The Meaning of Matthew 12:5 Explained

Matthew 12:5

KJV: Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

YLT: 'Or did ye not read in the Law, that on the sabbaths the priests in the temple do profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

Darby: Or have ye not read in the law that on the sabbaths the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

ASV: Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Or  have ye  not  read  in  the law,  how that  on the sabbath days  the priests  in  the temple  profane  the sabbath,  and  are  blameless? 

What does Matthew 12:5 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

What do the individual words in Matthew 12:5 mean?

Or not have you read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests the temple the Sabbath profane and guiltless are
οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε ἐν τῷ νόμῳ ὅτι τοῖς σάββασιν οἱ ἱερεῖς τῷ ἱερῷ τὸ σάββατον βεβηλοῦσιν καὶ ἀναίτιοί εἰσιν

ἀνέγνωτε  have  you  read 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀναγινώσκω  
Sense: to distinguish between, to recognise, to know accurately, to acknowledge.
νόμῳ  law 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: νόμος  
Sense: anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
τοῖς  on  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
σάββασιν  Sabbath 
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.
ἱερεῖς  priests 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἱερεύς  
Sense: a priest, one who offers sacrifices and in general in busied with sacred rites.
ἱερῷ  temple 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ἱερόν  
Sense: a sacred place, temple.
σάββατον  Sabbath 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
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.
βεβηλοῦσιν  profane 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: βεβηλόω  
Sense: to profane, desecrate.
ἀναίτιοί  guiltless 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀναίτιος  
Sense: guiltless, innocent.

What are the major concepts related to Matthew 12:5?

Loading Information...