To stop the increasing excitement of the people,
the Pharisees had to do something immediately.
In their desparation to spoil Jesus' ministry,
they decided to credit His healings as the works
of Beelzebub. They charged that He was united
with the devil. This was a blasphemous idea.
The people were unlearned so they got confused in
trying to understand and looked to Jesus for an
answer.
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The Pharisees were very embarassed by the man's
healing and by the reaction of the crowd. They had
decided that Jesus was an imposter so they had to
find some way to explain away the miracle. They
couldn't deny it without looking ridiculous.
Notice too that when miracles are rejected, people's
hearts get hardened, like Pharoah's. Even today
when the power of the supernatural is rejected there
can be the same results.
This demoniac was afflicted by the devil previously
discribed. He was totally possessed.
This man was completely healed so that he saw,
heard, and spoke. He received three healing at one
time.
This miracle was so great that the people cried, "Is
not this the son of David?" In other words, Is He
not the Messiah?
discribed. He was totally possessed.
This man was completely healed so that he saw,
heard, and spoke. He received three healing at one
time.
This miracle was so great that the people cried, "Is
not this the son of David?" In other words, Is He
not the Messiah?
Not long after the sabbath day incident a man
was brought to Jesus who was blind and dumb.
We may note, regarding this miracle, that demons
take control of a person through the nervous
system. By oppressing the auditory nerve, a man
becomes deaf, same with the optic nerve he is
then blind. In worse cases the demon may even
take control over a man's mind so that he loses
his senses or ability to reason.
was brought to Jesus who was blind and dumb.
We may note, regarding this miracle, that demons
take control of a person through the nervous
system. By oppressing the auditory nerve, a man
becomes deaf, same with the optic nerve he is
then blind. In worse cases the demon may even
take control over a man's mind so that he loses
his senses or ability to reason.
By this time, the
Pharisees became
so reckless in
their madness
that they
committed a
disasterous
act that could
never be changed.
They accused Jesus' healing power to be the works
of Beelzebub, Satan, the prince of the devils
(Matthew 12:22-23).
They had committed the unpardonable sin by
claiming Jesus did the works of the devil.
Pharisees became
so reckless in
their madness
that they
committed a
disasterous
act that could
never be changed.
They accused Jesus' healing power to be the works
of Beelzebub, Satan, the prince of the devils
(Matthew 12:22-23).
They had committed the unpardonable sin by
claiming Jesus did the works of the devil.
It is not certain why the Herodians hated Jesus,
but possibly His preaching aginst their evil lives
had shamed them. They forgot their ill will with
the Pharisees and 'took council with them' agreed
that Jesus had to die.
Because Jesus had the favor of the crowd of people,
they couldn't take Him then, but bidded their time
until they could accomplished their purpose.
but possibly His preaching aginst their evil lives
had shamed them. They forgot their ill will with
the Pharisees and 'took council with them' agreed
that Jesus had to die.
Because Jesus had the favor of the crowd of people,
they couldn't take Him then, but bidded their time
until they could accomplished their purpose.
Up to this time, the Herodians were avowed
enemies of the Pharisees. They were a sect of
the Sadducees who were insincere to Herod in
order to get his favor. They were traitors of God
and Israel. They even went so far as to declare
Herod the Messiah to flatter him.
But now they came together because of both of
their hatred for Jesus.
enemies of the Pharisees. They were a sect of
the Sadducees who were insincere to Herod in
order to get his favor. They were traitors of God
and Israel. They even went so far as to declare
Herod the Messiah to flatter him.
But now they came together because of both of
their hatred for Jesus.
Something interesting about this miracle and
the Law of the Sabbath is Jesus had not touched
the man, and He didn't ask him any questions.
He had just spoken words.
The Pharisees knew it wasn't sabbath-breaking
to speak. But even then in their hatred and anger,
the left the synagogue to hold a council with the
Herodians against Him.
the Law of the Sabbath is Jesus had not touched
the man, and He didn't ask him any questions.
He had just spoken words.
The Pharisees knew it wasn't sabbath-breaking
to speak. But even then in their hatred and anger,
the left the synagogue to hold a council with the
Herodians against Him.
Jesus really made His point when He spoke of the
sheep falling into the pit on the sabbath in Matthew
12:11-12. The Pharisee couldn't answer and their
hypocrisy was seen by everyone.
