Mat 12:3-7 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Matt 12:3-7: 12:3-7 The Pharisees did not understand that the Sabbath was designed to benefit people. Their view of the Sabbath placed onerous burdens on people. Summary for Matt 12:3-4: 12:3-4 Ritual laws were at times rightly suspended for particular people or circumstances (1 Sam 21:1-6 ).

a12:3-7►

b12:3-4►

c1 Sam 21:1-6►

d12:5-6►

eLev 24:8-9►

fNum 28:9-10►

gMatt 4:23►

h9:35►

i11:2-6►

j20-30►

k12:7►

‏ Matthew 12:3-7

Summary for Matt 12:3-7: 12:3-7 ^a The Pharisees did not understand that the Sabbath was designed to benefit people. Their view of the Sabbath placed onerous burdens on people.
Summary for Matt 12:3-4: 12:3-4 ^b Ritual laws were at times rightly suspended for particular people or circumstances (1 Sam 21:1-6 ^c).
Summary for Matt 12:5-6: 12:5-6 ^d Priests worked on the Sabbath (Lev 24:8-9 ^e; Num 28:9-10 ^f), and this was not offensive to Pharisees. If the priests’ work for the Temple on the Sabbath is allowed, then certainly Jesus can do the same because he is greater than the Temple (see Matt 4:23 ^g; 9:35 ^h; 11:2-6 ⁱ, 20-30 ^j).
12:7 ^k The Pharisees’ view of the Sabbath was unscriptural since it broke the deeper principle of mercy.