Matthew 12

Matthew 12:1-14

Chapter 24 The Lord of the Sabbath “At 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. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How 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? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, 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. And 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? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.” (Matthew 12:1-14) The subject which stands out preeminently in these fourteen verses is that of the sabbath day. It is a subject about which the Jews of our Lord’s day were very sensitive and held many strange and absurd opinions. Many today are just as sensitive as they were and hold opinions just as bizarre as theirs. The Pharisees had added their traditions to the teachings of Scripture and made Sabbath day observance the control and primary part of their religious legalism, as it is unto this day. This is a subject about which many, throughout the history of the church, have held different opinions, and held them very strongly, even to the point of having no fellowship with those who disagreed with them. This is a subject about which we need to have a clear understanding. When our Lord’s disciples began to pick corn and eat it, as they walked through the fields, the Pharisees became enraged. When they did, the Lord Jesus seized the opportunity to give words of clear instruction regarding the sabbath, himself, and the uselessness of legalistic, graceless religion. In these fourteen verses our Savior shows himself to be the Lord of the Sabbath. The Fallacy of the Pharisees “At 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. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.” (Matthew 12:1-2) Sabbath observance was the very heart of Jewish religion. When the Lord Jesus gave tacit approval to what the Jews considered a violation of sabbatical law, he touched a raw nerve. Several things need to be observed here. Our Savior never violated God’s law regarding the Sabbath, or anything else. He perfectly fulfilled the law. Our Lord’s disciples here violated Jewish tradition, not Mosaic law. People were allowed by law to take ears of corn as they walked through the fields. The objection of the Pharisees was to the Lord’s disciples doing so on the sabbath day. To their hypercritical minds plucking was reaping, and rubbing the grain from the husk was threshing. They regarded their customs and traditions and fancies as a code of law. According to their traditions, the disciples were doing “that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.” It is not insignificant to take notice of the fact that our Lord and his disciples were poor men, and that he who fed the multitudes used no miraculous power to feed his own followers. They were compelled to get a little food for their stomachs the way other poor people would, by walking through fields belonging to others and picking corn. The Son of God bribes none into following him with the promise of wealth. This incident was not accidental. The words “at that time” direct our attention to the preceding verses. Our Lord is about to demonstrate that he is the Sabbath in whom sinners find rest for their souls (Matthew 11:28-30). The word “sabbath” has the idea of ceasing from work, rest, and inactivity (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:9-11). Like all other aspects of Old Testament law, the sabbath was a picture of Christ, and pointed men to him in whom we find rest (Hebrews 4:1-10). The fallacy of the Pharisees here was the same as it is now. They made the Word of God of none effect by their traditions (Matthew 15:6). The Old Testament law was still in affect when our Lord began his ministry. He and his disciples honored the law. But this breach of religious tradition, the Pharisees considered a breach of God’s law. We are told that just one section of the Jewish Talmud contains twenty-four chapters of sabbatical laws! Instead of being a day of rest, the sabbath had become a day of incredible burden because of all the man-made restrictions imposed by the rabbis in the name of God. As one man observed, “It was harder to rest on the sabbath than it was to work the other six days of the week.” The sabbath was anything but a day of rest. It had become a day of frustration, anxiety, fear, and religious manipulation, imposed by ungodly, religious legalists, who had made the people “Weary and heavy-laden” (Matthew 11:28). The Lord’s disciples were not reaping on the sabbath. They were simply eating as they walked. But the Talmud (the written traditions of the Jews) forbade the rubbing of corn on the sabbath! The Significance of the Sabbath “But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How 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? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day” (Matthew 12:3-8). In these verses our Lord Jesus shows how contemptuous he was of the Pharisees and their religious traditions. His questions (Matthew 12:3; Matthew 12:5) are scathingly sarcastic! They cut deep into the Pharisees’ pride. One can almost see them evincing with pain and anger. Like the other commandments, the sabbath day was intended to promote love to God and to one another. But the scribes and Pharisees knew nothing of love. These legalists lived only to fulfill lifeless, loveless duties, which made them feel good about themselves. The laws regarding the sabbath were never intended to restrict deeds of necessity (Matthew 12:3-4; 1 Samuel 21:6), restrict service to God (Matthew 12:5-6), or restrict acts of mercy (Matthew 12:7-8). We should always choose mercy and compassion when there is a question between that and dogma, ritual, and religious ceremony (Matthew 12:7). In Matthew 12:6; Matthew 12:8 our Savior, the Son of Man, claims divinity, supremacy, and sovereignty as he who is greater than the temple and “Lord even of the sabbath.” He is Lord of everything, even of the law and all that concerns God and man. As the Son of Man, our divine Mediator, into whose hands the Father has delivered all things (Matthew 11:27), he arranges and disposes of sabbaths as he pleases. He declares that even in the legal dispensation the sabbath was not profaned by works of necessity, devotion, and mercy. Certainly, in this gospel day we should never pay the least measure of attention to the sharp speeches of hypercritical legalists who strain the sabbatical law and make a yoke of bondage of that which was intended to point us to the holy rest of faith in Christ. The Manifestation of Mercy “And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, 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. And 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? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other” (Matthew 12:9-13). The Lord Jesus showed great honor to the matter of public worship (Matthew 12:9; Hebrews 10:25). He had nothing to gain from it and nothing to learn by it; and synagogue worship was a perverted form of worship. Yet, our Lord attended the worship of God for the glory of God and the benefit of others. If our Savior made it his business to be in the house of God on the appointed day of worship, how dare we neglect this blessed ordinance of our God? The Pharisees sought to entrap the Master (Matthew 12:10). They chose a man whose hand was withered, not one who was dying. Then, they raised a question, not to learn, but to accuse. “They asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.” Such behavior is common among religious legalists. They constantly seek to entrap, that they might accuse and condemn. The Lord Jesus shamed the Pharisees into silence (Matthew 12:11-12). Not even a Pharisee would contend that sheep are more valuable than men, who are created in the image of God. Yet, in practice they treated other men with less respect than they did brute beasts in the name of religion. Our Lord answered their question emphatically by asking them, “It is lawful to do well on sabbath days?” Then, he showed himself to be God by an act of omnipotent mercy. — “Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.” There are important spiritual lessons to be gleaned from this incident. This man with a withered hand was found in the house of God. Though his hand was withered, he came to the place where God promised to meet with men. He was found waiting on the Lord in the place of the Lord’s own appointing. There is no indication that he knew the Lord Jesus, much less that he sought his merciful intervention. Prevenient grace put him in the way of grace.

