Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” New Living Translation And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.” English Standard Version Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Berean Standard Bible How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Berean Literal Bible How much more valuable therefore is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbaths." King James Bible How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. New King James Version Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” New American Standard Bible How much more valuable then is a person than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” NASB 1995 “How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” NASB 1977 “Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Legacy Standard Bible How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Amplified Bible How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful and permissible to do good on the Sabbath.” Christian Standard Bible A person is worth far more than a sheep; so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.” Holman Christian Standard Bible A man is worth far more than a sheep, so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.” American Standard Version How much then is a man of more value than a sheep! Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath day. Contemporary English Version People are worth much more than sheep, and so it is right to do good on the Sabbath." English Revised Version How much then is a man of more value than a sheep! Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath day. GOD'S WORD® Translation Certainly, a human is more valuable than a sheep! So it is right to do good on the day of worship." Good News Translation And a human being is worth much more than a sheep! So then, our Law does allow us to help someone on the Sabbath." International Standard Version How much more is a human being worth than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on Sabbath days." Majority Standard Bible How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.? NET Bible How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." New Heart English Bible Of how much more value then is a person than a sheep. Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Webster's Bible Translation How much then is a man better than a sheep? wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Weymouth New Testament Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is right to do good on the Sabbath." World English Bible Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHow much better, therefore, is a man than a sheep? So that it is lawful on the Sabbaths to do good.” Berean Literal Bible How much more valuable therefore is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbaths." Young's Literal Translation How much better, therefore, is a man than a sheep? -- so that it is lawful on the sabbaths to do good.' Smith's Literal Translation How much then does a man surpass a sheep? So that it is lawful to do well in the sabbaths. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHow much better is a man than a sheep? Therefore it it lawful to do a good deed on the sabbath days. Catholic Public Domain Version How much better is a man than a sheep? And so, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbaths.” New American Bible How much more valuable a person is than a sheep. So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.” New Revised Standard Version How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHow much more important is a man than a sheep? It is therefore lawful to do good on the sabbath. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “How much greater is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is legal to do good on the Sabbath.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentHow much better, then, is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath-days. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath days. Mace New Testament is not a man of much greater consequence than a sheep? how lawful then is it to do good offices on the sabbath-day? Weymouth New Testament Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is right to do good on the Sabbath." Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jesus Heals on the Sabbath…11He 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? 12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored to full use, just like the other.… Cross References 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?” Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 10:31 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds! 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? 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?” Matthew 9:12-13 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. / But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” 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. Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty. 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. Treasury of Scripture How much then is a man better than a sheep? Why it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. is a. Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? it is. Mark 3:4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. Luke 6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? Jump to Previous Better Far Good However Lawful Reason Right Sabbath Sabbaths Sheep Superior Valuable Value WhereforeJump to Next Better Far Good However Lawful Reason Right Sabbath Sabbaths Sheep Superior Valuable Value WhereforeMatthew 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. How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! This phrase emphasizes the intrinsic value of human life over animals, reflecting the biblical teaching that humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). In the context of Matthew 12, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees' legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath laws. The comparison to sheep, a common and valuable livestock in ancient Israel, highlights the greater worth of human beings. This echoes the Old Testament principle found in Psalm 8:4-8, where humanity's dominion over creation is affirmed. The rhetorical question underscores the priority of human needs and well-being over strict ritual observance. Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching about the true purpose of the Sabbath and the value of human life. 2. Pharisees Religious leaders who often challenged Jesus, particularly regarding the observance of the Sabbath. 3. The Man with the Withered Hand The individual whom Jesus heals in the synagogue, illustrating His teaching on the Sabbath. 4. The Synagogue The place where this event occurs, serving as a setting for Jesus' teaching and healing. 5. The Sabbath A day of rest and worship in Jewish tradition, which Jesus reinterprets in light of doing good and valuing human life. Teaching Points The Value of Human LifeJesus emphasizes the intrinsic worth of every person, surpassing even the value of animals. This calls us to prioritize human dignity and well-being in our actions. The Purpose of the Sabbath The Sabbath is not merely a day of rest but a time to reflect God's love through acts of goodness and mercy. Our observance should focus on life-giving activities. Legalism vs. Compassion Jesus challenges the legalistic interpretation of the law by the Pharisees, teaching that compassion and mercy should guide our understanding and application of God's commandments. Doing Good as a Priority Acts of kindness and healing are always appropriate, even on the Sabbath. We are called to seek opportunities to do good, regardless of the day or circumstance. Reflecting God's Character By doing good on the Sabbath, we reflect God's character, who is compassionate and merciful. Our actions should mirror His love and care for humanity.Verse 12. - How much then is a man better than a sheep? (Matthew 6:26; Matthew 10:31). Wherefore it is lawful to do well (to do good, Revised Version) on the sabbath days. He answers their question about healing (ver. 10) by enunciating a general principle which would cover more. "Doing good" (perhaps merely "well-doing," Acts 10:33; 1 Corinthians 7:37; but probably "doing good to" another, cf. Luke 6:26, 27; and the parallel passages here, ἀγαθοποιῆσαι η}' κακοποιῆσαι) is to be one test by which the duty of resting or of working on the sabbath is to be determined. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek How muchπόσῳ (posō) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 4214: How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many). more valuable is διαφέρει (diapherei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1308: From dia and phero; to bear through, i.e. transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. to toss about; subjectively, to 'differ', or surpass. a man 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. than a sheep! προβάτου (probatou) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 4263: A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep. Therefore ὥστε (hōste) Conjunction Strong's 5620: So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore. it is lawful ἔξεστιν (exestin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1832: It is permitted, lawful, possible. to do ποιεῖν (poiein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. good καλῶς (kalōs) Adverb Strong's 2573: Well, nobly, honorably, rightly. Adverb from kalos; well. 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. Links Matthew 12:12 NIVMatthew 12:12 NLT Matthew 12:12 ESV Matthew 12:12 NASB Matthew 12:12 KJV Matthew 12:12 BibleApps.com Matthew 12:12 Biblia Paralela Matthew 12:12 Chinese Bible Matthew 12:12 French Bible Matthew 12:12 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 12:12 Of how much more value then (Matt. Mat Mt) |
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