Matthew 12 Commentary: Conflicts, Kingdoms, and True Kinship
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
How 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?
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?
But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
And, 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.
And 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?
How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
And charged them that they should not make him known:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
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 shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Then 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.
And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
And 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:
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Or 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.
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
Wherefore 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.
And 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.
Either 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.
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
A 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.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Matthew 12 presents a series of confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees, highlighting their legalistic interpretations of the Law and their growing opposition to Jesus' ministry. This chapter reveals Jesus' authority, not only over the Sabbath but also over demonic forces, and redefines what it means to be part of God's family. It serves as a critical turning point, foreshadowing the shift in Jesus' teaching style towards parables in the following chapter. This chapter is also filled with SEO keywords such as Matthew 12.
The Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-8)
The chapter opens with Jesus and His disciples walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath. The hungry disciples pluck heads of grain and eat them, a practice permitted by Old Testament law. However, the hyper-legalistic Pharisees, focused on their own traditions, accuse them of violating the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-2). They had created so many additional regulations and introduced so many scenarios to the way the Sabbath was handled that they considered the disciples’ actions equivalent to working in the grain fields.
Jesus responds with a series of powerful arguments, directly challenging the Pharisees' rigid interpretation of the Law. First, He references David's actions when he and his men were hungry, eating the consecrated bread that was reserved for the priests (Matthew 12:3-4, 1 Samuel 21:1-6). Haven’t you read what David did? (Matthew 12:3)—that is to say, “Don’t you know your Bibles?” Scripture itself, then, testifies that God’s laws were never meant to get in the way of taking care of the necessities of life. The Sabbath was for the benefit of man, not for his destruction (see Mark 2:27).
Next, Jesus reminds them that the priests violate the Sabbath all the time because they have to do God’s work on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:5). The Pharisees were legalists, serving to remind us that whenever the commands of God prevent you from loving and serving God, you’re using his commands inappropriately.
He then quotes Hosea 6:6, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice," emphasizing God's priority for compassion over ritualistic observance (Matthew 12:7). He’s not impressed if you know your Bible but have a heart of stone.
Finally, Jesus declares Himself "Lord of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8), asserting His divine authority to interpret and apply the Sabbath law. The only thing greater than God’s house is God; therefore, Jesus was letting them know who he was. And since it’s his show, he gets to decide how the Sabbath is honored.
This passage underscores that God's laws are meant to be understood and applied with mercy and compassion, not used as tools for judgment and oppression.
Healing on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:9-14)
Continuing the theme of Sabbath observance, Jesus enters a synagogue where a man with a withered hand is present. The Pharisees, seeking to trap Jesus, ask Him if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:9-10). However, they weren’t asking an honest question but looking for an opportunity to accuse him.
Jesus responds by turning the tables on them. Who wouldn’t help his sheep if it fell into a pit on the Sabbath? (Matthew 12:11). No one, of course. The Pharisees, then, were willing to do for a sheep what they wouldn’t do for a hurting man! Jesus reasons that it is always lawful to do good, especially on the Sabbath, because people are more valuable than animals (Matthew 12:11-12). Then he mercifully heals the man (Matthew 12:13).
This miracle further exposes the Pharisees' hypocrisy and their lack of compassion. Instead of rejoicing in the man's healing, they are enraged and plot to kill Jesus (Matthew 12:14).
The Chosen Servant (Matthew 12:15-21)
Aware of the Pharisees' plot, Jesus withdraws, but crowds still follow Him, and He heals them all (Matthew 12:15). He wasn’t seeking public notoriety. He wasn’t seeking to be a superstar. Matthew then quotes Isaiah 42:1-4 to reveal that Jesus fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah, the "Chosen Servant" who will bring justice to the nations (Matthew 12:17-21).
This passage highlights Jesus' humility, compassion, and His mission to bring healing and hope to the marginalized.
The Kingdom of God vs. The Kingdom of Satan (Matthew 12:22-37)
The conflict escalates further when Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. The crowds are amazed and begin to wonder if Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah (Matthew 12:22-23).
In response, the Pharisees level their most serious accusation yet: they claim that Jesus casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:24).
Jesus refutes their accusation with three logical arguments:
- If Satan casts out Satan, his kingdom is divided and cannot stand (Matthew 12:25-26). Satan may be thoroughly evil, but he’s more clever than that. He doesn’t work against his own plan, and the Pharisees knew it.
