; neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

20He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory.

21In his name, the nations will hope.”

22Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.

23All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?”

24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.”

25Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

27If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

28But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you.

29Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.

30“He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters.

31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.

32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come.

33“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.

34You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

35The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things.

36I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

38Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

39But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.

40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

41The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here.

42The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.

43When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and doesn’t find it.

44Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came out,’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.

45Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.”

46While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.

47One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.”

48But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”

49He stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers!

50For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”