Introduction
Opposition from the religious leaders.
Questions
1. What did Jesus say was lawful to do on the Sabbath?
v 12 “ ... Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.”
2. What type of blasphemy will not be forgiven?
v 31 ... but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
3. How does Jesus say we can tell if we are good or evil?
v 34 and 35 You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 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.
Summary Points
- v 1 to 8 The Pharisees accuse Jesus' disciples of breaking the Sabbath law. Jesus replies by saying that king David broke the law and the priests work on the Sabbath. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
- v 9 to 14 Jesus heals a man with a withered hand, after reminding the Pharisees that they would pull a sheep out of a pit on the Sabbath. The Pharisees plot to kill Jesus
- v 15 to 21 Jesus heals many more and tells them to keep quiet about it. His gentle approach fulfills Isaiah's prediction
- v 22 to 29 The Pharisees say that Jesus healed a blind mute man by the prince of demons. Jesus says using God's Spirit to heal supports his message about God's Kingdom
- v 30 to 32 Jesus says that speaking against him can be forgiven, but speaking against God's Spirit will not be forgiven
- v 33 to 37 Jesus says that our words indicate whether we are good or evil
- v 38 to 42 Jesus replies to the Pharisees' request for a sign by saying the sign for them will be when he is 3 days and nights in the heart of the earth
- v 43 to 45 Jesus comments that if evil in a person is not replaced with good, then the end result is even more evil
- v 46 to 50 Jesus shows that those who do God's will are regarded as his mother, brothers and sisters