- If Jesus casts out demons by the power of Satan, by whose power do the Pharisees' own exorcists cast them out? (Matthew 12:27).
- The only alternative was the truth: Jesus had driven out demons by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28). But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you (Matthew 12:28).
Jesus then uses the analogy of a strong man being bound before his house can be plundered (Matthew 12:29). Jesus was saying that he could plunder Satan because he’s stronger than Satan. His kingdom power over the forces of darkness had been displayed before their eyes.
He warns that those who are not with Him are against Him, and those who do not gather with Him scatter (Matthew 12:30). Jesus even gave this opportunity to the leaders who were accusing him and invited them to take their stand with him.
This leads to the solemn warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will not be forgiven (Matthew 12:31-32). God revealed the reality of who Jesus is through his mighty words and works. If anyone rejects this demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power and attributes it to the devil, he is rejecting salvation.
To say from your heart (see 12:34) that the clear manifestation of Jesus Christ is the work of Satan reveals a hardened heart. If a person is worried that he has committed the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, then he clearly has not done so yet. He must show repentance (see 12:33-35) and come to Jesus by faith for forgiveness and the free gift of eternal life.
Jesus then returns to the illustration of a tree and its fruit used in 7:15-20: A tree is known by its fruit (12:33). The quality of its produce reflects the character of the tree. And considering displays of the Pharisees’ fruit (12:1-32), Jesus called them what they were: a brood of vipers (12:34). The words the Pharisees spoke were windows into their hearts.
He emphasizes that our words reveal the true condition of our hearts. When you open your mouth, you reveal what’s deep down inside—whether good or evil. So you’ve got to watch your mouth. God is tape-recording our words, and we will have to account for every careless one (12:36). The way to tame your tongue is to address your heart. And the way to address your heart is to devote it to the King’s agenda.
The Sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:38-45)
Still demanding proof, some of the scribes and Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign (Matthew 12:38). In other words, give us proof that you are who you claim to be. Yet, he’d given them plenty of demonstrations of his power and authority, and they’d said he was doing the devil’s work (12:24)! Only spiritually stubborn and blind people request a sign in the face of overwhelming evidence.
Jesus rebukes them, calling them an "evil and adulterous generation" and promising them only the sign of Jonah: as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:39-40). His resurrection from the dead would be the crowning demonstration that he is the Son of God.
He further warns that the men of Nineveh, who repented at Jonah's preaching, and the Queen of the South, who traveled far to hear Solomon's wisdom, will rise up in the judgment and condemn this generation for rejecting the greater wisdom and power of Jesus (Matthew 12:41-42). After all, the citizens of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, who had no great sign to show (12:41). The queen of the south traveled far to hear the wisdom of Solomon, who was a mere earthly king. But something greater than Jonah and Solomon had arrived (12:42). The heavenly King had come working miraculous signs, so they were without excuse for not repenting and believing in him.
Jesus then uses the parable of the unclean spirit that returns with seven more evil spirits to illustrate the spiritual condition of this generation (Matthew 12:43-45). If you try to clean up your life with self-righteousness and religious activity, you’ll only make yourself worse. Without submission to the Lord and the presence of the Holy Spirit to fill the void, you’re simply opening yourself to greater demonic influence.
True Family (Matthew 12:46-50)
Finally, Jesus is told that His mother and brothers are outside, wanting to speak to Him. As Jesus spoke to the crowds, someone informed him that his mother and brothers wanted to speak with him. The Gospel of John says Jesus’s brothers didn’t believe in him during his ministry (John 7:1-5), so perhaps they’d come to take him home quietly. Regardless, this gave Jesus another opportunity to explain what true commitment to him is all about.
Jesus responds by redefining the concept of family: "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:48-50). True belonging in the family of God, then, transcends biological family relations. Our blood relationships—whether by family or race—are outweighed by our relationship to other Christians through Jesus’s blood. When you trust in Christ, you have a new family. This doesn’t mean you ignore your physical family. It means your obedience as a child of your heavenly Father takes priority.
This passage emphasizes that true kinship is based on spiritual connection and obedience to God's will, not merely on blood relations.
Matthew 12 reveals the escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders, highlighting their legalism, hypocrisy, and rejection of His Messianic claims. It also underscores Jesus' authority over the Sabbath, demonic forces, and ultimately, the definition of true family. The chapter serves as a powerful reminder to examine our own hearts, ensuring that our actions and words reflect a genuine love for God and compassion for others.
