Matthew 12:5
New International Version
Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

New Living Translation
And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?

English Standard Version
Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?

Berean Standard Bible
Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

Berean Literal Bible
Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?

King James Bible
Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

New King James Version
Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?

New American Standard Bible
Or have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath, and yet are innocent?

NASB 1995
“Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent?

NASB 1977
“Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath, and are innocent?

Legacy Standard Bible
Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent?

Amplified Bible
Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break [the sanctity of] the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

Christian Standard Bible
Or haven’t you read in the law that on Sabbath days the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Or haven’t you read in the Law that on Sabbath days the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent?

American Standard Version
Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?

Contemporary English Version
Haven't you read in the Law of Moses that the priests are allowed to work in the temple on the Sabbath? But no one says they are guilty of breaking the law of the Sabbath.

English Revised Version
Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Or haven't you read in Moses' Teachings that on the day of worship the priests in the temple do things they shouldn't on the day of worship yet remain innocent?

Good News Translation
Or have you not read in the Law of Moses that every Sabbath the priests in the Temple actually break the Sabbath law, yet they are not guilty?

International Standard Version
Or haven't you read in the Law that on every Sabbath the priests in the Temple violate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

Majority Standard Bible
Or haven?t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

NET Bible
Or have you not read in the law that the priests in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are not guilty?

New Heart English Bible
Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are blameless?

Webster's Bible Translation
Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

Weymouth New Testament
And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt?

World English Bible
Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Or did you not read in the Law that on the Sabbaths the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are blameless?

Berean Literal Bible
Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?

Young's Literal Translation
'Or did ye not read in the Law, that on the sabbaths the priests in the temple do profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

Smith's Literal Translation
Or have ye not read in the law, that in the sabbaths, the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are innocent?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple break the sabbath, and are without blame?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbaths the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath, and they are without guilt?

New American Bible
Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent?

New Revised Standard Version
Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Or, have you not read in the book of law, that the priests in the temple disregard the sabbath, and yet are blameless?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Or have you not read in The Written Law that the priests in The Temple profane the Sabbath and are blameless?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Or, have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath-days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?

Godbey New Testament
Have you not read in the law, that the priests in the temple do profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?

Haweis New Testament
Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbaths the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are not culpable?

Mace New Testament
or have ye not observed in the law, what a work the priests made in the temple on the sabbath-day, without being blamed?

Weymouth New Testament
And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt?

Worrell New Testament
Or did ye not read in the law that, on the sabbath, the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?

Worsley New Testament
what profane sort of work the priests do in the temple on the sabbath-days, and yet are blameless?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Lord of the Sabbath
4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests. 5Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.…

Cross References
Numbers 28:9-10
On the Sabbath day, present two unblemished year-old male lambs, accompanied by a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, as well as a drink offering. / This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

Leviticus 24:8-9
Every Sabbath day the bread is to be set out before the LORD on behalf of the Israelites as a permanent covenant. / It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place; for it is to him a most holy part of the food offerings to the LORD—his portion forever.”

1 Chronicles 9:32
Some of their Kohathite relatives were responsible for preparing the rows of the showbread every Sabbath.

2 Chronicles 8:12-13
At that time Solomon offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of the LORD he had built in front of the portico. / He observed the daily requirement for offerings according to the commandment of Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons, and the three annual appointed feasts—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

Nehemiah 13:15-22
In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day. / Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem. / Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day? ...

Ezekiel 44:24
In any dispute, they shall officiate as judges and judge according to My ordinances. They must keep My laws and statutes regarding all My appointed feasts, and they must keep My Sabbaths holy.

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Isaiah 1:13
Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.

Jeremiah 17:21-22
This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. / You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers.

Exodus 31:14-15
Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people. / For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death.

John 7:22-23
But because Moses gave you circumcision, you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath (not that it is from Moses, but from the patriarchs.) / 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?

Mark 2:27-28
Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. / Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Luke 6:5
Then Jesus declared, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Hebrews 7:11-12
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.

Romans 14:5
One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.


Treasury of Scripture

Or have you not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

on.

Numbers 28:9,10
And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: …

John 7:22,23
Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man…

profane.

Nehemiah 13:17
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?

Ezekiel 24:21
Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.

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Blameless Break Broken Desecrate Guilt Guiltless Incurring Innocent Law Priests Profane Read Sabbath Sabbaths Temple Wrong
Matthew 12
1. Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,
3. by scripture,
9. by reason,
13. and by a miracle.
22. He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;
24. and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub,
32. he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.
36. Account shall be made of idle words.
38. He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,
46. and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.














