Matthew 12:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

NIV: But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

NASB: But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

CSB: But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, how they might kill him.

NLT: Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.

KJV: Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

NKJV: Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.

Yet another confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees ends with them walking out in frustration and defeat. Christ has revealed that their arrogant legalism, about whether it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath, misses the point of God's law. God desires mercy from them, not sacrifice (Matthew 12:7). Jesus' answer showed they were not concerned about the man they used for bait (Matthew 12:9–10). Their only goal was to find an accusation against Jesus.

The result of yet another thwarted trap did not change the minds of these hard-hearted men. Instead, it deepened their conspiracy against Him. They were desperate to destroy Him. The problem was that Israel's religious leaders had limited formal political power within the Roman empire. If they truly wanted Jesus dead, they would either need to have Him murdered, turn a mob against Him, or convince the Roman authorities that He was a revolutionary.

Why so much hatred? On a personal level, Jesus had called them out for failing to shepherd the people of God in a merciful way. He had embarrassed them in multiple exchanges. He openly challenged their authority. Officially, their complaint against Jesus was His claim to be the Messiah of Israel and the Son of God (John 19:7). Since they were sure this could not possibly true, it was a heresy that deserved death.

A more crucial question is why the Pharisees could not see Jesus for what He was. Instead of accepting that His miraculous power came from God, they decided that His power was from the devil (Matthew 12:24). Instead of seeing His works and teaching as a fulfillment of the Scriptures they knew so well (John 5:39–40), they saw Him as a threat to their power and status quo under the Roman rule.

In the previous chapter, Jesus thanked God the Father for hiding the truth from those who are wise and understanding, according to the world (Matthew 11:25). He likely had the Jewish religious leaders in mind.

Matthew 12:9–14 finds Jesus and His disciples in the synagogue, encountering a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees once again attempt to trick Jesus. They ask if it's lawful to heal on the Sabbath, since healing is "work," and the law supposedly forbids it. Jesus asks if they would leave one of their sheep in a pit if it fell in on the Sabbath, emphasizing that people are more valuable than sheep. Jesus insists that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath and fully heals the man's hand in an instant. The Pharisees walk out and deepen their conspiracy to destroy Jesus.

Matthew 12 features confrontations between the Pharisees and Jesus over several issues. Among these are working on the Sabbath, healing on the Sabbath, and the source of His power to cast out demons. Jesus counters each argument and rebukes the Pharisees sharply for their obstinate unbelief. He even notes that those who maliciously ascribe His miracles to demons are unforgivable. He warns them, and the rest of their current generation, about the judgment to come. Jesus calls the Pharisees a brood of vipers and rejects their demand for another miracle. All they'll be promised is the sign of Jonah. The Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days. Jesus also states that all who do His Father's will are His family.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.