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
How 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?
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?
But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
And, 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.
And 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?
How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
And charged them that they should not make him known:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
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 shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Then 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.
And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
And 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:
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Or 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.
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
Wherefore 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.
And 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.
Either 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.
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
A 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.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Matthew 12 presents a series of confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees, highlighting their legalistic interpretations of the Law and their growing opposition to Jesus' ministry. This chapter reveals Jesus' authority, not only over the Sabbath but also over demonic forces, and redefines what it means to be part of God's family. It serves as a critical turning point, foreshadowing the shift in Jesus' teaching style towards parables in the following chapter. This chapter is also filled with SEO keywords such as Matthew 12.
The Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-8)
The chapter opens with Jesus and His disciples walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath. The hungry disciples pluck heads of grain and eat them, a practice permitted by Old Testament law. However, the hyper-legalistic Pharisees, focused on their own traditions, accuse them of violating the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-2). They had created so many additional regulations and introduced so many scenarios to the way the Sabbath was handled that they considered the disciples’ actions equivalent to working in the grain fields.
Jesus responds with a series of powerful arguments, directly challenging the Pharisees' rigid interpretation of the Law. First, He references David's actions when he and his men were hungry, eating the consecrated bread that was reserved for the priests (Matthew 12:3-4, 1 Samuel 21:1-6). Haven’t you read what David did? (Matthew 12:3)—that is to say, “Don’t you know your Bibles?” Scripture itself, then, testifies that God’s laws were never meant to get in the way of taking care of the necessities of life. The Sabbath was for the benefit of man, not for his destruction (see Mark 2:27).
Next, Jesus reminds them that the priests violate the Sabbath all the time because they have to do God’s work on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:5). The Pharisees were legalists, serving to remind us that whenever the commands of God prevent you from loving and serving God, you’re using his commands inappropriately.
He then quotes Hosea 6:6, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice," emphasizing God's priority for compassion over ritualistic observance (Matthew 12:7). He’s not impressed if you know your Bible but have a heart of stone.
Finally, Jesus declares Himself "Lord of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8), asserting His divine authority to interpret and apply the Sabbath law. The only thing greater than God’s house is God; therefore, Jesus was letting them know who he was. And since it’s his show, he gets to decide how the Sabbath is honored.
This passage underscores that God's laws are meant to be understood and applied with mercy and compassion, not used as tools for judgment and oppression.
Healing on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:9-14)
Continuing the theme of Sabbath observance, Jesus enters a synagogue where a man with a withered hand is present. The Pharisees, seeking to trap Jesus, ask Him if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:9-10). However, they weren’t asking an honest question but looking for an opportunity to accuse him.
Jesus responds by turning the tables on them. Who wouldn’t help his sheep if it fell into a pit on the Sabbath? (Matthew 12:11). No one, of course. The Pharisees, then, were willing to do for a sheep what they wouldn’t do for a hurting man! Jesus reasons that it is always lawful to do good, especially on the Sabbath, because people are more valuable than animals (Matthew 12:11-12). Then he mercifully heals the man (Matthew 12:13).
This miracle further exposes the Pharisees' hypocrisy and their lack of compassion. Instead of rejoicing in the man's healing, they are enraged and plot to kill Jesus (Matthew 12:14).
The Chosen Servant (Matthew 12:15-21)
Aware of the Pharisees' plot, Jesus withdraws, but crowds still follow Him, and He heals them all (Matthew 12:15). He wasn’t seeking public notoriety. He wasn’t seeking to be a superstar. Matthew then quotes Isaiah 42:1-4 to reveal that Jesus fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah, the "Chosen Servant" who will bring justice to the nations (Matthew 12:17-21).
This passage highlights Jesus' humility, compassion, and His mission to bring healing and hope to the marginalized.
The Kingdom of God vs. The Kingdom of Satan (Matthew 12:22-37)
The conflict escalates further when Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. The crowds are amazed and begin to wonder if Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah (Matthew 12:22-23).
In response, the Pharisees level their most serious accusation yet: they claim that Jesus casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:24).
Jesus refutes their accusation with three logical arguments:
- If Satan casts out Satan, his kingdom is divided and cannot stand (Matthew 12:25-26). Satan may be thoroughly evil, but he’s more clever than that. He doesn’t work against his own plan, and the Pharisees knew it.
