The man of St Matthew

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

The Sabbath: Mt 12,1-14

We have seen that the chapter begins with two episodes, 12,1-8 and 12,9-14, which are connected by the theme of the sabbath. It's useful to count the number of times the word "sabbath" occurs in these verses. We will see how Matthew's editing of Mark emphasises this theme.
As we noted in the overview, with these two incidents Matthew is joining Mark's story. In Mark, Mk 2,23-3,6, the two incidents form the climax of a series of controversies. We've noted how Matthew is commenting in this chapter on Jesus' words in 11,30 and the theme of the sabbath brings that out well.

Hungry Disciples: 12,1-8

A comparison with Mark, Mk 2,23-28, will show where Matthew has added three verses to Mark's account.

The scene is set in verse 1, giving the place and the time. See Dt 23,25.

The Pharisees then appear in verse 2 and comment to Jesus about his disciples. For the background, see Exodus 20,8-11 and especially Ex 34,21.

The remainder of these verses then form Jesus' reply. His use of Scripture will be superior to that of the Pharisees (just as it was against the devil, 4,1-11).

To the Pharisees, Jesus gives three replies, of which, as you may have noticed, only the first comes from Mark:

1. For verses 3 to 4, look at 1st Samuel 21,1-6. The background passage is Leviticus 24,5-9. What is missing here? Take note too of verse 23 to see how this example applies to Jesus.

2. For verses 5 to 6, see Lev 24,5-8 or Numbers 28,9-10.

3. Finally, in verse 7, Jesus quotes Hosea 6,6 as he has already done earlier in the Gospel (9,13).

Consider how there is an ascending order of values in these three replies.

Finally, in verse 8, there is a saying from Jesus which forms the conclusion. How does this round off Jesus' answer?

Then go to my response.

Doing good on the Sabbath: 12,9-14

The scene now changes in verse 9 from the field to the synagogue - whose synagogue (see 10,17)? Verse 10 tells of a man with a withered hand. Is his injury life threatening? What part does the man play in this incident?

Can we say that "they" in verse 10 are the Pharisees? This time we are told they are questioning Jesus for a specific purpose. How has Matthew changed Mark (Mk 3,2)?

Only Matthew includes this bit of case law, 12,11-12. Rabbis argued about whether or not retrieving the animal was permitted. Poor peasants no doubt had their own answer to that.

Following the healing in verse 13, how do the Pharisees react in verse 14?
This is the same as in Mark, Mk 3,6. Considering what we saw in the overview, how might Matthew's emphasis be different to Mark's here?

Now go again to my response.

We are ready move on to the next part of the chapter beginning with Jesus the Servant, 12,15-21.