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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 12:12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/12-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/40_Mat_12_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 12:12 - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! 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Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />How much more valuable therefore <i>is</i> a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbaths."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />How much more valuable then is a person than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful <i>and</i> permissible to do good on the Sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A person is worth far more than a sheep; so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man is worth far more than a sheep, so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />How much then is a man of more value than a sheep! Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />People are worth much more than sheep, and so it is right to do good on the Sabbath." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />How much then is a man of more value than a sheep! Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Certainly, a human is more valuable than a sheep! So it is right to do good on the day of worship."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />And a human being is worth much more than a sheep! So then, our Law does allow us to help someone on the Sabbath." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />How much more is a human being worth than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on Sabbath days." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Of how much more value then is a person than a sheep. Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />How much then is a man better than a sheep? wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is right to do good on the Sabbath."<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />How much better, therefore, is a man than a sheep? So that it is lawful on the Sabbaths to do good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />How much more valuable therefore <i>is</i> a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbaths."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> How much better, therefore, is a man than a sheep? -- so that it is lawful on the sabbaths to do good.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />How much then does a man surpass a sheep? So that it is lawful to do well in the sabbaths.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />How much better is a man than a sheep? Therefore it it lawful to do a good deed on the sabbath days. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />How much better is a man than a sheep? And so, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbaths.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />How much more valuable a person is than a sheep. So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />How much more important is a man than a sheep? It is therefore lawful to do good on the sabbath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“How much greater is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is legal to do good on the Sabbath.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />How much better, then, is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath-days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Therefore how much more valuable is a man than a sheep? So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />is not a man of much greater consequence than a sheep? how lawful then is it to do good offices on the sabbath-day?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is right to do good on the Sabbath."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>How much better, therefore, <i>is</i> a man than a sheep! Therefore, it is lawful to do well on the sabbath."<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And of how much more worth is a man than a sheep? <Fr><i>Sure</i><FR> then it is lawful to do good on the sabbath-days.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/12-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=3089" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">Jesus Heals on the Sabbath</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>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? <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></a> <a href="/greek/4214.htm" title="4214: posō (IPro-DNS) -- How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many).">How much</a> <a href="/greek/1308.htm" title="1308: diapherei (V-PIA-3S) -- From dia and phero; to bear through, i.e. transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. to toss about; subjectively, to differ, or surpass.">more valuable is</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.">a man</a> <a href="/greek/4263.htm" title="4263: probatou (N-GNS) -- A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.">than a sheep!</a> <a href="/greek/5620.htm" title="5620: hōste (Conj) -- So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.">Therefore</a> <a href="/greek/1832.htm" title="1832: exestin (V-PIA-3S) -- It is permitted, lawful, possible. ">it is lawful</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiein (V-PNA) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">to do</a> <a href="/greek/2573.htm" title="2573: kalōs (Adv) -- Well, nobly, honorably, rightly. Adverb from kalos; well.">good</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> </span> <span class="reftext">13</span>Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored to full use, just like the other.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/3-4.htm">Mark 3:4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-9.htm">Luke 6:9</a></span><br />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?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Matthew 6:26</a></span><br />Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-31.htm">Matthew 10:31</a></span><br />So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-24.htm">Luke 12:24</a></span><br />Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-23.htm">John 7:23</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-15.htm">Luke 13:15-16</a></span><br />“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?