Matthew 12 Darby Translation
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath through the cornfields; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears and to eat.
1 At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.
2 But the Pharisees, seeing [it], said to him, Behold, thy disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on sabbath.
2 But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
3 But he said to them, Have ye not read what David did when he was hungry, and they that were with him?
3 But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:
4 How he entered into the house of God, and ate the shewbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those with him, but for the priests only?
4 how he entered into God’s house and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?
5 Or have ye not read in the law that on the sabbaths the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?
6 But I say unto you, that there is here what is greater than the temple.
6 But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.
7 But if ye had known what is: I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.
8 For the Son of man is Lord of the sabbath.
8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
9 And, going away from thence, he came into their synagogue.
9 He departed from there and went into their synagogue.
10 And behold, there was a man having his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath? that they might accuse him.
10 And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” so that they might accuse him.
11 But he said to them, What man shall there be of you who has one sheep, and if this fall into a pit on the sabbath, will not lay hold of it and raise [it] up?
11 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?
12 How much better then is a man than a sheep! So that it is lawful to do well on the sabbath.
12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.”
13 Then he says to the man, Stretch out thy hand. And he stretched [it] out, and it was restored sound as the other.
13 Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other.
14 But the Pharisees, having gone out, took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.
14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how they might destroy him.
15 But Jesus knowing [it], withdrew thence, and great crowds followed him; and he healed them all:
15 Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all,
16 and charged them strictly that they should not make him publicly known:
16 and commanded them that they should not make him known,
17 that that might be fulfilled which was spoken through Esaias the prophet, saying,
17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul has found its delight. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall shew forth judgment to the nations.
18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He shall not strive or cry out, nor shall any one hear his voice in the streets;
19 He will not strive, nor shout, neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
20 a bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, until he bring forth judgment unto victory;
20 He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory.
21 and on his name shall [the] nations hope.
21 In his name, the nations will hope.”
22 Then was brought to him one possessed by a demon, blind and dumb, and he healed him, so that the dumb [man] spake and saw.
22 Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him; and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.
23 And all the crowds were amazed and said, Is this [man] the Son of David?
23 All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?”
24 But the Pharisees, having heard [it], said, This [man] does not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub, prince of demons.
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.”
25 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not subsist.
25 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom subsist?
26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, your sons, by whom do they cast [them] out? For this reason they shall be your judges.
27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
28 But if I by [the] Spirit of God cast out demons, then indeed the kingdom of God is come upon you.
28 But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you.
29 Or how can any one enter into the house of the strong [man] and plunder his goods, unless first he bind the strong [man]? and then he will plunder his house.
29 Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.
30 He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathers not with me scatters.
30 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters.
31 For this reason I say unto you, Every sin and injurious speaking shall be forgiven to men, but speaking injuriously of the Spirit shall not be forgiven to men.
31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
32 And whosoever shall have spoken a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age nor in the coming [one].
32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in that which is to come.
33 Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt. For from the fruit the tree is known.
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.
34 Offspring of vipers! how can ye speak good things, being wicked? For of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
34 You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
35 The good man out of the good treasure brings forth good things; and the wicked man out of the wicked treasure brings forth wicked things.
35 The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things.
36 But I say unto you, that every idle word which men shall say, they shall render an account of it in judgment-day:
36 I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
37 for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
38 Then answered him some of the scribes and Pharisees, saying, Teacher, we desire to see a sign from thee.
38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
39 But he, answering, said to them, A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and a sign shall not be given to it save the sign of Jonas the prophet.
39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.
40 For even as Jonas was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights, thus shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.
40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 Ninevites shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and behold, more than Jonas [is] here.
41 The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here.
42 A queen of [the] south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, more than Solomon [is] here.
42 The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.
43 But when the unclean spirit has gone out of the man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and does not find [it].
43 “When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest, and doesn’t find it.
44 Then he says, I will return to my house whence I came out; and having come, he finds [it] unoccupied, swept, and adorned.
44 Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came;’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.
45 Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits worse than himself, and entering in, they dwell there; and the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. Thus shall it be to this wicked generation also.
45 Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.”
