12:1 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off heads of wheat and eating the grain.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 1 , At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off heads of wheat and eating the grain.
12:2 Some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, 'Your disciples shouldn't be doing that! It's against the law to work by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 2 , Some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, 'Your disciples shouldn't be doing that! It's against the law to work by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.'
12:3 But Jesus said to them, 'Haven't you ever read in the Scriptures what King David did when he and his companions were hungry?
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 3 , But Jesus said to them, 'Haven't you ever read in the Scriptures what King David did when he and his companions were hungry?
12:4 He went into the house of God, and they ate the special bread reserved for the priests alone. That was breaking the law, too.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 4 , He went into the house of God, and they ate the special bread reserved for the priests alone. That was breaking the law, too.
12:5 And haven't you ever read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 5 , And haven't you ever read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?
12:6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple!
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 6 , I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple!
12:7 But you would not have condemned those who aren't guilty if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: `I want you to be merciful; I don't want your sacrifices.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 7 , But you would not have condemned those who aren't guilty if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: `I want you to be merciful; I don't want your sacrifices.'
12:8 For I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 8 , For I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath.'
12:9 Then he went over to the synagogue,
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 9 , Then he went over to the synagogue,
12:10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, 'Is it legal to work by healing on the Sabbath day?' (They were, of course, hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 10 , where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, 'Is it legal to work by healing on the Sabbath day?' (They were, of course, hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)
12:11 And he answered, 'If you had one sheep, and it fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn't you get to work and pull it out? Of course you would.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 11 , And he answered, 'If you had one sheep, and it fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn't you get to work and pull it out? Of course you would.
12:12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, it is right to do good on the Sabbath.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 12 , And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, it is right to do good on the Sabbath.'
12:13 Then he said to the man, 'Reach out your hand.' The man reached out his hand, and it became normal, just like the other one.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 13 , Then he said to the man, 'Reach out your hand.' The man reached out his hand, and it became normal, just like the other one.
12:14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting and discussed plans for killing Jesus.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 14 , Then the Pharisees called a meeting and discussed plans for killing Jesus.
12:15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. He left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them,
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 15 , But Jesus knew what they were planning. He left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them,
12:16 but he warned them not to say who he was.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 16 , but he warned them not to say who he was.
12:17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 17 , This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:
12:18 'Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 18 , 'Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
12:19 He will not fight or shout; he will not raise his voice in public.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 19 , He will not fight or shout; he will not raise his voice in public.
12:20 He will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until he brings full justice with his final victory.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 20 , He will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until he brings full justice with his final victory.
12:21 And his name will be the hope of all the world.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 21 , And his name will be the hope of all the world.'
12:22 Then a demon-possessed man, who was both blind and unable to talk, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 22 , Then a demon-possessed man, who was both blind and unable to talk, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see.
12:23 The crowd was amazed. 'Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?' they wondered out loud.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 23 , The crowd was amazed. 'Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?' they wondered out loud.
12:24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, 'No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 24 , But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, 'No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.'
12:25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, 'Any kingdom at war with itself is doomed. A city or home divided against itself is doomed.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 25 , Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, 'Any kingdom at war with itself is doomed. A city or home divided against itself is doomed.
12:26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 26 , And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.
12:27 And if I am empowered by the prince of demons, what about your own followers? They cast out demons, too, so they will judge you for what you have said.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 27 , And if I am empowered by the prince of demons, what about your own followers? They cast out demons, too, so they will judge you for what you have said.
12:28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 28 , But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.
12:29 Let me illustrate this. You can't enter a strong man's house and rob him without first tying him up. Only then can his house be robbed!
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 29 , Let me illustrate this. You can't enter a strong man's house and rob him without first tying him up. Only then can his house be robbed!
12:30 Anyone who isn't helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 30 , Anyone who isn't helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.
12:31 'Every sin or blasphemy can be forgiven--except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which can never be forgiven.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 31 , 'Every sin or blasphemy can be forgiven--except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which can never be forgiven.
12:32 Anyone who blasphemes against me, the Son of Man, can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 32 , Anyone who blasphemes against me, the Son of Man, can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
12:33 'A tree is identified by its fruit. Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good. Make a tree bad, and its fruit will be bad.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 33 , 'A tree is identified by its fruit. Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good. Make a tree bad, and its fruit will be bad.
12:34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 34 , You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.
12:35 A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 35 , A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart.
12:36 And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 36 , And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak.
12:37 The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 37 , The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.'
12:38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, 'Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove that you are from God.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 38 , One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, 'Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove that you are from God.'
12:39 But Jesus replied, 'Only an evil, faithless generation would ask for a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 39 , But Jesus replied, 'Only an evil, faithless generation would ask for a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.
12:40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so I, the Son of Man, will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 40 , For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so I, the Son of Man, will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
12:41 The people of Nineveh will rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And now someone greater than Jonah is here--and you refuse to repent.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 41 , The people of Nineveh will rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And now someone greater than Jonah is here--and you refuse to repent.
12:42 The queen of Sheba will also rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, because she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And now someone greater than Solomon is here--and you refuse to listen to him.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 42 , The queen of Sheba will also rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, because she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And now someone greater than Solomon is here--and you refuse to listen to him.
12:43 'When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 43 , 'When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none.
12:44 Then it says, `I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and clean.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 44 , Then it says, `I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and clean.
12:45 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 45 , Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.'
12:46 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers were outside, wanting to talk with him.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 46 , As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers were outside, wanting to talk with him.
12:47 Someone told Jesus, 'Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to speak to you.'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 47 , Someone told Jesus, 'Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to speak to you.'
12:48 Jesus asked, 'Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 48 , Jesus asked, 'Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?'
12:49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, 'These are my mother and brothers.
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 49 , Then he pointed to his disciples and said, 'These are my mother and brothers.
12:50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!'
The NLT Book of Matthew , Chapter 12 , Verse 50 , Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!'
