THE SON OF MAN IS LORD OF THE SABBATH

Matthew 12:1-21

Key Verse 12:8

“For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Read verses 1-2. Why did the disciples pick heads of grain on the Sabbath? Why did the Pharisees criticize them to Jesus? What was their motive?

Read verses 3-8. What did David do that was unlawful? Why? How did priests violate the Sabbath laws? Why does working in the temple excuse them from keeping Sabbath laws?

Who is the one greater than the temple? What did Jesus teach them about what God considers important? How did they condemn the innocent? What did he teach them about himself? (6,8) 

Read verses 9-10. When Jesus went into the synagogue, who was there? What did the Pharisees ask Jesus? What was their motive in asking this? What was their attitude toward the man with the shriveled hand? 

Read verses 11-14. How did Jesus answer them? What did he teach? What did he do? How did the Pharisees respond? What does this show about real shepherds and false shepherds? 

Read verses 15-16. What was Jesus aware of? Why did the people follow Jesus? What did they know about him? 

Read verses 17-21. How did Jesus fit Isaiah’s description of the Lord’s chosen servant? Who are the bruised reeds? How is Jesus the hope of the nations?

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