46 But while he was yet speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
46 While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren are standing without, seeking to speak to thee.
47 One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.”
48 But he answering said to him that spoke to him, Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?
48 But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”
49 And, stretching out his hand to his disciples, he said, Behold my mother and my brethren;
49 He stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers!
50 for whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in [the] heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
50 For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Cross references (49)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Deuteronomy 23:25; Mark 2:23–28; Luke 6:1–5
- 2 Matthew 12:10; John 7:21–24; Exodus 20:9–11; Mark 3:2–5; Exodus 31:15–17
- 3 1 Samuel 21:3–6; Luke 6:3; Mark 2:25–26; Matthew 21:16; Mark 12:10
- 4 Leviticus 24:5–9; Exodus 25:30; Exodus 29:32–33; Leviticus 8:31
- 5 Numbers 28:9–10; John 7:22–23
- 6 Matthew 12:41–42; 2 Chronicles 6:18; 1 Peter 2:4–5; Malachi 3:1; Haggai 2:7–9
- 7 Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13; Micah 6:6–8; Isaiah 1:11–17; Proverbs 17:15
- 8 Luke 6:5; Mark 2:28; John 5:17–23; Mark 9:4–7; Matthew 9:6
- 9 Luke 6:6–11; Mark 3:1–6
- 10 Luke 13:14; John 9:16; John 8:6; Matthew 22:17–18; Luke 11:54
- 11 Deuteronomy 22:4; Luke 14:5; Luke 13:15–17; Exodus 23:4–5
- 12 Matthew 6:26; Luke 6:9; Mark 3:4; Matthew 10:31; Luke 12:24
- 13 Luke 13:13; Acts 3:7–8
- 14 John 11:53; Luke 6:11; Mark 3:6; John 10:39; John 5:18
- 15 Mark 3:7–12; Matthew 10:23; John 7:1; Matthew 19:2; John 11:54
- 16 Matthew 9:30; Matthew 8:4; Matthew 17:9; Mark 7:36; Luke 5:14–15
- 17 Isaiah 42:1–4; Isaiah 42:9; Isaiah 41:22–23; Matthew 13:35; Matthew 21:4
- 18 Isaiah 42:1; Luke 4:18; John 3:34; Acts 10:38; Isaiah 61:1–3
- 19 Matthew 11:29; 2 Timothy 2:24–25; John 18:36–38; 2 Corinthians 10:1; Luke 17:20
- 20 Isaiah 42:3–4; Ezekiel 34:16; Isaiah 61:1–3; Luke 4:18; Psalm 147:3
- 21 Isaiah 11:10; Romans 15:12–13; Isaiah 42:4; Colossians 1:27; Ephesians 1:12–13
- 22 Luke 11:14–15; Mark 7:35–37; Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5–6; Acts 26:18
- 23 Matthew 9:27; John 4:29; Matthew 22:42–43; Matthew 9:33; John 7:40–42
- 24 Mark 3:22; Matthew 9:34; Luke 11:15
- 25 Galatians 5:15; Jeremiah 17:10; Matthew 9:4; Mark 3:23–27; 1 Corinthians 2:11
- 26 Colossians 1:13; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 20:2–3; John 12:31; Revelation 12:9
- 27 Mark 9:38–39; Acts 19:13–16; Luke 9:49–50; Luke 11:19; Romans 3:19
- 28 Luke 11:20; Daniel 7:14; Matthew 6:33; Acts 10:38; Colossians 1:13
- 29 Isaiah 49:24; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21–22; 1 John 4:4; Revelation 20:7–9
- 30 Mark 9:40; Luke 11:23; Joshua 24:15; Luke 9:50; 1 John 2:19
- 31 Luke 12:10; Mark 3:28–30; Hebrews 10:29; Hebrews 10:26; Acts 7:51
- 32 Mark 3:29; Hebrews 10:26–29; Hebrews 6:4–6; Luke 12:10; Matthew 12:31
- 33 Luke 6:43–44; Matthew 7:16–20; James 4:8; John 15:4–7; Matthew 3:8–10
- 34 Luke 6:45; Matthew 15:18; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Samuel 24:13; James 3:5–8
- 35 Colossians 4:6; Proverbs 15:4; Proverbs 15:28; Colossians 3:16; Proverbs 25:11–12
- 36 Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 2:16; Revelation 20:12; Jude 14–15; Ephesians 6:4–6
- 37 Proverbs 13:3; James 2:21–25
- 38 1 Corinthians 1:22; Mark 8:11–12; Luke 11:29; John 2:18; Luke 11:16
- 39 Matthew 16:4; Luke 11:29–32; James 4:4; Isaiah 57:3; Mark 8:38
- 40 Jonah 1:17; Matthew 27:63–64; John 2:19; Matthew 17:23; Matthew 16:21
- 41 Matthew 12:42; Hebrews 11:7; Romans 2:27; John 3:31; Matthew 12:6
- 42 1 Kings 10:1–13; 2 Chronicles 9:1–12; Hebrews 1:2–4; Luke 11:31–32; John 1:14
- 43 Luke 11:24–26; Luke 8:28–32; Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7–13; Amos 8:11–13
- 44 1 John 4:4; 1 John 2:19; Psalm 81:11–12; Revelation 13:8–9; Jude 4–5
- 45 Luke 11:26; Hebrews 6:4–8; Mark 5:9; Hebrews 10:26–31; 2 Peter 2:14–22
- 46 Matthew 13:55; John 7:3; John 2:12; John 7:5; Mark 3:31–35
- 48 Mark 3:32–33; Matthew 10:37; Luke 2:52; Deuteronomy 33:9; John 2:3–4
- 49 Mark 3:34; John 17:20; John 20:17–20; Matthew 28:7; John 17:8–9
- 50 Luke 8:21; Mark 3:35; John 15:14; Matthew 28:10; Luke 11:27–28
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
There has been a great question raised touching the late lesson of the Gospel, to the solution of which I am unequal by any power of mine own; but "our sufficiency is of God," to whatever degree we are capable of receiving His aid.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
But Luke saith, "On a double Sabbath." Now what is a double Sabbath? When the cessation from toil is twofold, both that of the regular Sabbath, and that of another feast coming upon it. For they call every cessation from toil, a sabbath.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
For when the unclean spirit of folly has gone forth, and when afterwards he finds them not waiting upon God, but occupied with mere worldly questions, then, "taking seven other spirits more wicked than himself," and inflating the minds of these men with the notion of their being able to conceive of something beyond God, and having fitly prepared them …
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the utter most parts of the earth to hear the words of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here." Two things we learn from this passage, that a judgment is to take place, and that it …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
Whereas, if they were in discord, neither could this have been pointed out, and the doctrine itself had long since been brought to nought: "for every kingdom," saith He, "divided against itself shall not stand." But now even in this shines forth the might of the Spirit, namely, in that it prevailed on these men, engaged as they were in …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)