Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? New Living Translation And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. English Standard Version He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Berean Standard Bible He replied, “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? Berean Literal Bible And He said to them, "What man will there be among you, who will have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbaths, will not take hold of it and will raise it up? King James Bible And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? New King James Version Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? New American Standard Bible But He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? NASB 1995 And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? NASB 1977 And He said to them, “What man shall there be among you, who shall have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it, and lift it out? Legacy Standard Bible And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Amplified Bible But He said to them, “What man is there among you who, if he has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Christian Standard Bible He replied to them, “Who among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t take hold of it and lift it out? Holman Christian Standard Bible But He said to them, “What man among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t take hold of it and lift it out? American Standard Version And he said unto them, What man shall there be of you, that shall have one sheep, and if this fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? Contemporary English Version Jesus answered, "If one of your sheep fell into a ditch on the Sabbath, wouldn't you lift it out? English Revised Version And he said unto them, What man shall there be of you, that shall have one sheep, and if this fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? GOD'S WORD® Translation Jesus said to them, "Suppose one of you has a sheep. If it falls into a pit on a day of worship, wouldn't you take hold of it and lift it out? Good News Translation Jesus answered, "What if one of you has a sheep and it falls into a deep hole on the Sabbath? Will you not take hold of it and lift it out? International Standard Version But he asked them, "Is there a man among you who, if he had one sheep and it fell into a ditch on the Sabbath, wouldn't take hold of it and pull it out? Majority Standard Bible He replied, ?If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? NET Bible He said to them, "Would not any one of you, if he had one sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, take hold of it and lift it out? New Heart English Bible And he said to them, "Which one of you who has one sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Webster's Bible Translation And he said to them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it shall fall into a pit on the sabbath, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? Weymouth New Testament "Which of you is there," He replied, "who, if he has but a single sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? World English Bible He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it and lift it out? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd He said to them, “What man will be of you who will have one sheep, and if this may fall on the Sabbaths into a ditch, will not lay hold on it and raise [it]? Berean Literal Bible And He said to them, "What man will there be among you, who will have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbaths, will not take hold of it and will raise it up? Young's Literal Translation And he said to them, 'What man shall be of you, who shall have one sheep, and if this may fall on the sabbaths into a ditch, will not lay hold on it and raise it? Smith's Literal Translation And he said to them, Which of you shall be the man who shall have one sheep, and if this should fall into a pit in the sabbaths, will he not take hold of it, and raise it up? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut he said to them: What man shall there be among you, that hath one sheep: and if the same fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not take hold on it and lift it up? Catholic Public Domain Version But he said to them: “Who is there among you, having even one sheep, if it will have fallen into a pit on the Sabbath, would not take hold of it and lift it up? New American Bible He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep that falls into a pit on the sabbath will not take hold of it and lift it out? New Revised Standard Version He said to them, “Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe said to them, Who is the man among you who has only one sheep, and if it should fall into a pit on the sabbath, would he not take hold of it and lift it up? Aramaic Bible in Plain English He said to them, “Who is the man among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, will not take hold and lift it out?” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd he said to them: What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if this fall into a pit on the Sabbath-day, will he not lay hold on it and lift it out? Godbey New Testament And He said to them; Haweis New Testament Then he said to them; What man of you is there who hath one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath, doth he not lay hold on him, and lift him out? Mace New Testament and he answer'd, which of you all that should have one of his sheep fall into a pit on the sabbath-day, would not bestir himself, and lift it out? Weymouth New Testament "Which of you is there," He replied, "who, if he has but a single sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Worrell New Testament And He said to them Worsley New Testament But He said unto them, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jesus Heals on the Sabbath…10and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” 11 He replied, “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? 12How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”… Cross References Luke 14:5 And He asked them, “Which of you whose son or ox falls into a pit on the Sabbath day will not immediately pull him out?” Luke 13:15-16 “You hypocrites!” the Lord replied. “Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it to water? / Then should not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be released from her bondage on the Sabbath day?” Exodus 23:4-5 If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it. Deuteronomy 22:4 If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up. Mark 3:4 And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent. Luke 6:9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” John 7:23 If a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses will not be broken, why are you angry with Me for making the whole man well on the Sabbath? Matthew 7:12 In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets. Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Romans 13:10 Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Treasury of Scripture And he said to them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? what. Luke 13:15-17 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? … Luke 14:5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? and if. Exodus 23:4,5 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again… Deuteronomy 22:4 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again. Jump to Previous Ditch Fall Falls Gets Hand Helping Hold Hole Lift Pit Raise Sabbath Sabbaths Sheep Single Won'tJump to Next Ditch Fall Falls Gets Hand Helping Hold Hole Lift Pit Raise Sabbath Sabbaths Sheep Single Won'tMatthew 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. He replied In this passage, Jesus is responding to the Pharisees who are questioning Him about the legality of healing on the Sabbath. His reply is a common rabbinic method of argumentation, using a question to provoke thought and reflection. This approach is consistent with Jesus' teaching style throughout the Gospels, where He often uses questions to challenge prevailing interpretations of the Law. If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath will he not take hold of it and lift it out? Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus- The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and teaching about the true spirit of the Sabbath. 2. Pharisees - A religious group known for their strict adherence to the Law, often challenging Jesus on His interpretation and application of the Law. 3. Sheep - Used as an example by Jesus to illustrate the value of life and the importance of mercy over ritual. 4. Sabbath - A day of rest and worship in Jewish tradition, which the Pharisees strictly observed, often leading to legalistic interpretations. 5. Pit - Represents a situation of need or danger, used metaphorically by Jesus to discuss the appropriateness of doing good on the Sabbath. Teaching Points The Spirit of the LawJesus emphasizes the importance of understanding the spirit behind the Law rather than adhering to a rigid, legalistic interpretation. The Sabbath is meant to be a day of rest and mercy, not a day of burdensome restrictions. Value of Life and Mercy The example of rescuing a sheep highlights the value of life and the priority of mercy over ritual. Christians are called to prioritize compassion and kindness, even when it challenges traditional norms. Practical Application of Faith Faith should be lived out in practical ways that reflect God's love and mercy. This includes being willing to help others in need, regardless of the day or circumstances. Challenging Legalism Jesus challenges the legalistic mindset of the Pharisees, encouraging believers to examine their own hearts and practices to ensure they align with God's heart of love and mercy.(11, 12) Will he not lay hold on it?--As the reasoning takes the form of an argumentum ad hominem, it is clear that the act was regarded as a lawful one, even by the more rigid scribes. The Talmud discusses the question, but does not decide it. Some casuists solved the problem by a compromise. The sheep was not to be pulled out of the pit till the Sabbath was over, but in the meantime it was lawful to supply it with fodder. In St. Mark and St. Luke the question is given in another form, and without the illustration, which we find in St. Luke, in another connection, in Luke 14:5. Jesus bids the man with the withered hand stand up in the midst, and then puts the question, "Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath day or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?" The alternative thus presented as a dilemma was a practical answer to their casuistry. They would have said, "Leave the man as he is till the Sabbath is over;" and our Lord's answer is that in that case good would have been left undone, and that not to do good when it lies in our power is practically to do evil.Verse 11. - Matthew alone on this occasion, but comp. Luke 14:5. And he said unto them. Christ's answer appeals from intellectual and theoretical difficulties to the practical common sense of ordinary morality (cf. Romans 3:5-7). Their own feelings would guide them to help a brute, much more a man. According to the parallel passages, our Lord first set the man in the midst of them, wishing, perhaps, to draw out their sympathy, and only afterwards spoke this verse of censure (see Chrysostom). What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep. One only, and therefore so much the dearer (Meyer). He would feel an interest in it as an animal that he had learned to love; and he would care for it as his property. In Christ's case also there was the love of man as man, and of man as belonging to him (John 10:14; John 1:11). In Luke 14:5 ("a son or an ox") the double thought is distributed over two objects; the man Would love his son, and care for his property in the ox. And if it (this, Revised Version) fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? Lightfoot ('Hor. Hebr.') confirms this from the Jerusalem Talmud and Maimonides. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek He replied,εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “If ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. one ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. of ἐξ (ex) Preposition Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. you ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. has ἕξει (hexei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. a ἕν (hen) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. sheep πρόβατον (probaton) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 4263: A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. it τοῦτο (touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. falls ἐμπέσῃ (empesē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1706: To fall in, be cast in, be involved in. From en and pipto; to fall on, i.e. to be entrapped by, or be overwhelmed with. into εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. a pit βόθυνον (bothynon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 999: A pit, ditch. Akin to bathuno; a hole; specially, a cistern. on the τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Sabbath, σάββασιν (sabbasin) Noun - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 4521: The Sabbath, a week. will he not take hold of κρατήσει (kratēsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2902: From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain. it αὐτὸ (auto) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. lift [it] out? ἐγερεῖ (egerei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1453: (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse. Links Matthew 12:11 NIVMatthew 12:11 NLT Matthew 12:11 ESV Matthew 12:11 NASB Matthew 12:11 KJV Matthew 12:11 BibleApps.com Matthew 12:11 Biblia Paralela Matthew 12:11 Chinese Bible Matthew 12:11 French Bible Matthew 12:11 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 12:11 He said to them What man (Matt. Mat Mt) |
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