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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//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 12:11 He replied, "If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/12-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/40_Mat_12_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 12:11 - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He replied, If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></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="/vmenus/matthew/12-11.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="/bmc/matthew/12-11.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="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 11</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><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/12-10.htm" title="Matthew 12:10">◄</a> Matthew 12:11 <a href="/matthew/12-12.htm" title="Matthew 12:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/12.htm">New International Version</a> He said to them, &#8220If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/nlt/matthew/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> And he answered, “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. <a href="/esv/matthew/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> He replied, “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He said to them, "What man will there be among you, who will have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbaths, will not take hold of it and will raise it up? <a href="/kjv/matthew/12.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/matthew/12.htm">New King James Version</a> Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/nasb_/matthew/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/nasb/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> And He said to them, &#8220What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/nasb77/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He said to them, “What man shall there be among you, who shall have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it, and lift it out? <a href="/lsb/matthew/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/amp/matthew/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But He said to them, “What man is there among you who, if he has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/csb/matthew/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He replied to them, “Who among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/hcsb/matthew/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But He said to them, &#8220What man among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn&#8217t take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/asv/matthew/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he said unto them, What man shall there be of you, that shall have one sheep, and if this fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? <a href="/cev/matthew/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus answered, "If one of your sheep fell into a ditch on the Sabbath, wouldn't you lift it out? <a href="/erv/matthew/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he said unto them, What man shall there be of you, that shall have one sheep, and if this fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? <a href="/gwt/matthew/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus said to them, "Suppose one of you has a sheep. If it falls into a pit on a day of worship, wouldn't you take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/gnt/matthew/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> Jesus answered, "What if one of you has a sheep and it falls into a deep hole on the Sabbath? Will you not take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/isv/matthew/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> But he asked them, "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? <a href="/msb/matthew/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> He replied, ?If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/net/matthew/12.htm">NET Bible</a> He said to them, "Would not any one of you, if he had one sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/nheb/matthew/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And he said to them, "Which one of you who has one sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/wbt/matthew/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he said to them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it shall fall into a pit on the sabbath, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? <a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Which of you is there," He replied, "who, if he has but a single sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/web/matthew/12.htm">World English Bible</a> He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it and lift it out? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And He said to them, “What man will be of you who will have one sheep, and if this may fall on the Sabbaths into a ditch, will not lay hold on it and raise [it]? <a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He said to them, "What man will there be among you, who will have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbaths, will not take hold of it and will raise it up? <a href="/ylt/matthew/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he said to them, 'What man shall be of you, who shall have one sheep, and if this may fall on the sabbaths into a ditch, will not lay hold on it and raise it? <a href="/slt/matthew/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he said to them, Which of you shall be the man who shall have one sheep, and if this should fall into a pit in the sabbaths, will he not take hold of it, and raise it up?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But he said to them: What man shall there be among you, that hath one sheep: and if the same fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not take hold on it and lift it up? <a href="/cpdv/matthew/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But he said to them: “Who is there among you, having even one sheep, if it will have fallen into a pit on the Sabbath, would not take hold of it and lift it up? <a href="/nabre/matthew/12.htm">New American Bible</a> He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep that falls into a pit on the sabbath will not take hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He said to them, “Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> He said to them, Who is the man among you who has only one sheep, and if it should fall into a pit on the sabbath, would he not take hold of it and lift it up? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> He said to them, “Who is the man among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, will not take hold and lift it out?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And he said to them: What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if this fall into a pit on the Sabbath-day, will he not lay hold on it and lift it out? <a href="/godbey/matthew/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And He said to them; <FR>What man shall there he of you, who shall have one sheep, and if it shall fall into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not lay hold of it and lift it up?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then he said to them; What man of you is there who hath one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath, doth he not lay hold on him, and lift him out? <a href="/mace/matthew/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and he answer'd, which of you all that should have one of his sheep fall into a pit on the sabbath-day, would not bestir himself, and lift it out? <a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Which of you is there," He replied, "who, if he has but a single sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? <a href="/worrell/matthew/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And He said to them <FR>"What man of you who shall have one sheep; and, if this should fall into a pit on the sabbath, will not lay hold of it, and raise it up?<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But He said unto them, <FR>What man of you shall have one <Fr>of his<FR> sheep fall into a pit on the sabbath-day, <Fr>and<FR> will not lay hold of it and lift <Fr>it<FR> out?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/12-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=3079" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">Jesus Heals on the Sabbath</a> …10and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” 11<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">He replied,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">“If</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpos (N-NMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">one</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estai (V-FIM-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist."></a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">of</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. "></a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: hexei (V-FIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">has</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: hen (Adj-ANS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">a</a> <a href="/greek/4263.htm" title="4263: probaton (N-ANS) -- A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.">sheep</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-NNS) -- This; he, she, it. ">it</a> <a href="/greek/1706.htm" title="1706: empesē (V-ASA-3S) -- To fall in, be cast in, be involved in. From en and pipto; to fall on, i.e. to be entrapped by, or be overwhelmed with.">falls</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/999.htm" title="999: bothynon (N-AMS) -- A pit, ditch. Akin to bathuno; a hole; specially, a cistern.">a pit</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">on the</a> <a href="/greek/4521.htm" title="4521: sabbasin (N-DNP) -- The Sabbath, a week. ">Sabbath,</a> <a href="/greek/3780.htm" title="3780: ouchi (IntPrtcl) -- By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed."></a> <a href="/greek/2902.htm" title="2902: kratēsei (V-FIA-3S) -- From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.">will he not take hold of</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auto (PPro-AN3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">it</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1453.htm" title="1453: egerei (V-FIA-3S) -- (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.">lift it out?</a> 12How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/14-5.htm">Luke 14:5</a> And He asked them, “Which of you whose son or ox falls into a pit on the Sabbath day will not immediately pull him out?” <a href="/luke/13-15.htm">Luke 13:15-16</a> “You hypocrites!” the Lord replied. “Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it to water? / Then should not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be released from her bondage on the Sabbath day?” <a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4-5</a> If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it. <a href="/deuteronomy/22-4.htm">Deuteronomy 22:4</a> If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up. <a href="/mark/3-4.htm">Mark 3:4</a> And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent. <a href="/luke/6-9.htm">Luke 6:9</a> Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” <a href="/john/7-23.htm">John 7:23</a> If a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses will not be broken, why are you angry with Me for making the whole man well on the Sabbath? <a href="/matthew/7-12.htm">Matthew 7:12</a> In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets. <a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm">Proverbs 12:10</a> A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty. <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a> Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” <a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a> For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. <a href="/galatians/6-2.htm">Galatians 6:2</a> Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. <a href="/romans/13-10.htm">Romans 13:10</a> Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a> He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he said to 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?what.<a href="/luke/13-15.htm">Luke 13:15-17</a> The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? … <a href="/luke/14-5.htm">Luke 14:5</a> And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?and if.