Or haven’t you read in the Law
This phrase indicates Jesus is addressing those familiar with the Jewish Scriptures, particularly the Pharisees, who prided themselves on their knowledge of the Law. The Law refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which were central to Jewish religious life. Jesus often used this rhetorical question to challenge the Pharisees' understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures, pointing out their selective application and misunderstanding of the Law's intent.

that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath
The Sabbath was a day of rest, as commanded in Exodus 20:8-11, where no work was to be done. However, the priests in the temple had to perform sacrifices and other duties even on the Sabbath, as outlined in Numbers 28:9-10. This work was necessary for the temple's functioning and was considered an exception to the Sabbath rest. This highlights the principle that the temple service, which was a higher duty, took precedence over the Sabbath restrictions, illustrating that the Law itself allowed for exceptions when it came to serving God.

and yet are innocent?
Despite technically breaking the Sabbath by working, the priests were considered innocent because their work was in service to God and necessary for worship. This underscores the principle that the purpose of the Law is not to impose burdens but to facilitate a relationship with God. Jesus uses this example to argue that mercy and the intent behind actions are more important than strict legalism. This anticipates His teaching that He is "Lord of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8), emphasizing that He has authority over the Law and its interpretation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and teaching about the true meaning of the Sabbath.

2. Pharisees
A religious group known for their strict adherence to the Law, they challenge Jesus regarding His disciples' actions on the Sabbath.

3. Priests
Religious leaders who serve in the temple, performing duties that are considered work even on the Sabbath.

4. Temple
The holy place in Jerusalem where the priests perform their duties, central to Jewish worship and sacrificial practices.

5. Sabbath
The seventh day of the week, set apart by God as a day of rest and worship, as commanded in the Ten Commandments.
Teaching Points
Understanding the Law's Purpose
The Law, including the Sabbath, was given for the benefit of humanity, not as a burden. Jesus highlights the need to understand the spirit of the Law rather than just the letter.

Role of the Priests
The priests' work on the Sabbath illustrates that some duties, especially those related to worship and service to God, transcend the typical Sabbath restrictions. This points to the importance of prioritizing God's work.

Mercy Over Sacrifice
Jesus emphasizes that God values mercy and compassion over ritualistic adherence to the Law. This calls believers to prioritize love and mercy in their interactions.

Jesus' Authority
By referencing the Law and the temple, Jesus asserts His authority over the Sabbath, indicating His divine understanding and interpretation of the Law.

Practical Sabbath Observance
Believers are encouraged to view the Sabbath as a time for rest, worship, and acts of mercy, rather than a strict legalistic observance.(5) The priests in the temple profane the sabbath.--The work of the priests, as described, e.g., in Numbers 28:9, viz., slaying victims, placing the shewbread, involved an amount of labour which, in work of any other kind, would have broken the Sabbath rest; yet no one blamed the priests, for they were serving in the Temple of Jehovah.

Verse 5. - Matthew only. Or. A second example, if the first does not convince you. Have ye not read in the Law. Beyond which there is no appeal. Jewish authors often appeal to Scripture in the order of Hagio-graphs, Prophets, and, last of all, Law. He here refers to Leviticus 24:8 (cf. also 1 Chronicles 9:32), but Bengel's suggestive remark that Leviticus was read in the services at that very time of year is vitiated by the double uncertainty, first, what time of year it really was; and secondly, what is the antiquity of the present custom of reading the whole Law every year (cf. Dr. Lumby on Acts 13, 'Add. Note'). According to the express orders of the Law, the priests put in fresh shewbread on the sabbath day. How that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple. The word of wider import is used (ἱερόν, not σκηνή), because the Law still holds good. Profane the sabbath. If their work is regarded in itself, as the action of my disciples is now regarded. And are blameless? (guiltless, Revised Version, as also the Authorized Version in ver. 7); i.e. in the eyes of the Law. This you will all grant (cf. Schurer, II. 2:103). Lightfoot's ('Her. Hebr.') attractive quotation from Maimonides in ' Pesachim,' 1. (i.e. 'Hilkoth Korban Pesach,' § 1.), "There is no sabbatism at all in the temple," appears to rest on a misunderstanding.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Or
(Ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

haven’t you read
ἀνέγνωτε (anegnōte)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 314: To read, know again, know certainly, recognize, discern. From ana and ginosko; to know again, i.e. to read.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Law
νόμῳ (nomō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

on the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: 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
Strong's 4521: The Sabbath, a week.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

priests
ἱερεῖς (hiereis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2409: A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

temple
ἱερῷ (hierō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2411: Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.

break
βεβηλοῦσιν (bebēlousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 953: To profane, pollute, violate. From bebelos; to desecrate.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Sabbath
σάββατον (sabbaton)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4521: The Sabbath, a week.

and yet
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

are
εἰσιν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

innocent?
ἀναίτιοί (anaitioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 338: Guiltless, innocent. Innocent.


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