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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Matthew 12 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/matthew/12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/matthew/12-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Matthew 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../matthew/11.htm" title="Matthew 11">◄</a> Matthew 12 <a href="../matthew/13.htm" title="Matthew 13">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/matthew/12.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath</p><p class="cross_ref">(<a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/mark/2.htm">Mark 2:23-28</a>; <a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/luke/6.htm">Luke 6:1-5</a>)</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>At that time, Jesus walked through the grain fields on a Sabbath.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:1 Lit. on the Sabbaths">a</a></span> His disciples became hungry and began picking heads of grain to eat. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>When the Pharisees saw this, they told him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>But he told them, <span class="red">“Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>How is it that he went into the house of God and ate the Bread of the Presence, which was not lawful for him and his companions to eat but was reserved<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:4 Lit. but only">b</a></span> for the priests? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Or haven’t you read in the Law that on every Sabbath<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:5 Lit. on the Sabbaths">c</a></span> the priests in the Temple violate the Sabbath<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:5 i.e. by carrying out priestly duties">d</a></span> and yet are innocent?<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:5 Cf. Exod 25:30; 29:32-33; Lev 8:31">e</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>But I tell you, something greater than the Temple is here! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>If you had known what ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice’<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:7 Cf. Hos 6:6">f</a></span> means, you would not have condemned the innocent, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>for the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”</span></p> <p class="heading">Jesus Heals a Man with a Paralyzed Hand</p><p class="cross_ref">(<a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/mark/3.htm">Mark 3:1-6</a>; <a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/luke/6.htm">Luke 6:6-11</a>)</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Moving on from there, Jesus<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:9 Lit. he">g</a></span> went into their synagogue. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Suddenly, a man with a paralyzed hand appeared. The people<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:10 Lit. They">h</a></span> asked Jesus<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:10 Lit. him">i</a></span> if it was lawful to heal on Sabbath days,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:10 Lit. on the Sabbaths">j</a></span> intending to accuse him of doing something wrong.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>But he asked them, <span class="red">“Is there a man among you who, if he had one sheep and it fell into a ditch on the Sabbath, wouldn’t take hold of it and pull it out? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>How much more is a human being worth than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on Sabbath days.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:12 Lit. on the Sabbaths">k</a></span> </span></p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Then he told the man, <span class="red">“Hold out your hand.”</span> He held it out and it became normal, as healthy as his other hand. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>The Pharisees, however, went out and plotted against Jesus<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:14 Lit. him">l</a></span> to kill him.</p> <p class="heading">Jesus, God’s Chosen Servant</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>When Jesus became aware of this, he left that place. Many crowds<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:15 Other mss. lack crowds">m</a></span> followed him, and he healed all of them, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>ordering them not to make him known. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>This was to fulfill what was declared by the prophet Isaiah when he said,</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>“Here is my Servant whom I have chosen,</p> <p class="poetry2">whom I love, and with whom I am pleased!</p> <p class="poetry2">I will put my Spirit on him,</p> <p class="poetry2">and he will proclaim justice<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:18 Or judgment">n</a></span> to <span class="red">unbelievers.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:18 Lit. gentiles ; i.e. unbelieving non-Jews">o</a></span> </span></p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>He will not quarrel or shout,</p> <p class="poetry2">and no one will hear him shouting<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:19 Lit. hear his voice">p</a></span> in the streets.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>He will not snap off a broken reed</p> <p class="poetry2">or snuff out a smoldering wick</p> <p class="poetry2">until he has brought justice<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:20 Or judgment">q</a></span> through to victory.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>And in his name unbelievers<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:21 Lit. gentiles ; i.e. unbelieving non-Jews">r</a></span> will hope.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:21 Cf. Isa 42:1-4">s</a></span> </p> <p class="heading">Jesus is Accused of Working with Beelzebul</p><p class="cross_ref">(<a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/mark/3.htm">Mark 3:20-30</a>; <a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/luke/11.htm">Luke 11:14-23</a>; 12:10)</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to talk was brought to him. Jesus<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:22 Lit. He">t</a></span> healed him so that the man<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:22 Lit. the man who was unable to talk">u</a></span> could speak and see. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>All the crowds were amazed and kept saying, “This man isn’t the Son of David, is he?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>He knew what they were thinking and told them, <span class="red">“Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>So if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How, then, can his kingdom stand? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>If I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own followers<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:27 Lit. sons">v</a></span> drive them out? That is why they will be your judges! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>How can someone go into a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions without first tying up the strong man? Then he can ransack his house. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>The person who isn’t with me is against me, and the person who isn’t gathering with me is scattering. