Matthew 12: Lord of the Sabbath
1 Then Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His followers were hungry and began to eat some of the grain. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Jesus, "Look! Your followers shouldn't be eating grain on the Sabbath." 3 Jesus responded, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 They ate bread that was obtained illegally 7 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' and if you knew what those words meant, you wouldn't condemn innocent men.
9 Jesus went to another place, 10 and a man with an injured hand was there. The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Is it lawful to heal sick people on the Sabbath?" 11 Jesus said, "If any of you has sheep that hurts itself today, wouldn't you take care of it? 12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! It's lawful to do good on the Sabbath. 14 But the Pharisees still didn't like Jesus, so they began plotting how to kill him. The Chosen Servant 15 Aware of their bad intentions, Jesus went away. Many followed him, 16 but Jesus warned them not to reveal who he was. 17 It was so prophesied: 18 "Here is one whom others love, and who will bring justice to the world. 19 He won't fight or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. 21 In his name the world will place its hope." Jesus and Beelzebub 22 Then they brought Jesus a bad man who was blind and mute, and Jesus was able to help him. 24 But when the Pharisees saw that Jesus helped him, they said, "He must be Beelzebub, the prince of demons." 25 Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom divided will be ruined, and every household divided will not stand. 29 "How can someone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob the house. 30 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31 So I tell you, your mistakes will be forgiven, but only if your heart truly believes. 33 "If a tree is good, then its fruit is good, and if a tree is bad, then its fruit will also be bad. 34 Since you are evil snakes, how can you say anything good? 35 The good man brings good things forth, just as the evil man brings evil things forth. 37 For by your words you'll be acquitted, and by your words you'll be condemned." The Sign of Jonah Jesus' Mother and Brothers 46 While Jesus was talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers came, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." 48 He replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever is a good person is my brother and sister and mother."