<a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4,5</a> If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again… <a href="/deuteronomy/22-4.htm">Deuteronomy 22:4</a> Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/22-11.htm">Ditch</a> <a href="/matthew/11-6.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/matthew/10-29.htm">Falls</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-9.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/matthew/12-10.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-5.htm">Helping</a> <a href="/matthew/11-12.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/matthew/9-16.htm">Hole</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-3.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-11.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/matthew/10-8.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/matthew/12-10.htm">Sabbath</a> <a href="/matthew/12-10.htm">Sabbaths</a> <a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/matthew/6-27.htm">Single</a> <a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Won't</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Ditch</a> <a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/matthew/13-4.htm">Falls</a> <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/matthew/12-13.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/mark/9-24.htm">Helping</a> <a href="/matthew/14-3.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Hole</a> <a href="/luke/13-11.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/matthew/12-19.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/matthew/12-12.htm">Sabbath</a> <a href="/matthew/12-12.htm">Sabbaths</a> <a href="/matthew/12-12.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Single</a> <a href="/matthew/12-20.htm">Won't</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 12</div>1. <a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">by scripture,</a> 9. <a href="/matthew/12-9.htm">by reason,</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/12-13.htm">and by a miracle.</a> 22. <a href="/matthew/12-22.htm">He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub, </a> 32. <a href="/matthew/12-32.htm">he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.</a> 36. <a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Account shall be made of idle words.</a> 38. <a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,</a> 46. <a href="/matthew/12-46.htm">and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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His reply is a common rabbinic method of argumentation, using a question to provoke thought and reflection. This approach is consistent with Jesus' teaching style throughout the Gospels, where He often uses questions to challenge prevailing interpretations of the Law.If one of you has a sheep Sheep were a common and valuable asset in ancient Israel, integral to the agrarian lifestyle. They provided wool, milk, and meat, and were often used in sacrificial offerings. The mention of a sheep would resonate with Jesus' audience, who would understand the importance of caring for such an animal. This reference also subtly connects to Jesus as the Good Shepherd, a theme found in <a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>, where He cares for His flock.and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath The scenario of a sheep falling into a pit is a practical example that the audience could easily relate to. Pits were common hazards in the rocky terrain of Israel. The Sabbath, a day of rest commanded in <a href="/exodus/20-8.htm">Exodus 20:8-11</a>, was strictly observed by the Jews. However, Jesus highlights the tension between the letter of the Law and the spirit of compassion and mercy. This situation echoes the principle found in <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a>, where God desires mercy over sacrifice.will he not take hold of it and lift it out? Jesus appeals to the common sense and compassion of His listeners. The rhetorical question implies that any reasonable person would rescue their sheep, even on the Sabbath, because the value of life and well-being surpasses strict legalism. This act of mercy aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes love and compassion, as seen in <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>. Jesus uses this example to illustrate the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who prioritize legalistic adherence over genuine care for others, a theme He addresses in <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> - The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and teaching about the true spirit of the Sabbath. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> - A religious group known for their strict adherence to the Law, often challenging Jesus on His interpretation and application of the Law. 3. <a href="/topical/s/sheep.htm">Sheep</a> - Used as an example by Jesus to illustrate the value of life and the importance of mercy over ritual. 4. <a href="/topical/s/sabbath.htm">Sabbath</a> - A day of rest and worship in Jewish tradition, which the Pharisees strictly observed, often leading to legalistic interpretations. 5. <a href="/topical/p/pit.htm">Pit</a> - Represents a situation of need or danger, used metaphorically by Jesus to discuss the appropriateness of doing good on the Sabbath.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_spirit_of_the_law.htm">The Spirit of the Law</a> Jesus emphasizes the importance of understanding the spirit behind the Law rather than adhering to a rigid, legalistic interpretation. The Sabbath is meant to be a day of rest and mercy, not a day of burdensome restrictions. <a href="/topical/v/value_of_life_and_mercy.htm">Value of Life and Mercy</a> The example of rescuing a sheep highlights the value of life and the priority of mercy over ritual. Christians are called to prioritize compassion and kindness, even when it challenges traditional norms. <a href="/topical/p/practical_application_of_faith.htm">Practical Application of Faith</a> Faith should be lived out in practical ways that reflect God's love and mercy. This includes being willing to help others in need, regardless of the day or circumstances. <a href="/topical/c/challenging_legalism.htm">Challenging Legalism</a> Jesus challenges the legalistic mindset of the Pharisees, encouraging believers to examine their own hearts and practices to ensure they align with God's heart of love and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 12</a> <a href="/q/can_jesus'_healing_be_historically_verified.htm">Mark 3:1–6: How could Jesus instantly heal a withered hand with no medical intervention, and is there any verifiable historical or archaeological evidence supporting such a miracle?