The Meaning of Matthew 12:12 Explained

Matthew 12:12

KJV: How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

YLT: How much better, therefore, is a man than a sheep? -- so that it is lawful on the sabbaths to do good.'

Darby: How much better then is a man than a sheep! So that it is lawful to do well on the sabbath.

ASV: How much then is a man of more value than a sheep! Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath day.

Discover Matthew 12:12

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Matthew 12:12?

MEANING: What does Matthew 12:12 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Matthew 12:12 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Matthew 12:12?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

How much  then  is a man  better than  a sheep?  Wherefore  it is lawful  to do  well  on the sabbath days. 

What does Matthew 12:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 12:1-14 - The Right Use Of The Sabbath
The Pharisees had introduced a large number of minute and absurd restrictions on Sabbath observance; so our Lord set Himself to recover the day of rest for the use of the people. He never hesitated, therefore, to work miracles of healing on that day, and so set at defiance the Pharisees and their evil amendments. He contended also that all ritual observance must take the secondary place, and that the primary concern must always be the deep and pressing claims of humanity. Thus it was perfectly legitimate for David to eat the showbread.
Even if a sheep should fall into a pit on the Sabbath, it would be lifted out by the most punctilious of ritualists. How absurd and illogical it was to prohibit deliverance to this man with his withered hand! Notice that this man's condition is symbolic of many who pose as good Christians, but do nothing. They have the power, but do not use it and it becomes atrophied. That power can be given back by Jesus. Dare to act and you will find yourself able to act. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 12

1  Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,
3  by scripture,
9  by reason,
13  and by a miracle
22  He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;
24  and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub,
32  he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven
36  Account shall be made of idle words
38  He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,
46  and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother

Greek Commentary for Matthew 12:12

How much then is a man [ποσωι ουν διαπερει αντρωπος]
Another of Christ‘s pregnant questions that goes to the roots of things, an a fortiori argument. “By how much does a human being differ from a sheep? That is the question which Christian civilization has not even yet adequately answered” (Bruce). The poor pettifogging Pharisees are left in the pit. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 12:12

Revelation 12:5 Was caught up [ἡρπάσθη]
See on Matthew 12:12. Compare Acts 23:10; Judges 1:23. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 12:12 mean?

How much therefore is more valuable a man than a sheep Therefore it is lawful on the Sabbaths good to do
πόσῳ οὖν διαφέρει ἄνθρωπος προβάτου ὥστε ἔξεστιν τοῖς σάββασιν καλῶς ποιεῖν

πόσῳ  How  much 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: πόσος  
Sense: how great.
διαφέρει  is  more  valuable 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διαφέρω  
Sense: to bear or carry through any place.
ἄνθρωπος  a  man 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
προβάτου  than  a  sheep 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: προβάτιον 
Sense: any four footed, tame animal accustomed to graze, small cattle (opp. to large cattle, horses, etc.), most commonly a sheep or a goat.
ἔξεστιν  it  is  lawful 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἔξεστι 
Sense: it is lawful.
τοῖς  on  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: ὁ  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
σάββασιν  Sabbaths 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: σάββατον  
Sense: the seventh day of each week which was a sacred festival on which the Israelites were required to abstain from all work.
καλῶς  good 
Parse: Adverb
Root: καλῶς  
Sense: beautifully, finely, excellently, well.
ποιεῖν  to  do 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.

What are the major concepts related to Matthew 12:12?

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Similar Scriptures for Matthew 12:12

Matthew 6:26 [5]
Mark 3:4 [5]
Luke 6:9 [5]
Matthew 10:31 [4]
Luke 12:24 [3]