CINXE.COM

<!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" /><title>Matthew 12 NLT</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="../">NLT</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">New Living Translation</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/nlt/esv/matthew/12.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="hdg">A Discussion about the Sabbath</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Jesus said to them, <span class="red">“Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span><span class="red">He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span><span class="red">And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span><span class="red">I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple!</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span><span class="red">But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">a</span></a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span><span class="red">For the Son of Man<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">b</span></a> is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”</span></p><p class="hdg">Jesus Heals on the Sabbath</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>And he answered, <span class="red">“If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span><span class="red">And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Then he said to the man, <span class="red">“Hold out your hand.”</span> So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.</p><p class="hdg">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>But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>but he warned them not to reveal who he was. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:</p><p class="b"/><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.</p><p class="line2">He is my Beloved, who pleases me.</p><p class="line1">I will put my Spirit upon him,</p><p class="line2">and he will proclaim justice to the nations.</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>He will not fight or shout</p><p class="line2">or raise his voice in public.</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>He will not crush the weakest reed</p><p class="line2">or put out a flickering candle.</p><p class="line2">Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.</p><p class="line1"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>And his name will be the hope</p><p class="line2">of all the world.”<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">c</span></a></p><p class="hdg">Jesus and the Prince of Demons</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 couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”</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 about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan,<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">d</span></a> the prince of demons.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, <span class="red">“Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span><span class="red">And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span><span class="red">And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span><span class="red">But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span><span class="red">For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span><span class="red">“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span><span class="red">“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span><span class="red">Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span><span class="red">“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span><span class="red">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.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span><span class="red">A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span><span class="red">And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span><span class="red">The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”</span></p><p class="hdg">The Sign of Jonah</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>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 your authority.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>But Jesus replied, <span class="red">“Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span><span class="red">For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-41.htm"><b>41</b></a></span><span class="red">“The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-42.htm"><b>42</b></a></span><span class="red">The queen of Sheba<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">e</span></a> will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-43.htm"><b>43</b></a></span><span class="red">“When an evil<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">f</span></a> spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-44.htm"><b>44</b></a></span><span class="red">Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-45.htm"><b>45</b></a></span><span class="red">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.”</span></p><p class="hdg">The True Family of Jesus</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-46.htm"><b>46</b></a></span>As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 47Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.”<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">g</span></a></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-48.htm"><b>48</b></a></span>Jesus asked, <span class="red">“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-49.htm"><b>49</b></a></span>Then he pointed to his disciples and said, <span class="red">“Look, these are my mother and brothers.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-50.htm"><b>50</b></a></span><span class="red">Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”</span></p><A name="footnotes"></a><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn">a</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">12:7 </span><span class="ft">Hos 6:6 (Greek version).</span><br><span class="fn">b</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">12:8 </span><span class="ft">“Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.</span><br><span class="fn">c</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">12:18-21 </span><span class="ft">Isa 42:1-4 (Greek version for 42:4).</span><br><span class="fn">d</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">12:24 </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="it">Beelzeboul;</span><span class="ft"> also in 12:27. Other manuscripts read </span><span class="it">Beezeboul;</span><span class="ft"> Latin version reads </span><span class="it">Beelzebub.</span><br><span class="fn">e</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">12:42 </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="it">The queen of the south.</span><br><span class="fn">f</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">12:43 </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="it">unclean.</span><br><span class="fn">g</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">12:47 </span><span class="ft">Some manuscripts do not include verse 47. Compare Mark 3:32 and Luke 8:20.</span><br></span></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><em>Holy Bible</em>, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of <a href="http://www.tyndale.com">Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.</a>, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.<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><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"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhchap.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>