The Lord Jesus knew this poor man was in the synagogue. And he, of whom it is written that “he must needs go through Samaria,” because there was a poor woman there for whom “the time of love” had come (John 4:4), went to this particular synagogue on this particular sabbath day, because “the time of love” had come for this poor man with a withered hand. Here our Savior had come to fulfil his own words, “I am found of them that sought we not” (Isaiah 65:1). With the command of grace, “Stretch forth thine hand,” came the power of grace to obey the command. “Christ’s biddings are enablings” (Robert Hawker). It was impossible for this man to do what the Master here called him to do. Yet, he did it, because he who called him is God with whom all things are possible. So it is with the call of Christ by his Spirit to poor sinners. When he says to those who cannot and will not come to him, “ Come unto me,” they come to him, being enabled and compelled by omnipotent mercy to obey his call. Did he not mysteriously and secretly communicate the ability to obey, none ever could or would obey his call.

This blessed truth applies to every aspect of our lives. Without him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Yet, because it is God who works in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure, when he bids us work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 2:12-13; Philippians 4:13). The same grace that calls gives ability to obey. The Rage of The Religionists “Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him” (Matthew 12:14). — Mark tells us (Mark 3:6) that these Pharisees joined forces with the Herodians, their archenemies, the worldly political party who supported Herod, to destroy Christ. They were determined to rid the world of him at any cost. Why? ¾ Because he exposed their inward emptiness and sin. He denounced their outward religious rituals. He disregarded the traditions of their fathers. And he taught salvation by grace alone! Legalism is the implacable enemy of grace (Galatians 3:3; Galatians 5:2-4). There is no room for sabbath keeping in this dispensation of grace. Christ is our Sabbath (Colossians 2:16-17). Christians have, since the earliest days of church history (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2), set aside Sunday, the first day of the week, as a special day of worship, fellowship, and divine service, because that is the day our Lord was raised. John called it “The Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10); but it is not, in any way, a “Christian sabbath.” Christ our Sabbath Allow me to conclude this study by giving that which I believe to be the clear teaching of Holy Scripture with regard to sabbath keeping. I do so because multitudes are yet in bondage to the law here who have no reason to be. In Isaiah 58:13 the Lord God tells us to “call the sabbath a delight.” When can we, when do we, “Call the sabbath a delight”? — We can and do call the sabbath a delight only when we are brought to the blessed rest of faith in Christ, who is our Sabbath, when we keep the sabbath of faith, ceasing from our own works and resting in Christ alone for our entire acceptance with God. When a person turns from his way, from his sin, from the pleasure of his depraved heart, and from this world to the Lord Jesus Christ, finding rest in him, he finds that Christ, in whom he rests, is a delight, a luxury, and that faith in him is an honor. Indeed, all who trust Christ delight themselves in him, triumph over all their foes in him, and shall at last obtain the full heritage of the heavenly Canaan called, “the heritage of Jacob.” “For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” The Legal Sabbath We need to understand that the Sabbath, which God required the Jews to keep, was only a temporary, typical ordinance, which represented Christ and our redemption by him. When the Lord God instituted sabbath keeping to the Jews in the legal dispensation, he gave two reasons for it. First, the sabbath was to be kept as a symbol of God’s rest (Exodus 20:8-11). It represented the completion of God’s creation and the satisfaction of God in his work. Though God’s work of creation has been marred by the sin and fall of our race, the sabbath day portrayed a blessed day of glorious rest called “the times of restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21; Colossians 1:20; Ephesians 1:10), when all things shall be restored to God. Second, the sabbath day was a constant reminder of Israel’s redemption out of Egypt. Hence, it was a picture of our redemption by Christ (Deuteronomy 5:15). In other words, the sabbath day, like all other aspects of the Mosaic law, was a picture prophecy of our perfect redemption by Christ. As the Jews rested on the seventh day of the week from all their works, so believers find perfect rest and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ Our Sabbath We can and will call the sabbath a delight only when we understand that Christ is our Sabbath. We do not observe a literal, legal sabbath day, because Christ is our Sabbath, and we rest in him. I know many who pretend to keep a literal sabbath day. Many try their best to delight in legal sabbath work. But I do not know a sabbatarian in the world who really delights in his attempts at sabbath keeping, not a single one. Every sabbatarian I know finds the yoke of their legal observance oppressive and galling.

It is a spiritual flagellation they feel they must perform in order to be holy. Sabbath keeping, like animal sacrifices, was a part of the Old Testament law. It has nothing to do with New Testament worship. I know that the sabbath day is frequently mentioned in the four gospels and the Book of Acts during that transitional period in which the church of God passed from the Old Testament era into the New. However, it is always mentioned in connection with the Jews and Jewish worship in the temple, or in their synagogues. But it is mentioned only two times in all the Epistles (Romans through Revelation). In Colossians 2:16-17 we read, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” Here the apostle Paul forbids the observance of legal sabbath days in any form. He does so on the basis of the fact, that in Christ, God’s elect are entirely free from the law (Romans 7:4; Romans 10:4). In Hebrews 4:3-4; Hebrews 4:9-11 the sabbath that remains in this gospel age is called “rest.” Here the Apostle shows us that all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ keep the sabbath in a spiritual way. That is to say, they, and they only truly keep the sabbath by faith in him, by resting in him. Finished Work We can and will call the sabbath a delight when we realize that our all glorious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Mediator, has entered into his rest, and his rest is glorious, because he has finished his work (Hebrews 4:10; Isaiah 11:10). Our Savior’s rest in heaven is glorious and it is his glory. — “His rest shall be glory!” As God rested on the seventh day, because his work of creation was finished, so the God-man our Mediator has entered into his rest in heaven, because he has made all things new for his people, having finished his work of redemption (Romans 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Hebrews 10:10-14). Behold our exalted Savior! Do you see him seated upon his throne in heaven? There he sits in undisturbed and undisturbable sovereign serenity! His rest is his glory (John 17:2; Philippians 2:9-11). That exalted God-man, as our divinely appointed Representative, has fulfilled all the legal sabbath requirements for us, even as he did all the other requirements of the law. Now, in heaven, he is keeping an everlasting sabbath rest (Isaiah 53:10-12).