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-12.htm">Matthew 9:12-13</a></span><br />On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. / But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-8.htm">James 2:8</a></span><br />If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a></span><br />Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a></span><br />For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm">Proverbs 12:10</a></span><br />A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/22-4.htm">Deuteronomy 22:4</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">How much then is a man better than a sheep? Why it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.</p><p class="hdg">is a.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Matthew 6:26</a></b></br> Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/12-24.htm">Luke 12:24</a></b></br> Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?</p><p class="hdg">it is.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/3-4.htm">Mark 3:4</a></b></br> And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/6-9.htm">Luke 6:9</a></b></br> Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy <i>it</i>?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/11-24.htm">Better</a> <a href="/matthew/11-9.htm">Far</a> <a href="/matthew/11-30.htm">Good</a> <a href="/matthew/10-26.htm">However</a> <a href="/matthew/12-10.htm">Lawful</a> <a href="/matthew/12-10.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/matthew/12-10.htm">Right</a> <a href="/matthew/12-11.htm">Sabbath</a> <a href="/matthew/12-11.htm">Sabbaths</a> <a href="/matthew/12-11.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/matthew/10-24.htm">Superior</a> <a href="/matthew/10-31.htm">Valuable</a> <a href="/matthew/10-31.htm">Value</a> <a href="/matthew/11-9.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/18-6.htm">Better</a> <a href="/matthew/14-24.htm">Far</a> <a href="/matthew/12-33.htm">Good</a> <a href="/matthew/12-43.htm">However</a> <a href="/matthew/14-4.htm">Lawful</a> <a href="/matthew/12-27.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/matthew/14-4.htm">Right</a> <a href="/matthew/24-20.htm">Sabbath</a> <a href="/mark/1-21.htm">Sabbaths</a> <a href="/matthew/15-24.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/matthew/18-4.htm">Superior</a> <a href="/luke/12-7.htm">Valuable</a> <a href="/matthew/13-46.htm">Value</a> <a href="/matthew/12-31.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">by scripture,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-9.htm">by reason,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-13.htm">and by a miracle.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-22.htm">He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-32.htm">he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Account shall be made of idle words.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-46.htm">and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.</a></span><br></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>How much more valuable is a man than a sheep!</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the intrinsic value of human life over animals, reflecting the biblical teaching that humans are made in the image of God (<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>). In the context of <a href="/matthew/12.htm">Matthew 12</a>, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees' legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath laws. The comparison to sheep, a common and valuable livestock in ancient Israel, highlights the greater worth of human beings. This echoes the Old Testament principle found in <a href="/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4-8</a>, where humanity's dominion over creation is affirmed. The rhetorical question underscores the priority of human needs and well-being over strict ritual observance.<p><b>Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.</b><br>Jesus asserts the principle that the Sabbath, a day of rest instituted in the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-8.htm">Exodus 20:8-11</a>), should not prevent acts of mercy and goodness. This statement challenges the prevailing Jewish interpretation of Sabbath laws, which had become burdensome and restrictive. By declaring it lawful to do good, Jesus aligns with the prophetic tradition that prioritizes mercy over sacrifice (<a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a>). This teaching is consistent with Jesus' mission to fulfill the law (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>) and reflects the heart of God, who desires compassion and justice. The phrase also prefigures the new covenant, where the spirit of the law is emphasized over the letter (<a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">2 Corinthians 3:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching about the true purpose of the Sabbath and the value of human life.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a></b><br>Religious leaders who often challenged Jesus, particularly regarding the observance of the Sabbath.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_man_with_the_withered_hand.htm">The Man with the Withered Hand</a></b><br>The individual whom Jesus heals in the synagogue, illustrating His teaching on the Sabbath.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_synagogue.htm">The Synagogue</a></b><br>The place where this event occurs, serving as a setting for Jesus' teaching and healing.