The bread of presence – Matthew 12:4
ate the
bread of the
presence. Jesus reminded his enemies of the story when David and his companions were in need and were given the holy bread to eat (1 Sam. 21:1-9) to illustrate the principle of Hosea 6:6 (quoted in Matt 12:7; cf. 9:13) that the compassionate meeting of needs is greater in God's eyes than a strict adherence to laws when people are in need.
Profaning the Sabbath – Matthew 12:5
The
priests in the
temple profane the
Sabbath. Jesus provided another example of the wisdom that is needed to apply God's commands in a complex world. Priests must do work on the Sabbath to perform the greater good of performing the sacrifices and other duties of the temple.
Lord of the Sabbath – Matthew 12:8
The
Son of
Man is
Lord of the
Sabbath. In addition to showing the wisdom needed to apply God's commands (see notes on Matt. 12:4 and 12:5), Jesus also claimed that as the Son of Man on Earth he has the authority to declare what is right (cf. Matt. 9:6). He is greater than the temple (Matt. 12:6; cf. also 12:42).
Doing good on the Sabbath – Matthew 12:12
It is
lawful to do
good on the
Sabbath. Through the healing of a man on the Sabbath Jesus taught the same principle that compassion is greater than strict adherence to laws.
I will put my Spirit upon him – Matthew 12:18
I will
put my
Spirit upon
him. The Triune God is referenced here with the Father speaking about the Son being filled with the Spirit. At Jesus' baptism (Matt. 3:16) the Spirit descended on Jesus and then led him into the wilderness (Matt. 4:1). Though Matthew does not highlight this theme, after Jesus' ascension the Spirit indwells, guides, and empowers Jesus' disciples (John 14:16-17; Acts 13:2; Rom. 8:9-13; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; Eph. 5:18)
My beloved one - Matthew 12:18
My
beloved one, in whom my
soul is well
pleased. This is the same way Jesus is described in Matt. 3:17 and 17:5. At this important turning point in Jesus' ministry (see note on Matt. 13:1-53) Matthew once again (cf. Matt. 4:14-16) shows that Jesus' ministry is the fulfillment of a prophecy from Isaiah (Isa. 42:1-4). This prophecy promised that God would send his chosen Servant to bring God's blessing to all nations (Matt 12:18, 20).
Hope of the Gentiles – Matthew 12:21
In his name all the
Gentiles will have a certain
hope. Similar to the prophecy from Isa. 9:1-2 quoted in Matt. 4:14-16, this prophecy about Jesus bringing justice and life to the Gentiles (from Isa. 42:1-4) shows that Jesus' mission (Matt. 28:18-20) was to fulfill the promise God made to Abraham that through his offspring all the nations of the world would receive a blessing (Gen. 12:1-3). Can this be the Son of David? - Matthew 12:23
"Can this be the Son of David?" God promised that the Messianic age when his kingdom comes to the earth would be a time of healing and restoration and that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David (2 Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 132:11). When people saw Jesus' amazing miracles they hoped that he was indeed the Son of David bringing God's kingdom. Jesus and the Spirit of God – Matthew 12:24-27
Once again, the Pharisees accused Jesus of being empowered by the prince of demons, Beelzebul, because they could not otherwise explain his power (Matt. 9:34; 10:25). Jesus responded by showing the absurdity of their claim and warning them of the judgment coming upon them for rejecting him. Rather than being demonic, his power came from the Spirit (Matt. 3:16; 12:18), meaning that the kingdom of God is now here.
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