- If Jesus casts out demons by the power of Satan, by whose power do the Pharisees' own exorcists cast them out? (Matthew 12:27).
- The only alternative was the truth: Jesus had driven out demons by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28). But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you (Matthew 12:28).
Jesus then uses the analogy of a strong man being bound before his house can be plundered (Matthew 12:29). Jesus was saying that he could plunder Satan because he’s stronger than Satan. His kingdom power over the forces of darkness had been displayed before their eyes.
He warns that those who are not with Him are against Him, and those who do not gather with Him scatter (Matthew 12:30). Jesus even gave this opportunity to the leaders who were accusing him and invited them to take their stand with him.
This leads to the solemn warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will not be forgiven (Matthew 12:31-32). God revealed the reality of who Jesus is through his mighty words and works. If anyone rejects this demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power and attributes it to the devil, he is rejecting salvation.
To say from your heart (see 12:34) that the clear manifestation of Jesus Christ is the work of Satan reveals a hardened heart. If a person is worried that he has committed the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, then he clearly has not done so yet. He must show repentance (see 12:33-35) and come to Jesus by faith for forgiveness and the free gift of eternal life.
Jesus then returns to the illustration of a tree and its fruit used in 7:15-20: A tree is known by its fruit (12:33). The quality of its produce reflects the character of the tree. And considering displays of the Pharisees’ fruit (12:1-32), Jesus called them what they were: a brood of vipers (12:34). The words the Pharisees spoke were windows into their hearts.
He emphasizes that our words reveal the true condition of our hearts. When you open your mouth, you reveal what’s deep down inside—whether good or evil. So you’ve got to watch your mouth. God is tape-recording our words, and we will have to account for every careless one (12:36). The way to tame your tongue is to address your heart. And the way to address your heart is to devote it to the King’s agenda.
The Sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:38-45)
Still demanding proof, some of the scribes and Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign (Matthew 12:38). In other words, give us proof that you are who you claim to be. Yet, he’d given them plenty of demonstrations of his power and authority, and they’d said he was doing the devil’s work (12:24)! Only spiritually stubborn and blind people request a sign in the face of overwhelming evidence.
Jesus rebukes them, calling them an "evil and adulterous generation" and promising them only the sign of Jonah: as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:39-40). His resurrection from the dead would be the crowning demonstration that he is the Son of God.
He further warns that the men of Nineveh, who repented at Jonah's preaching, and the Queen of the South, who traveled far to hear Solomon's wisdom, will rise up in the judgment and condemn this generation for rejecting the greater wisdom and power of Jesus (Matthew 12:41-42). After all, the citizens of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, who had no great sign to show (12:41). The queen of the south traveled far to hear the wisdom of Solomon, who was a mere earthly king. But something greater than Jonah and Solomon had arrived (12:42). The heavenly King had come working miraculous signs, so they were without excuse for not repenting and believing in him.
Jesus then uses the parable of the unclean spirit that returns with seven more evil spirits to illustrate the spiritual condition of this generation (Matthew 12:43-45). If you try to clean up your life with self-righteousness and religious activity, you’ll only make yourself worse. Without submission to the Lord and the presence of the Holy Spirit to fill the void, you’re simply opening yourself to greater demonic influence.
True Family (Matthew 12:46-50)
Finally, Jesus is told that His mother and brothers are outside, wanting to speak to Him. As Jesus spoke to the crowds, someone informed him that his mother and brothers wanted to speak with him. The Gospel of John says Jesus’s brothers didn’t believe in him during his ministry (John 7:1-5), so perhaps they’d come to take him home quietly. Regardless, this gave Jesus another opportunity to explain what true commitment to him is all about.
Jesus responds by redefining the concept of family: "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:48-50). True belonging in the family of God, then, transcends biological family relations. Our blood relationships—whether by family or race—are outweighed by our relationship to other Christians through Jesus’s blood. When you trust in Christ, you have a new family. This doesn’t mean you ignore your physical family. It means your obedience as a child of your heavenly Father takes priority.
This passage emphasizes that true kinship is based on spiritual connection and obedience to God's will, not merely on blood relations.
Matthew 12 reveals the escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders, highlighting their legalism, hypocrisy, and rejection of His Messianic claims. It also underscores Jesus' authority over the Sabbath, demonic forces, and ultimately, the definition of true family. The chapter serves as a powerful reminder to examine our own hearts, ensuring that our actions and words reflect a genuine love for God and compassion for others.