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:31 Lit. will be forgiven to people">w</a></span> but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come.”</span></p> <p class="heading">A Tree is Known by Its Fruit</p><p class="cross_ref">(<a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/luke/6.htm">Luke 6:43-45</a>)</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span><span class="red">“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree rotten and its fruit rotten, because a tree is known by its fruit. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>You children of serpents! How can you say anything good when you are evil? The mouth speaks about what overflows from the heart. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>A good person brings good things out of a good treasure house, and an evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure house. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>I tell you, on Judgment Day people will give an account for every thoughtless<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:36 Or worthless">x</a></span> word they have uttered, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>because by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”</span></p> <p class="heading">The Sign of Jonah</p><p class="cross_ref">(<a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/mark/8.htm">Mark 8:11-12</a>; <a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/luke/11.htm">Luke 11:29-32</a>)</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>Then some of the scribes and Pharisees told Jesus,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:38 Lit. him">y</a></span> “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>But he replied to them, <span class="red">“An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign. Yet no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>because just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea creature for three days and three nights,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:40 Cf. Jonah 1:17">z</a></span> so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-41.htm"><b>41</b></a></span>The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment and condemn the people living today,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:41 Lit. judgment with this generation and condemn it">aa</a></span> because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. But look—something greater than Jonah is here! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-42.htm"><b>42</b></a></span>The queen of the south will stand up and condemn the people living today,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:42 Lit. judgment with this generation and condemn it">bb</a></span> because she came from so far away<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:42 Lit. from the ends of the earth">cc</a></span> to hear the wisdom of Solomon. But look! Something greater than Solomon is here!”</span></p> <p class="heading">The Return of the Unclean Spirit</p><p class="cross_ref">(<a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/luke/11.htm">Luke 11:24-26</a>)</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-43.htm"><b>43</b></a></span><span class="red">“Whenever an unclean spirit goes out of a person, it wanders through waterless places looking for a place to rest, but finds none. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-44.htm"><b>44</b></a></span>Then it says, ‘I will go back to my home that I left.’ When it arrives, it finds it empty, swept clean, and put in order. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-45.htm"><b>45</b></a></span>Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and settle there. And so the final condition of that person becomes worse than the first. That’s just what will happen to this evil generation!”</span></p> <p class="heading">The True Family of Jesus</p><p class="cross_ref">(<a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/mark/3.htm">Mark 3:31-35</a>; <a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/luke/8.htm">Luke 8:19-21</a>)</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-46.htm"><b>46</b></a></span>While Jesus<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:46 Lit. he">dd</a></span> was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-47.htm"><b>47</b></a></span>Someone told him, “Look! Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak to you.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="12:47 Other mss. lack this verse">ee</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-48.htm"><b>48</b></a></span>He asked the man who told him, <span class="red">“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-49.htm"><b>49</b></a></span>Then pointing with his hand at his disciples, he said, <span class="red">“Here are my mother and my brothers, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-50.htm"><b>50</b></a></span>because whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”</span></p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 12:1 Lit. <i>on the Sabbaths</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 12:4 Lit. <i>but only</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 12:5 Lit. <i>on the Sabbaths</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 12:5 i.e. by carrying out priestly duties<br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 12:5 Cf. Exod 25:30; 29:32-33; Lev 8:31<br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 12:7 Cf. Hos 6:6<br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 12:9 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 12:10 Lit. <i>They</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 12:10 Lit. <i>him</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 12:10 Lit. <i>on the Sabbaths</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 12:12 Lit. <i>on the Sabbaths</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 12:14 Lit. <i>him</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 12:15 Other mss. lack <i>crowds</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 12:18 Or <i>judgment</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 12:18 Lit. <i>gentiles </i>; i.e. unbelieving non-Jews<br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 12:19 Lit. <i>hear his voice</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 12:20 Or <i>judgment</i><br /><span class="fnb">r</span> 12:21 Lit. <i>gentiles </i>; i.e. unbelieving non-Jews<br /><span class="fnb">s</span> 12:21 Cf. Isa 42:1-4<br /><span class="fnb">t</span> 12:22 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">u</span> 12:22 Lit. <i>the man who was unable to talk</i><br /><span class="fnb">v</span> 12:27 Lit. <i>sons</i><br /><span class="fnb">w</span> 12:31 Lit. <i>will be forgiven to people</i><br /><span class="fnb">x</span> 12:36 Or <i>worthless</i><br /><span class="fnb">y</span> 12:38 Lit. <i>him</i><br /><span class="fnb">z</span> 12:40 Cf. Jonah 1:17<br /><span class="fnb">aa</span> 12:41 Lit. <i>judgment with this generation and condemn it</i><br /><span class="fnb">bb</span> 12:42 Lit. <i>judgment with this generation and condemn it</i><br /><span class="fnb">cc</span> 12:42 Lit. <i>from the ends of the earth</i><br /><span class="fnb">dd</span> 12:46 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">ee</span> 12:47 Other mss. lack this verse<br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../matthew/11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../matthew/13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/matthew/12-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>