And his rest, which is his glory, tells us that he has finished his work (John 17:4; John 19:30), the salvation of his people is certain (Hebrews 9:12), and all his enemies shall soon be made his footstool (Hebrews 10:13). There is no more work to be done. Christ did it all! And when all the work was done for us, our blessed Savior entered into his rest. Now, all who find rest in him call that sabbath a delight. Sabbath Rest All who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ keep the sabbath by faith (Hebrews 4:3), because we have entered into his rest; and we call this blessed sabbath rest of faith in Christ a delight, the delight of our souls. We do not yet keep the sabbath perfectly, because we do not yet trust our Savior as we should. We do not yet trust him perfectly. But we do keep the sabbath truly and sincerely by faith. Our sabbath observance is not a carnal, literal thing. We do not keep a sabbath day. God forbids that (Colossians 2:16-17). We keep the sabbath spiritually by faith. Remember, the sabbath day was ordained by God in the ceremonial worship of the Jews in the Old Testament as a symbol of God’s rest after creation and as a reminder of the Jews redemption out of Egypt. The essence of sabbath observation was self-denial and consecration to God. Anything personally profitable or pleasurable was expressly forbidden (Isaiah 56:2; Isaiah 58:13; Ezekiel 20:12; Ezekiel 20:21). Sabbath observance was, in its essence, an unconditional, all-encompassing, self-denial. It was a renunciation of self and a dedication of one’s self to God. That is exactly the way we observe the sabbath spiritually by faith in Christ, not one day in seven, but all the days of our lives. The believer’s life is a perpetual keeping of the sabbath! The Lord Jesus Christ gives rest to every sinner who comes to him in faith. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Are you laboring and heavy-laden under the load of sin and guilt? Do you long for rest? In your inmost soul do you struggle hard with sin, longing to find peace with God? Will you hear what the Lord Jesus says? “Come” — That is: believe, trust, rely upon me. “Come unto me!” — Not to the preacher. Not to my church. Not even to my doctrine. But “Come unto me, and I will give you rest!” When a sinner comes to Christ, he quits working for God’s favor, because he rests his soul upon the finished work of his Substitute (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). Yet, this sabbath of faith involves more than a ceasing from our works and the remembrance of our redemption by Christ. It also involves, in its very essence, the consecration of our lives to our dear Savior (Matthew 11:29-30). We keep the sabbath of faith and find rest unto our souls as we willfully, deliberately, wholeheartedly surrender to Christ as our Lord. If we would keep the sabbath, truly keep the sabbath, it will take considerably more than going to church on Sunday and reserving one day a week for religious exercises! We keep the sabbath by putting ourselves under the yoke of Christ’s dominion, submitting to his will in all things, learning of him what to believe, how to live, and how to honor God. As we do, we find that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. When we submit to Christ’s dominion, when we bow to his will, we find rest for our souls and “call the sabbath a delight!”

Matthew 12:14-21

Chapter 25 Our Mediator — Jehovah’s Servant “Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold 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. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.” (Matthew 12:14-21) In the first part of this chapter our Lord Jesus demonstrated his eternal deity and his great dignity as God, both by declaring himself to be Lord even of the sabbath and by healing the man with a withered hand. In the passage now before us the Holy Spirit shows us our Savior’s great humiliation as Jehovah’s Servant, while at the same time demonstrating him to be himself Jehovah God and our great Savior. Matthew Henry wrote in his introduction to this paragraph… “As in the midst of Christ’s greatest humiliations there were proofs of his dignity, so in the midst of his greatest honors, he gave proofs of his humility; and when the mighty works he did gave him an opportunity of making a figure (a name for himself), yet he made it appear that he emptied himself, and made himself of no reputation. The Bond-slave When the Lord God began to give his judgments (civil statutes) to Israel, by which he typified and portrayed redemption, grace, and salvation by Christ,[1] the very first civil statute given to Israel was a blessed picture of redemption and grace by Christ in the law of the bond-slave (Exodus 21:1-6). [1] Ever remember, the law of God, these civil statutes, ceremonial rites, and all the commandments were messianic. They were given to Israel alone and applied to Israel alone. The law of the Old Testament has absolutely nothing to do with Gentiles. It was never given to Gentiles. The law was messianic. It pointed to Christ, who is the fulfillment and the end of the law. “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. f he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever.” The Servant spoken of in this passage of Scripture, by type and picture, is the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became the Servant of God, that he might redeem and save sinners chosen of God from the foundation of the world (Matthew 1:21). The text is not talking about men who became the servants of men among the ancient Israelites. Those men were but pictures of another man, the Man Christ Jesus. How blessed it is to see and know Christ in this relationship! The eye of faith sees the Servant and rejoices in all his work. Though he is himself God Almighty, one with the Father and the Spirit in the Holy Trinity, in order to save us from our sins the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, voluntarily became the servant of God and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, to do the will of God. In the passage before us God the Holy Spirit calls for us to behold our great Savior in his mediatorial office as Jehovah’s Servant as he was described by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 42:1-4. The Pharisees’ Council This passage opens with the Pharisees holding a council. — “Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him” (Matthew 12:14). Religious councils throughout history have almost always proved to be “council against him.” The Spirit of God here calls our attention to the hatred of these religious hypocrites toward Christ because it is something that never changes. These men pretended to have great reverence for the law and, particularly, for the sabbath day. Yet, they seem to have had no reluctance in gathering a religious council for the purpose of finding a way to murder One who lived among them in perfect righteousness, doing good to others. They had no qualms about pursuing a plot to murder the Lord of Glory on the sabbath day! Pharisees are always the same. They want everyone to admire their righteousness, piety, devotion, and spirituality. But they are unmasked by him who reads their hearts.

He tells us that they shall receive the greater damnation (Matthew 23:14). And, it should be observed, their greater damnation is not because they behave in an outwardly reprehensible way, but because they, “going about to establish their own righteousness”, refuse to submit themselves to the righteousness of Christ (Romans 9:31 to Romans 10:4). And all who pretend that they are righteous are hypocrites. Therefore, our Savior warns us, “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1). Self-righteousness is but a religious covering by which men attempt to hide their hatred of God. — “The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject unto the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8). The heart of man is not natural or indifferent toward God. All natural men, all unregenerate people, at the core of their beings, in their hearts hate God! When the Lord Jesus both claimed to be “Lord even of the sabbath day” and proved his power as God by miraculously healing the man with a withered hand, the Jews, the religious leaders of the day, were so enraged against him that they sought to destroy him. No Charge could be brought against his character. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.

