Matthew 12:4-36
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 12
4how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? 5Or have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath, and yet are innocent? 6But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. 7But if you had known what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, RATHER THAN SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
9Departing from there, He went into their synagogue.
10And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?'—so that they might bring charges against Him.
11But 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?
12How much more valuable then is a person than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.'
13Then He *said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand!' He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other.
14But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.
15But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all,
16and warned them not to tell who He was.
17This happened so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled:
18'BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL DELIGHTS; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE WILL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.
19HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
20A BENT REED HE WILL NOT BREAK off, AND A DIMLY BURNING WICK HE WILL NOT EXTINGUISH, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.
21AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE.'
22Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to Jesus, and He healed him so that the man who was unable to speak talked and could see.
23And all the crowds were amazed and were saying, 'This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?'
24But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, 'This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.'
25And knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
26And if Satan is casting out Satan, he has become divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
27And if by Beelzebul I cast out the demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges.
28But if I cast out the demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29Or, how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
31Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.
32And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.
33Either assume the tree to be good as well as its fruit good, or assume the tree to be bad as well as its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
34You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, express any good things? For the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart.
35The good person brings out of his good treasure good things; and the evil person brings out of his evil treasure evil things.
36But I tell you that for every careless word that people speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgment.
King James Version
Chapter 12
4How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 5Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 6But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 7But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
9And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
10And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
11And 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
12How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
13Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
14Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
15But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
16And charged them that they should not make him known:
17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
19He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
20A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
21And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
22Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
23And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
25And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
28But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
29Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
31Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
33Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 12
4how he entered the house of God, and they ate the bread of the Presence—which is not lawful for him or for those with him to eat, but only for the priests? 5Or haven’t you read in the law that on Sabbath days the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? 6I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
9Moving on from there, he entered their synagogue.
10There he saw a man who had a shriveled hand, and in order to accuse him they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
11He 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?
12A person is worth far more than a sheep; so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath."
13Then he told the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out, and it was restored, as good as the other.
14But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, how they might kill him.
15Jesus was aware of this and withdrew. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all.
16He warned them not to make him known,
17so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
18 Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not argue or shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not put out a smoldering wick, until he has led justice to victory.
21 The nations will put their hope in his name.
22Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to him. He healed him, so that the man could both speak and see.
23All the crowds were astounded and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
25Knowing their thoughts, he told them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
27And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges.
28If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29How can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
30Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.
31Therefore, I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
32Whoever 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 the one to come.
33"Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
34Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
35A good person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.
36I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.
New Living Translation
Chapter 12
4He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. 5And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 6I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 7But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ 8For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!'
9Then Jesus went over to their synagogue,
10where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, 'Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?' (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)
11And 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.
12And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.'
13Then he said to the man, 'Hold out your hand.' So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one!
14Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.
15But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them,
16but he warned them not to reveal who he was.
17This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:
18'Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public.
20He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
21And his name will be the hope of all the world.'
22Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see.
23The crowd was amazed and asked, 'Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?'
25Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, 'Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart.
26And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.
27And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said.
28But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.
29For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger — someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.
31So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven — except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.
32Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
33A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.
34You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.
35A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.
36And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.
English Standard Version
Chapter 12
4how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."
9He went on from there and entered their synagogue.
10And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" — so that they might accuse him.
11He 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?
12Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
13Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.
14But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
15Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all
16and ordered them not to make him known.
17This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
18 "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope."
22Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.
23And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?"
24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons."
25Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
26And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
27And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29Or how can someone enter a strong man 's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.
30Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
32And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.
34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
35The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
36I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
New International Version
Chapter 12
4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
9Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue,
10and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
11He said to them, "If 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?
12How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
13Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.
14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
15Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.
16He warned them not to tell others about him.
17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
18"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.
21In his name the nations will put their hope."
22Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.
23All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
25Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
27And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
30"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
31And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
35A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
36But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
New King James Version
Chapter 12
4how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? 6Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. 7But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
9Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue.
10And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him.
11Then 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?
12Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
13Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.
14Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.
15But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.
16Yet He warned them not to make Him known,
17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
18“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.
19He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
20A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory;
21And in His name Gentiles will trust.”
22Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.
23And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
25But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
27And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.
28But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
30He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
31“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
32Anyone who 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 the age to come.
33“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
34Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
35A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
36But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.