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sabbath.htm">The Sabbath</a></b><br>A day of rest and worship in Jewish tradition, which Jesus reinterprets in light of doing good and valuing human life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_human_life.htm">The Value of Human Life</a></b><br>Jesus emphasizes the intrinsic worth of every person, surpassing even the value of animals. This calls us to prioritize human dignity and well-being in our actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_purpose_of_the_sabbath.htm">The Purpose of the Sabbath</a></b><br>The Sabbath is not merely a day of rest but a time to reflect God's love through acts of goodness and mercy. Our observance should focus on life-giving activities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legalism_vs._compassion.htm">Legalism vs. Compassion</a></b><br>Jesus challenges the legalistic interpretation of the law by the Pharisees, teaching that compassion and mercy should guide our understanding and application of God's commandments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/doing_good_as_a_priority.htm">Doing Good as a Priority</a></b><br>Acts of kindness and healing are always appropriate, even on the Sabbath. We are called to seek opportunities to do good, regardless of the day or circumstance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_character.htm">Reflecting God's Character</a></b><br>By doing good on the Sabbath, we reflect God's character, who is compassionate and merciful. Our actions should mirror His love and care for humanity.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_life-saving_above_religious_laws.htm">Is saving a life more important than religious laws?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jesus_heal_on_the_sabbath.htm">Matthew 12:9–14: Why does Jesus seem to disregard the command to rest on the Sabbath by healing someone, reportedly violating Exodus 20:8–10? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_should_we_honor_the_sabbath_day.htm">How should we honor the Sabbath day?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_jesus_in_the_tomb_3_days_nights.htm">Was Jesus in the tomb for three days and three nights? (Matthew 12:40 vs. Mark 15:42-47)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">How much then is a man better than a sheep?</span> (<a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Matthew 6:26</a>; <a href="/matthew/10-31.htm">Matthew 10:31</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Wherefore it is lawful to do well</span> (<span class="accented">to do good</span>, Revised Version) <span class="cmt_word">on the sabbath</span> <span class="cmt_word">days.</span> He answers their question about healing (ver. 10) by enunciating a general principle which would cover more. "Doing good" (perhaps merely "well-doing," <a href="/acts/10-33.htm">Acts 10:33</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/7-37.htm">1 Corinthians 7:37</a>; but probably "doing good to" another, cf. <a href="/luke/6-26.htm">Luke 6:26, 27</a>; and the parallel passages here, <span class="greek">ἀγαθοποιῆσαι η}'</span> <span class="greek">κακοποιῆσαι</span>) is to be one test by which the duty of resting or of working on the sabbath is to be determined. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/12-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">How much</span><br /><span class="grk">πόσῳ</span> <span class="translit">(posō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4214.htm">Strong's 4214: </a> </span><span class="str2">How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">more valuable is</span><br /><span class="grk">διαφέρει</span> <span class="translit">(diapherei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1308.htm">Strong's 1308: </a> </span><span class="str2">From dia and phero; to bear through, i.e. transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. to toss about; subjectively, to 'differ', or surpass.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄνθρωπος</span> <span class="translit">(anthrōpos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than a sheep!</span><br /><span class="grk">προβάτου</span> <span class="translit">(probatou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4263.htm">Strong's 4263: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Therefore</span><br /><span class="grk">ὥστε</span> <span class="translit">(hōste)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5620.htm">Strong's 5620: </a> </span><span class="str2">So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it is lawful</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔξεστιν</span> <span class="translit">(exestin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1832.htm">Strong's 1832: </a> </span><span class="str2">It is permitted, lawful, possible. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to do</span><br /><span class="grk">ποιεῖν</span> <span class="translit">(poiein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">good</span><br /><span class="grk">καλῶς</span> <span class="translit">(kalōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2573.htm">Strong's 2573: </a> </span><span class="str2">Well, nobly, honorably, rightly. Adverb from kalos; well.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(tois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Sabbath.”</span><br /><span class="grk">σάββασιν</span> <span class="translit">(sabbasin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4521.htm">Strong's 4521: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Sabbath, a week. </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/12-12.htm">Matthew 12:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/12-12.htm">Matthew 12:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/12-12.htm">Matthew 12:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/12-12.htm">Matthew 12:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/12-12.htm">Matthew 12:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/12-12.htm">Matthew 12:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/12-12.htm">Matthew 12:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/12-12.htm">Matthew 12:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/12-12.htm">Matthew 12:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/12-12.htm">Matthew 12:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/12-12.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 12:12 Of how much more value then (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/12-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 12:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/12-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 12:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:13" /></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="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>