No charge could be leveled against his doctrine. He proved his teachings by the Scriptures, irrefutably. But it mattered not how perfectly he lived or how perfectly he taught. He was hated by those people who claimed most loudly that they loved God! J. C. Ryle wrote, “This is human nature appearing in its true colors! The unconverted heart hates God!” This is the reason why God’s servants have been persecuted and martyred throughout the centuries. It must never surprise us when we meet with the same treatment that our Savior received in this world. — “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (1 John 3:13). It is not our weaknesses, infirmities and faults, and our obedience that stir up the wrath of reprobate men, but our doctrine, the gospel of Christ (John 3:19-20; Galatians 5:11). All Healed “But when Jesus knew it” (Matthew 12:14) — Here is another of the many, very casual assertions of our Savior’s divinity that are scattered throughout the gospel narratives. Matthew makes no attempt to prove what needed no proof to those who know and worship Christ. Knowing that he who redeemed us is God over all, we recognize and rejoice in our Savior’s divine omniscience. The omniscient God knew what the Pharisees were up to; and “when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence.” Our Lord did not flee from the Jews and the synagogue in fear, but because his hour was not yet come. The time had not yet come when he must suffer and die as our Substitute. He had other work yet to do to glorify his Father. Therefore, he rightly and wisely left the synagogue. As he left, “great multitudes followed him.” Though some believe not, others will. The Pharisees and religious leaders in the synagogue hated him; but great multitudes followed him.“And he healed them all.” — What a gracious word this is!

As it was in Bethsaida, so it was here. When the multitudes followed him, “he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing” (Luke 9:11). Our Master came not to contend with carping religionists who (in their own opinion) needed nothing from him, but to bestow mercy upon needy souls. Happy is the preacher who, following the Master’s example, has learned to ignore carping critics and refuses to be deterred from the Master’s business, even momentarily, by them. Our Master came to heal needy souls. While he was here in the flesh, he received all who came to him with bodily ailments, “and he healed them all.” And he has not changed. Great multitudes followed him from all parts of the country. And not one of those who followed him, even in this physical, carnal sense, lacked anything. When the multitudes were hungry, he fed them. If they were diseased, he healed them. If they were possessed by devils, he cast them out. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Jesus Christ is merciful, gracious, and kind. Our Savior’s mercy is coupled with omnipotence. All who follow him find all they need in him. His promise is, “Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.” Yes, this mighty, gracious, saving God-man still receives sinners and heals all who come to him. Because the Lord Jesus Christ, Jehovah’s Righteous Servant, has fully obeyed his Father’s will in putting away our sins by the sacrifice of himself, because he was made sin for us, because he bore our sins in his own body on the tree, because he paid all the debt for our sins and put them away completely and forever, he now assures sinners everywhere of this glorious truth by the gospel. — “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37-40). Come to Christ, no matter who you are, no matter how vile your transgressions are, and he promises that he will receive you, just as you are, and that he will never cast you out, that he will give you eternal life, that you shall never perish. — “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). “And charged them that they should not make him known” (Matthew 12:16). — The Son of God never courted the praises of men. He sought only to do the will of God. What a sermon that is! “To him,” Spurgeon asserted, “popularity became a hindrance.” Our Savior deliberately “made himself of no reputation” (Philippians 2:5-8). He had no desire for the approval and applause of men, but only for the glory of God. Scripture Fulfilled This deliberate act of humiliation was “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet” (Matthew 12:17). — The prophecy to which Matthew refers is found in Isaiah 42:1-4. Here the Spirit of God gives us an undeniable evidence of inspiration and the infallibility of Holy Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). In all that our Lord Jesus performed on this earth as our Substitute, from his incarnation to his ascension, was in perfect accord with the prophesies of the Old Testament. When he finished his work, “the Scripture was fulfilled” (Mark 15:28). Pastor Henry Mahan has often said, “The Old Testament Scriptures tailor a garment that will fit only one man, and that man is the Lord Jesus Christ.” Here are 38 of the Old Testament prophecies relating to the Messiah which were fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ, and can never be fulfilled by anyone else. To anyone, except those who are willfully ignorant, these are indisputable proofs that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ of God. The Woman’s Seed - (Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4; Revelation 12:5; Luke 2:7). Abraham’s Seed - (Genesis 18:18; Genesis 12:3; Acts 3:25; Matthew 1:1; Luke 3:34; Galatians 3:16). Isaac’s Seed - (Genesis 17:19; Matthew 1:2; Isa. 3:34). Jacob’s Seed - (Numbers 24:17; Genesis 28:14; Luke 3:34; Matthew 1:2). From The Tribe of Judah - (Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:33; Matthew 1:2; Revelation 5:5). Heir to David’s Throne - (Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:1-5; 2 Samuel 7:13; Matthew 1:1; Matthew 1:6; Acts 2:29-36). Born in Bethlehem - (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7). Time of His Birth - (Daniel 9:25; Luke 2:1-7). Born of A Virgin - (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:26-35). Massacre of Children - (Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:16-18). Flight to Egypt - (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15). Galilean Ministry - (Isaiah 9:12; Matthew 4:12-16). A Prophet Like Moses - (Deuteronomy 18:15; John 1:45; John 6:14; Acts 3:19-26). A Priest Like Melchizedek - (Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5:5-6; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:15-17). The