Jesus's compassion went out to the poor man with
the withered hand. If they had had their way, this
man would have remained in that miserable state.
Jesus was filled with holy indignation.
The religion of the Pharisees had a superficial pity
that had no love or compassion in it for those who
were unfortunate.
sheep falling into the pit on the sabbath in Matthew
12:11-12. The Pharisee couldn't answer and their
hypocrisy was seen by everyone.
Jesus's compassion went out to the poor man with
the withered hand. If they had had their way, this
man would have remained in that miserable state.
Jesus was filled with holy indignation.
The religion of the Pharisees had a superficial pity
that had no love or compassion in it for those who
were unfortunate.
Jesus revered the Law, but He wanted to remove
the man-made traditions and bring it back to its
original intent.
Later Jesus went into the synagogue, where there
was a man who had a withered hand.
"Then saith he to the man,
Stretch forth thine hand.
And he stretched forth 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."
Matthew 12:9-14
the man-made traditions and bring it back to its
original intent.
Later Jesus went into the synagogue, where there
was a man who had a withered hand.
"Then saith he to the man,Stretch forth thine hand.
And he stretched forth 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."
Matthew 12:9-14
Jesus also reminded them that the priests in the
temple had violated the sabbath. They had cut
the wood, lit the fire, killed the victims, even had
circumcised children but they were not blamed.
If the temple excused them, wouldn't the greater
one do the same? The sabbath had been intended
for mercy. . . mercy was better than sacrifice. . . .
The sabbath was made for man, not man for the
sabbath. "For the Son of man is Lord even of the
sabbath day" Matthew 12:8
temple had violated the sabbath. They had cut
the wood, lit the fire, killed the victims, even had
circumcised children but they were not blamed.
If the temple excused them, wouldn't the greater
one do the same? The sabbath had been intended
for mercy. . . mercy was better than sacrifice. . . .
The sabbath was made for man, not man for the
sabbath. "For the Son of man is Lord even of the
sabbath day" Matthew 12:8
Jesus protected His disciples
from the Pharisees attack by
expressing His approval of
their eating the corn on the
sabbath.
He also called these Jews
attention to David going
into the house of God on
the sabbath and eating
the shewbread which no one was permitted to do
except the priest (1 Samuel 21:6 & Leviticus 24:8-9
"Into your hands I commend my spirit." Luke 23:44 - 47
click pictures to enlarge
The first attack against Jesus was when they
were going through a cornfield on the sabbath.
The disciples were hungry, they plucked some
corn rubbed them in their hands and ate them.
Matthew 12:1-2
The Pharisees were in an uproar because they
saw this as a serious offense. It was sabbath-
breaking in the highest sense and forbidden.
There wasn't anything wrong with plucking the
ears of corn according to the Law Deuteronomy
23:25; it was doing it on the sabbath day that
made it forbidden.
click pictures to enlarge
The first attack against Jesus was when they
were going through a cornfield on the sabbath.
The disciples were hungry, they plucked some
corn rubbed them in their hands and ate them.
Matthew 12:1-2
The Pharisees were in an uproar because they
saw this as a serious offense. It was sabbath-
breaking in the highest sense and forbidden.
There wasn't anything wrong with plucking the
ears of corn according to the Law Deuteronomy
23:25; it was doing it on the sabbath day that
made it forbidden.
The Pharisees took great pride concerning their
Sabbath. They had many odd or strange rules
like not being able to defend themselves on the
sabbath or even comfort the sick; we know that
it was unlawful to pick an ear of corn on the sabbath
also.
No wonder they were angered when Jesus came
on the scene and didn't pay any attention to their
traditions. They sent spies to follow Him every
where and report His actions.
Sabbath. They had many odd or strange rules
like not being able to defend themselves on the
sabbath or even comfort the sick; we know that
it was unlawful to pick an ear of corn on the sabbath
also.
No wonder they were angered when Jesus came
on the scene and didn't pay any attention to their
traditions. They sent spies to follow Him every
where and report His actions.
The Pharisees had changed the Law of the Sabbath
into a tradition losing the original purpose of it. It
became a rule that had separated the Jews from
the Gentiles. It was a sign of exclusive privileges.
All their traditions were wrapped up in its abserv-
ance. They even believed heaven kept the day
and the nation of Isreal had been chosen for the
sole purpose of keeping it.
into a tradition losing the original purpose of it. It
became a rule that had separated the Jews from
the Gentiles. It was a sign of exclusive privileges.