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_all_stop_work_every_7th_day.htm">In Leviticus 23:3, how could an entire population realistically stop all work every seventh day without compromising essential services or survival needs? </a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_day_of_rest.htm">What defines a day of rest?</a> <a href="/q/did_proverbs_12_10_reflect_true_practice.htm">Proverbs 12:10 proclaims care for animals as a sign of righteousness—was this standard truly practiced in an era known for sacrifices and limited animal welfare regulations? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11, 12) Will he not lay hold on it?--As the reasoning takes the form of an argumentum ad hominem, it is clear that the act was regarded as a lawful one, even by the more rigid scribes. The Talmud discusses the question, but does not decide it. Some casuists solved the problem by a compromise. The sheep was not to be pulled out of the pit till the Sabbath was over, but in the meantime it was lawful to supply it with fodder. In St. Mark and St. Luke the question is given in another form, and without the illustration, which we find in St. Luke, in another connection, in <a href="/luke/14-5.htm" title="And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?">Luke 14:5</a>. Jesus bids the man with the withered hand stand up in the midst, and then puts the question, "Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath day or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?" The alternative thus presented as a dilemma was a practical answer to their casuistry. They would have said, "Leave the man as he is till the Sabbath is over;" and our Lord's answer is that in that case good would have been left undone, and that not to do good when it lies in our power is practically to do evil.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - Matthew alone on this occasion, but comp. <a href="/luke/14-5.htm">Luke 14:5</a>. And he said unto them. Christ's answer appeals from intellectual and theoretical difficulties to the practical common sense of ordinary morality (cf. <a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5-7</a>). Their own feelings would guide them to help a brute, much more a man. According to the parallel passages, our Lord first set the man in the midst of them, wishing, perhaps, to draw out their sympathy, and only afterwards spoke this verse of censure (see Chrysostom). What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep. One only, and therefore so much the dearer (Meyer). He would feel an interest in it as an animal that he had learned to love; and he would care for it as his property. In Christ's case also there was the love of man as man, and of man as belonging to him (<a href="/john/10-14.htm">John 10:14</a>; <a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a>). In <a href="/luke/14-5.htm">Luke 14:5</a> ("a son or an ox") the double thought is distributed over two objects; the man Would love his son, and care for his property in the ox. And if it (this, Revised Version) fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? Lightfoot ('Hor. Hebr.') confirms this from the Jerusalem Talmud and Maimonides. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/12-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>He replied, εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “If ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. one ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. of ἐξ (ex) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. you ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. has ἕξει (hexei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. a ἕν (hen) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. sheep πρόβατον (probaton) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4263.htm">Strong's 4263: </a> A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. it τοῦτο (touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. falls ἐμπέσῃ (empesē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1706.htm">Strong's 1706: </a> To fall in, be cast in, be involved in. From en and pipto; to fall on, i.e. to be entrapped by, or be overwhelmed with. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. a pit βόθυνον (bothynon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_999.htm">Strong's 999: </a> A pit, ditch. Akin to bathuno; a hole; specially, a cistern. on the τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Sabbath, σάββασιν (sabbasin) Noun - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4521.htm">Strong's 4521: </a> The Sabbath, a week. will he not take hold of κρατήσει (kratēsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2902.htm">Strong's 2902: </a> From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain. it αὐτὸ (auto) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. lift [it] out? ἐγερεῖ (egerei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1453.htm">Strong's 1453: </a> (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/12-11.htm">Matthew 12:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/12-11.htm">Matthew 12:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/12-11.htm">Matthew 12:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/12-11.htm">Matthew 12:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/12-11.htm">Matthew 12:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/12-11.htm">Matthew 12:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/12-11.htm">Matthew 12:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/12-11.htm">Matthew 12:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/12-11.htm">Matthew 12:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/12-11.htm">Matthew 12:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/12-11.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 12:11 He said to them What man (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/12-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 12:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/12-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 12:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:12" /></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="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>