King’s Triumphal Entry - (Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9; John 12:12-14; Matthew 21:1-11). Rejection by Men - (Psalms 2:2; Isaiah 53:3; John 1:11; John 5:43; Luke 4:29; Luke 17:25; Luke 23:18). Personal Character - (Isaiah 11:2-4; Luke 2:52; Luke 4:18). Betrayal by A Friend - (Psalms 41:9; Mark 14:10). Sold for Thirty Pieces of Silver - (Zechariah 11:12-13; Matthew 26:15). Money Returned and Potter’s Field Bought - (Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:6-7). Judas’ Office Taken by Another - (Psalms 109:7-8; Acts 1:16-20). False Witnesses - (Psalms 27:12; Psalms 35:11; Matthew 26:60-61). Silence When Accused - (Isaiah 53:7; Psalms 38:13-14; Matthew 26:62-63; Matthew 27:12-14). Smitten and Spat Upon - (Isaiah 50:6; Mark 14:65). Hated Without a Cause - (Psalms 69:4; Psalms 109:3-5; John 15:23-25). Vicarious Sufferings - (Isaiah 53:4-6; Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 8:16-17; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3). Crucified with Sinners - (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38; Luke 23:33). Pierced Hands and Feet - (Psalms 22:16; John 20:27). Mocked of Men - (Psalms 22:6-8; Matthew 27:39-40). Gall and Vinegar to Drink - (Psalms 69:21; John 19:29). Heard Prophetic Words Repeated in Mockery (Psalms 22:8; Matthew 27:43). Intercession for Enemies - (Psalms 109:4; Luke 23:34). Pierced Side - (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34). Lots Cast for His Coat - (Psalms 22:18; Mark 15:24). Not a Bone Broken - (Psalms 34:20; Exodus 12:46; John 19:33). Buried with The Rich - (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60). His Resurrection - (Psalms 16:10; Matthew 28:9; Luke 24:36-38). His Ascension - (Psalms 68:18; Luke 24:50-51). John Trapp wrote, “The Old Testament is the New Testament foretold. The New Testament is The Old Testament fulfilled.” Jehovah’s Servant “Behold 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. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust” (Matthew 12:18-21). Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ and he is Jehovah’s Servant. Be sure you understand that this text, and all others relating to our Redeemer being the Servant of God, relate only to his humility and to his office capacity as our covenant Surety, Mediator, and Substitute. As such he was chosen by God the Father. He is beloved of God (John 10:16-18; Ephesians 1:6). He is well-pleasing to him. He was equipped for his work by God, who said, “I will put my Spirit upon him.” He came to reveal the righteousness of God (the gospel) to the world, the Gentiles. — “He shall send judgment to the Gentiles. Our Redeemer’s servitude was a matter of voluntary submission (Matthew 12:19 - Isaiah 50:5-7). And the Lord God says, “He shall not fail.” (Isaiah 42:4). Matthew was inspired to translate that as a declaration of the certain salvation of God’s elect throughout the world. He will “send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.” Our Lord Jesus came into this world as Jehovah’s righteous servant for the purpose of saving his people from their sins, and to do so in a way that would make it manifest that he who is our God is “a just God and a Savior” (Isaiah 45:20). And he did what he came to do. He brought in everlasting righteousness, and brought righteousness to victory in the accomplishment of our redemption by the sacrifice of himself (Colossians 2:14-15). And, now, upon the ground of his finished work, he gives life and faith to all God’s elect among the nations of the world by omnipotent mercy and free grace (Matthew 12:21; Romans 11:26) “A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench.” — What sweet, consoling, encouraging words those are to poor, weak sinners! Mighty and great as our Savior is, “He despiseth not any” (Job 36:5). Even those in whom grace is ever so weak, faith is ever so small, and repentance is ever so feeble, he is mighty to save! Commenting on these words, J. C. Ryle wrote, “There is life in the infant as truly as in the grown-up man. There is fire in a spark as truly as in a burning flame. The least degree of grace is an everlasting possession. It comes down from heaven. It is precious in our Lord’s eyes. It shall never be over thrown.” The bruised reed and the smoking flax have reference to young converts, newly awakened souls. Like a “bruised reed,” the newborn soul is bruised, broken, contrite, and tender in his soul because he is made to know his sin and vileness before God. Such souls, the Lord Jesus will never destroy. He binds up their broken hearts and heals their wounded spirits. The newborn soul is also compared to “smoking flax.” The wick in an old oil lantern, when it is first lit, smokes and appears ready to go out, because it has little fire. So the newborn soul often has but little light and knowledge, but little faith and confidence and much darkness; but our tender Savior will never quench the “smoking flax.” He will give it more oil, and fire, and light by the abiding influence and grace of his Holy Spirit, “till he sends forth judgment into victory.” The Apostle Paul says the very same thing in Philippians 1:6. — “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” What sweet assurances of grace we have in the this call of our God. — “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased.” God the Father here calls for us to behold his darling Son, commending him to us in his gracious office and work as the God-man Mediator and his faithful Servant, in whom his soul delights. Nothing can be more blessed than that which God the Father says of him here, when his redeemed are enabled by his grace to look upon the Lord Jesus with the same delight, trusting him as our Savior whom the Father trusted as his Servant. The Lord God said, “I will put my spirit in him.” The believing sinner says, “I will put my whole life into his omnipotent hands of grace.” The Lord God says, “This is my Servant, whom I have chosen, my Beloved, in whom my soul is well-pleased.” The heaven born soul, looking on him says, “This is my Savior, who has chosen me, and he whom I have chosen, my Beloved, in whom my soul is well-pleased.” The God of Glory says, “He shall show judgment to the Gentiles.” And we who are called from among the Gentiles rejoice to declare, “He has shown both judgment and mercy to me and has recovered me from sin and destruction. He has sent forth judgment to victory for my soul; and in his name I trust!”