All their traditions were wrapped up in its abserv-
ance. They even believed heaven kept the day
and the nation of Isreal had been chosen for the
sole purpose of keeping it.
The Pharisees struggled with their opposition to
Jesus by trying to find a charge that they could
support with the Law and could stick.
It was that He had violated the Law by breaking
the Sabbath, which they held highly over others.
The Law of Moses had ordained the seventh day
for rest for body and spirit. They even believed
that the wicked rested from torture on that day.
Jesus by trying to find a charge that they could
support with the Law and could stick.
It was that He had violated the Law by breaking
the Sabbath, which they held highly over others.
The Law of Moses had ordained the seventh day
for rest for body and spirit. They even believed
that the wicked rested from torture on that day.
Jesus was uncompromising in His stand. Later
when He went to Jerusalem, His enemies accused
Him saying, "This man receiveth sinners and
eateth with them," Jesus showed the Father's
love toward repenting sinners with the parables:
of the Lost Sheep, of the Piece of Money, and the
Prodigal Son.
The sad fact was that the religion of the Pharisees
was a hollow imitation.
when He went to Jerusalem, His enemies accused
Him saying, "This man receiveth sinners and
eateth with them," Jesus showed the Father's
love toward repenting sinners with the parables:
of the Lost Sheep, of the Piece of Money, and the
Prodigal Son.
The sad fact was that the religion of the Pharisees
was a hollow imitation.
Jesus' association with publicans and sinners was
a sore spot with the Pharisees. Choosing Matthew,
a tax-gather, as a disciple was offensive to them.
They looked upon the common people, who didn't
know the Law as accursed. Yet Jesus mingled with
them freely. He let Mary Magdalene, whom He had
cast out seven demons, go with Him on His missions.
His attitude was so different from theirs. They felt
polluted even touching those people.
Jesus rebuked their unrighteousness and said,
"They that are whole need not a physician, but
they that are sick. . .I came not to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31
a sore spot with the Pharisees. Choosing Matthew,
a tax-gather, as a disciple was offensive to them.
They looked upon the common people, who didn't
know the Law as accursed. Yet Jesus mingled with
them freely. He let Mary Magdalene, whom He had
cast out seven demons, go with Him on His missions.
His attitude was so different from theirs. They felt
polluted even touching those people.
Jesus rebuked their unrighteousness and said,
"They that are whole need not a physician, but
they that are sick. . .I came not to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31
Some spoke against Jesus because He didn't fast
often. Thinking that they may get attention from
the disciples of John the Baptist.
Jesus told them that a time would come when they
would fast. And He taught that casting out certain
demons would require fasting.
Jesus Himself, started His ministry with a forty
day fast.
often. Thinking that they may get attention from
the disciples of John the Baptist.
Jesus told them that a time would come when they
would fast. And He taught that casting out certain
demons would require fasting.
Jesus Himself, started His ministry with a forty
day fast.
They had made up another charge against Him,
"Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber,
a friend of publicans and sinners."
Matthew 11:19
Jesus did go to the banquets that He had been
invited to just like the Pharisee had gone to the
ones they were invited. It had given Jesus many
a chance to reach and teach those who would be
apt to hear and respond.
These charges were foolish and soon forgotten.
"Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber,
a friend of publicans and sinners."
Matthew 11:19
Jesus did go to the banquets that He had been
invited to just like the Pharisee had gone to the
ones they were invited. It had given Jesus many
a chance to reach and teach those who would be
apt to hear and respond.
These charges were foolish and soon forgotten.
We now start noticing the opposition against
Jesus. The signs of it seem to be when He said,
"Thy sins be forgiven thee." They were the
words He used when He spoke to the woman
who anointed His feet and wiped her tears with
her hair; and to the man who was sick of the
palsy.
Both times He made the Pharisee angry by
saying that and justifying His right to forgive
couldn't get them to change. He had offended
their petty beliefs.
Jesus. The signs of it seem to be when He said,
"Thy sins be forgiven thee." They were the
words He used when He spoke to the woman
who anointed His feet and wiped her tears with
her hair; and to the man who was sick of the
palsy.
Both times He made the Pharisee angry by
saying that and justifying His right to forgive
couldn't get them to change. He had offended
their petty beliefs.