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
1Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath, 3by scripture, 9by reason, 13and by a miracle 22He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute; 24and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub, 32he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven 36Account shall be made of idle words 38He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign, 46and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother
What do the individual words in Matthew 12:8 mean?
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
Parse: Noun, Genitive 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.