Matthew 12:28-29

Chapter 26 Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit “Then 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. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And 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: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

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

Wherefore 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. And 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. Either 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. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A 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. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:22-37) The passage we have read contains some “things hard to be understood.” The principle thing that is dealt with in this text is “the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.” This is a subject about which it must be acknowledged little is known. The best and fullest explanations of it are, in my opinion, far from being exhaustive and satisfactory. And I have no delusions about being able to fathom the depths of this subject. I will say no more about it than I am confident of as a matter of divine revelation and no less. We must never be surprised to find things in the Bible that are simply beyond the reach of our minds. If it had no deep places here and there, which no man is capable of understanding, much less explaining, it would not be the Word of the Infinite God. However, rather than stumbling and falling over the things we cannot understand, we ought to give thanks to God for those revelations of wisdom and grace, which even the simplest minds are able to grasp. When we find things written in the Word of God that we do not understand, or that appear to our puny brains to be inconsistent with matters of clear revelation, let us reverently bow to the Scriptures, knowing that God is true, praying and waiting for clearer understanding that only God the Holy Spirit can give. Let us never speculate about divine truth, or offer opinions about things beyond our comprehension. There are five things in this paragraph that demand our attention. The Prejudice of The Pharisees First, in Matthew 12:22-27 we see the prejudice of the Pharisees against Christ and his gospel, and learn that no slanderous speech is too vile and reprehensible for lost religious people to use against the gospel of Christ. “Then 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. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And 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: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.” Whenever we read of our Lord’s miracles in healing the bodies of people, we ought to view them as demonstrations of our Savior’s great compassion upon our immortal souls. It is the blind and dumb in spirit that he came to deliver. When our Lord cast out devils, the Pharisees said, “He does that by Beelzebub!” It was an absurd charge, as our Lord demonstrated; but these men were blinded by religious prejudice. And none are so blind as those who will not see. When they could not refute his doctrine, could not deny the validity of his works, and would not acknowledge him as the Christ of God, the only way these men could justify their behavior was to slander the Savior’s name and seek to cast reproach upon his character. These Pharisees are not the only people who have lost reason, good sense, and civility when confronted with the Kingdom of God. The religious world called Athanasius a devil when he insisted upon the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. The pope called Martin Luther a devil when he proclaimed the doctrine of justification by faith alone. This ought never to surprise us. When religious men are determined to reject the doctrine of the gospel, which they cannot refute, they attempt to defend themselves by blackening the character of those who preach the free grace of God in Christ. What an honor it is to God’s faithful servants when such men speak evil of them for proclaiming the gospel of Christ. By their slanders they simply treat our Master’s servants as they treated the Lord Jesus himself. I have been called a devil by more than a few of these Pharisees’ sons over the years, and always count it my honor to be so treated (Matthew 10:25). In verse twenty-five when the Holy Spirit tells us, “Jesus knew their thoughts,” he gives clear testimony to our Savior’s eternal deity. None but the eternal God knows the thoughts of men. It is written, “I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts” (Revelation 2:23). And there is in this passage a clear declaration of the three persons of the Holy Trinity as well. As all three Persons in the holy Trinity are engaged in all the work of our salvation (Ephesians 1:3-14), so all three are here engaged in the work of “casting out devils.” The Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son, said, “I cast out devils.” He said that he did it “by the Spirit,” by God the Holy Spirit. And he calls God the Spirit, “the Spirit of God,” that is of God the Father. As it is written, “There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” The Binding of SatanSecond, Matthew 12:28-29 describe the work of Christ as the binding of Satan. “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or 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.” In verse twenty-six the Lord Jesus speaks of Satan’s kingdom. Here he speaks of the binding of Satan. The fact that Satan sets up and maintains an empire of sin in every human heart is a fact too obvious to be questioned by any rational person. The terrible effects of it are too well known to be denied. Here we have that fact plainly stated. “It was,” as Robert Hawker wrote, “the setting up this kingdom against God and his Christ, for which the devil and his angels are said to have been cast out of heaven and to have left their own habitation (Revelation 12:7-12; Jude 1:6).” It was by Satan’s seduction of Eve that Adam was brought down, and by Adam’s transgression that the whole human race was made a fallen, corrupt, sinful race (Romans 5:12). It is Satan who works in all the children of disobedience continually (Ephesians 2:2-4). Because Satan’s kingdom of darkness, deception, and sin takes in the entire human race, he is called “the prince of this world” (John 16:11). ” Because he seeks to destroy our souls and seeks to destroy the church and kingdom of God, he is call “a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8) and “the dragon” (Revelation 12:7), “the devil” and “Satan.” Here he is called “the strong man armed.” So powerful is his influence over the unregenerate, that men are taken captive by him at his will (2 Timothy 2:26). How happy and thankful we ought to be to read in the Book of God that “the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). One great purpose and design of the gospel is the overthrow of Satan and his kingdom and the restoration of perfect order in God’s creation. Let us rejoice! The Son of God came into this world to “save his people from their sins” and “that he might destroy the works of the devil;” and that which he came to accomplish shall be accomplished! The Word of God reveals a threefold binding of Satan. By his death upon the cross, in the accomplishment of our redemption, and by his resurrection from the grave our Savior bound Satan and broke the power of his usurped dominion over the nations of the world of Satan (John 12:31-33; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15; Revelation 20:1-6). In regeneration and conversion, by the power of his grace, through the operations of his Holy Spirit in the new birth, the Son of God binds Satan in the hearts of chosen, redeemed sinners and takes possession of his house. That is what is described in Matthew 12:28-29. Our Savior is the man stronger than the strong man armed. He comes by omnipotent mercy into the hearts of chosen sinners, binds Satan, casts him out, and spoils him of all. This is what happens every time he saves a sinner. He does not stand knocking at the door of the lost sinner’s heart, hoping that the sinner might choose to let him enter. He knocks the door down, bolt and bar, enters the house of the ransomed soul, and sets up his throne in the heart, bringing his welcome with him. Thus it is that we have been “translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son” (Isaiah 49:24; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21-22; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:7-11; Ephesians 2:1-4). When he comes again to make all things new, the Lord Jesus will cast Satan out of this world into the lake of fire, where he shall have no more power (Revelation 20:10). There is a day coming, when Christ comes again in his glory, when the total and everlasting destruction of Satan’s kingdom will take place. In that day we who are one with Christ will triumph over the prince of darkness in complete victory (Romans 16:20. There is no such thing as “a devil’s hell.” Hell belongs to God. It is his torture chamber, in which he will forever torment the devil and all who have followed him to destruction. The Impossibility of NeutralityIn Matthew 12:30 the Lord Jesus shows us the impossibility of neutrality with regard to him, his gospel, and his kingdom. — “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Multitudes try to straddle the fence, halting between two opinions, not wishing to deny Christ altogether and not wishing to serve him altogether, not wanting to engage in open rebellion to the Son of God, but not wanting to engage in the cause of Christ. But such neutrality is impossible. There are, with regard to spiritual things, only two camps; there are only two sides. Either we are with Christ, committed to him and his cause, or we are against Christ, committed to the world, the flesh, and the devil. We cannot serve both God and mammon. If we do not serve Christ, we oppose him. There is no middle ground. In a word, the gospel of Christ demands decisiveness (Joshua 24:15). In his commentary on verse thirty John Gill wrote, “Since there is such an open war proclaimed and carried on between Christ and the devil, none ought to be neutral; whoever is not on the side of Christ, is reckoned as an enemy; and whoever is not concerned by prayer or preaching, or other means to gather souls to his word and ordinances, and to his church, and to himself, is deemed by him a scatterer of them.” Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit Matthew 12:31-32 introduce us to what our Savior calls “the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost,” and warns us against the danger of what he declares is the only unpardonable sin. “Wherefore 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. And 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.” It is not difficult to show from the Scriptures what this sin is not. The difficulty is showing clearly what it is. Our Savior clearly declares the free, full, absolute, and everlasting forgiveness of all sin to all believers. – “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men.” — “If we confess our sins,” no matter what they are, no matter how vile they are, no matter how many they are, no matter how old or how new they are, the Lord God “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,” all of them, completely, and forever, “and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). — “The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Yet, the Son of God does speak about one particular sin that is unpardonable. It is called “the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.” What is “the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost?” “The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost” does not involve sins of ignorance. The distinction drawn between “speaking against the Son of man” and “speaking against (blaspheming) the Holy Ghost” must not be overlooked. The sin against Christ as the Son of man was committed out of ignorance by those who did not know that he is the Messiah. Therefore, they did not receive him, believe him, and obey him, but opposed, persecuted, and even crucified him. But they did it ignorantly (1 Corinthians 2:8), as Saul of Tarsus did (1 Timothy 1:13). This sin and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which our Savior declares is unpardonable, is committed by men and women who willfully persist in unbelief and obstinate impenitence, deliberately rejecting the counsel of God against themselves, and are therefore given up to a reprobate mind. J.C. Ryle accurately describes it as, “The union of the clearest head-knowledge of the Gospel with deliberate rejection of it, and deliberate choice of sin and the world.” John Gill wrote, “It is a despiteful usage of the Spirit of grace, an opposing, contradicting, and denying of the operations wrought, or the doctrines revealed by him, against a man’s own light and conscience, out of a willful and obstinate malice, on purpose to lesson the glory of God, and gratify his own lusts. Such was the sin of the Scribes and Pharisees; who, though they knew the miracles of Christ were wrought by the Spirit of God, yet maliciously and obstinately imputed them to the devil, with a view to obscure the glory of Christ, and indulge their own wicked passions.” This unpardonable sin is the willful, deliberate rejection of Christ by one who is fully convinced that he is the Son of God and the only Savior of sinners. It is a deliberate refusal to bow to him as Lord. It is choosing to save your life, rather than lose it to the dominion of the Son of God. It is nothing less than running over top of the Son of God to get to hell! Those who are troubled with the fear that they may have committed this unpardonable sin, most assuredly, have not done so! The one thing that always characterizes those people described in the Scriptures as reprobate is a callousness and hardness, that is the result of a seared conscience. When God gives a man up in reprobation, that man is no longer concerned for the glory of God, the knowledge of Christ, and the things of God. Lot’s wife, Pharaoh, King Saul, Ahab, and Judas Iscariot stand out as beacons to warn all. Each of them had crystal clear knowledge. Yet, each of them deliberately rejected Christ. They had light in their heads, but darkness in their hearts. Each of them today is in hell, suffering the wrath of God! Beware of despising the light God has given you. Do you know the truth? Then walk in the truth. Walk in the light God has given you. That is the best safeguard against the unpardonable sin. Importance of Words “Either 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. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A 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. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Our Lord calls the Scribes and Pharisees of his day and ours a “generation of vipers”. The seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent are identified and defined throughout the Word of God as being at enmity toward each other (Genesis 3:15). On another occasion, our Savior said to the same people, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do” (John 8:44). Because they are of their father, the devil, nothing but evil can be expected from such people. — “How can ye being evil speak good things?” — “Ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep” (John 10:26). Such serpents, such a “a generation of vipers,” cannot escape “the damnation, of hell” (Matthew 23:33; Matthew 13:38; Matthew 25:33; Acts 13:10; 2 Peter 2:12-14; 1 John 3:8-9; 1 John 3:12). “A 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.” — The Scriptures plainly declare, “There is none good, no not one” (Romans 3:10). Yet, our Lord here speaks of “a good man.” Obviously, he here distinguishes his own from the rest of the world. All who are born of God are made “good” before him by his own work of grace, by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them in justification and the righteousness of Christ imparted to them in regeneration (1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:5-10). The “good man” differs from the natural man. He is a different man than he once was, because he is a new creature in Christ. He has a righteous nature imparted to him by the grace of God. “Out of the good treasure of his heart,” by the graces of his Holy Spirit planted in him, he brings forth the sweet and precious fruit of the Spirit in his life and in his speech (Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 1:27). He speaks of Christ, his righteousness, his atonement, his forgiveness, and his grace, declaring what God has done for his soul (Psalms 66:16). In Matthew 12:36-37 our Savior shows us the immense importance of being careful about our words. He says, “for every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account in the day of judgment.” Then he adds, “By thy words shalt thou be justified, and by thy word thou shalt be condemned.” If there were nothing else in the Bible to do so, these statements of our Lord about the tongue should convince all who read them that we are all guilty before God and need the righteousness of Another, even the righteousness of Christ, to give us acceptance with him in the day of judgment (Philippians 3:9). Our Words reveal the state of our hearts. Words of grace, kindness, goodwill, and cheer give evidence of a heart renewed by grace. Words of envy, malice, slander, and gossip, words that are intended to hurt others reveal an evil, depraved, unregenerate heart (Ephesians 4:30-32). Idle words may seem frivolous to us; but they do permanent damage. — “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Idle words often stick in the minds of those who hear them long after the one who speaks them is dead. No member of our bodies is more powerful to do good and to do evil than our tongues. “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:2-8) — “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” (Psalms 141:3) — “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6) We must not forget that our Savior’s words in Matthew 12:36-37 distinguish the believer from the unbeliever. Our words as well as our actions make manifest the state of our hearts and reveal whether we are born again by his grace or are yet unregenerate. The idle, sinful words of the unbeliever reveal the fact that he is unregenerate. Likewise, the gracious words of the believer reveal the work of grace in and upon him. As Abraham and Rahab justified their professed faith in Christ by their deeds, so, too, every believer justifies his professed faith in Christ by his daily conversation (James 2:19-26). For the believer, there is no condemnation.

Those who are redeemed by Christ shall never be condemned (Romans 8:1; Romans 8:33-34; Son 4:11; Malachi 3:16-18). The unregenerate and unbelieving living and dying without Christ shall be condemned by their own words.

Matthew 12:38-50

Chapter 27 “Behold, a greater than Solomon is here!” “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But 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: For 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. The 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. The 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. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then 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.

Then 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. While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:38-50) In these verses the Lord Jesus silences the caviling Pharisees, demonstrates the validity of Holy Scripture and the danger of graceless religion, and gives great comfort to all who trust him. Looking for a Sign The first thing that confronts us in this passage is the fact that unbelief always looks for a sign. The Pharisees in their brazen, obstinate, arrogant self-righteousness and unbelief said, “Master, we would see a sign from thee” (Matthew 12:38). What sham pretense! They pretended that they merely wanted a little more evidence in order to be convinced and become his disciples. The healing of the sick, the cleansing of the lepers, the casting out of devils, and the raising of the dead was not quite enough evidence for them. It was not enough because they were determined not to believe the Son of God! That is exactly the state of many today. They claim a willingness to believe if only they had enough evidence, or enough proof, or enough signs. But faith in Christ cannot be produced by signs, proofs, and arguments. Faith is the gift of God. It is wrought in men and women by hearing the Word of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; Luke 16:31; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 1:22-24). And the basis of faith is the naked Revelation of God in Holy Scripture (1 John 5:9-13). The only way anyone can ever see the glory of God and be established in the peace of God and the truth of God is by believing God (John 11:40; Isaiah 7:9). One Book Matthew 12:39-42 demonstrate clearly that the authority of the Old Testament and the New Testament stand or fall together. “But 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: For 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. The 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. The 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.” In these verses the Lord Jesus, almost casually, displays the truth of the Old Testament Scriptures. This is an important fact. The Bible is one Book, not two. It is one, united Word of divine revelation. Those who attempt to pick holes in the Old Testament are at the same time attempting to destroy the authority of the New (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:20-21). The same Holy Spirit who inspired the Old Testament writers to tell us of Jonah, the Queen of Sheba, and Solomon inspired the writers of the New Testament to tell us of Christ, his redemptive work, and his exaltation and glory. If one part of this Book is a lie, all of it is a lie. You cannot pick and choose what you want. You must either receive it all and believe it all, or reject it all as a lie, a falsehood, a fable, and a fabrication. As Jonah really was in the belly of the whale for three days, so the Lord Jesus, when he was crucified as our Substitute, was buried in the earth and rose from the dead three days later. The men of Nineveh who believed Jonah’s message and repented shall rise in judgment against all who refuse to believe the message of grace from the lips of the risen Christ. – “Behold a greater than Jonah is here!” Christ is a greater Man with a greater message. The Pharisees cast our Lord overboard, just as the sailors did Jonah. As the sea was calmed for those sailors by the sacrifice of Jonah, so our Lord’s death made peace for us. As Jonah’s mission and message were certified by his resurrection from the sea, so is our Lord’s mission and message certified by his resurrection from the dead. That man who had come back from death and burial in the sea commanded the attention of all Nineveh. Even so, our risen Savior demands and deserves the obedient faith of all who hear his message. The resurrection of Christ is the sign of the prophet Jonah; but it is supplemented by another, that in the mouth of two witnesses it might be established. As the Queen of Sheba diligently sought Solomon and heard all his wisdom, so all who seek Christ shall find him and be taught of him all things pertaining to life and godliness. – “Behold, a greater than Solomon is here!” This queen of the south shall rise in judgment against all who have Christ clearly set before them, but refuse to trust him. The sign here spoken of displays our Lord’s kingly wisdom. As the fame of Solomon caused the Queen of Sheba to seek him, so the doctrine of Christ commands the attention of the whole world. Though the Pharisees and lost religionists of our day refuse him who is the Wisdom of God, chosen multitudes, scattered over all the earth, gladly come to him, bow before his majesty, and gladly receive his Word. The superlative excellence of Solomon’s wisdom stands for our Lord as a second sign, a sign that cannot be disputed. Our Savior’s royal wisdom meets all the needs of men. Who else has revealed such grace and truth? Who but the Son of God could have revealed the Father to us? Profession without Possession Matthew 12:43-45 teach us that nothing is so dangerous and destructive to the souls of men as a profession of faith without the possession of grace. — “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then 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. Then 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.” Faithful gospel preachers do not try to pump and twist professions of faith out of people, young or old, because we realize that nothing is more certain to destroy a person than religion without Christ. Such men want you to know Christ, to trust him, to be saved by him, and urgently press upon you the claims of Christ in the gospel. If God has given you faith in Christ, they will urge you to confess him in believer’s baptism, identify yourself with his people, and publicly devote yourself to Christ, his gospel, and his cause, knowing that secret disciples are always suspect disciples. But they will not aid unconverted men and women in making a refuge of lies for themselves, professing faith without experiencing grace. None of God’s elect are going to perish because we do not pump professions of faith out of people. Our only business is to faithfully preach the gospel to people, pray for God’s blessing upon it, and wait for God to do his work. In these verses the Lord Jesus describes what happens to men and women who are talked into religion and persuaded to make a profession in a lost religious generation, never experiencing the grace of God. They may experience a great change and religious (moral and outward) sanctification; but their ultimate end will be everlasting ruin (Hebrews 4:6; Hebrews 10:38; 2 Peter 2:20-22). As J. C. Ryle wrote, “None prove so hopelessly wicked as those who after experiencing strong religious convictions have gone back again to sin and the world.” The last state of that man is worse than the first. Do not be content with Christless, graceless religion! “For if,” wrote Robert Hawker, “while under the same awful influence of an unrenewed, unregenerated heart, the man is prompted to put on the appearance of an outside sanctity; and covers over the uncleanness that is within, with a seeming zeal for religion without: these are like the seven other spirits of the devil, more wicked than the former, because more desperately deceiving, both himself and the world; and of consequence, the end is more dreadful. And who shall calculate the numbers there, as living under this most wretched of all delusions? Who shall say, the many, who go out of life well pleased with this whitening sepulchre-reform; in whose heart, no saving change hath been wrought; nor any acquaintance made with the person, work, or grace of God the Holy Ghost (John 3:3-9; Acts 19:2). Reader! see to it that no change satisfies your mind, but that which is wrought by the Holy Ghost and Christ, formed in your heart the life of glory (Romans 8:9-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17).” God’s Family Matthew 12:46-50 teach us that all true believers are the family of God. “While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Sometimes the Church of God is called by one name and sometimes by another to show various aspects of our relationship to God and to one another. It is called “the church,” “the body of Christ,” “the bride,” “the fold,” “an holy nation,” “a royal priesthood,” “Jerusalem,” “the church of the firstborn,” “the kingdom of heaven,” “the kingdom of God,” and “the family of God.” In this passage our Lord teaches us that all true believers are one in him, and that we are the family of God (Ephesians 3:15). All believers are counted by the Son of God as his relatives. He loves them. He feels for them. He cares for them, as members of his family, bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh.

He provides for his family. He protects his family. He prays for his family. Some of his family have already gone home. Some of his family are yet in their pilgrimage. But all who do the will of his Father, all who trust him are members of his family. J. C. Ryle’s observations on this passage are as precious and encouraging as they are instructive. “Mark how He speaks of every one who does the will of His Father in heaven. He says, ‘he is my brother, and sister, and mother.’ What gracious words these are! Who can conceive the depth of our dear Lord’s love towards His relations according to the flesh? It was a pure, unselfish love. It must have been a mighty love, a love that passes man’s understanding. Yet here we see that all His believing people are counted as His family. He loves them, feels for them, cares for them, as members of His family, bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh. There is a solemn warning here to all who mock and persecute true Christians on account of their religion. They consider not what they are doing. They are persecuting the near relations of the King of kings. They will find at the last day that they have mocked those whom the Judge of all regards as His ‘brother, and sister, and mother.’ There is rich encouragement here for all believers. They are far more precious in their Lord’s eyes than they are in their own. Their faith may be feeble, their repentance weak, their strength small. They may be poor and needy in this world. But there is a glorious ‘whoever’ in the last verse of this chapter which ought to cheer them. ‘Whoever’ believes is a near relation of Christ. The elder Brother will provide for him in time and eternity, and never let him be cast away. There is not one ‘little sister’ in the family of the redeemed, whom Jesus does not remember (Son 8:8). Joseph provided richly for all his relations, and Jesus will provide for His.” Are you a member of this family? Rejoice? Would you be? Trust Christ?