Chapter Outline
Jesus defends his disciples for plucking corn (1–8)
on the sabbath day.
Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on (9–13)
the sabbath.
The malice of the Pharisees. (14–21)
Jesus heals a demoniac. (22–30)
Blasphemy of the Pharisees. (31, 32)
Evil words proceed from an evil heart. (33–37)
The scribes and Pharisees reproved for (38–45)
seeking a sign.
The disciples of Christ are his nearest (46–50)
relations.Verses 1–8
Being in the corn-fields, the disciples began to pluck the ears of corn: the law of God allowed
it, De 23:25. This was slender provision for Christ and his disciples; but they were content with it.
The Pharisees did not quarrel with them for taking another man's corn, but for doing it on the
sabbath day. Christ came to free his followers, not only from the corruptions of the Pharisees, but
from their unscriptural rules, and justified what they did. The greatest shall not have their lusts
indulged, but the meanest shall have their wants considered. Those labours are lawful on the sabbath
day which are necessary, and sabbath rest is to froward, not to hinder sabbath worship. Needful
provision for health and food is to be made; but when servants are kept at home, and families
become a scene of hurry and confusion on the Lord's day, to furnish a feast for visitors, or for
indulgence, the case is very different. Such things as these, and many others common among
professors, are to be blamed. The resting on the sabbath was ordained for man's good, De 5:14. No
law must be understood so as to contradict its own end. And as Christ is the Lord of the sabbath,
it is fit the day and the work of it should be dedicated to him.
Verses 9–13
Christ shows that works of mercy are lawful and proper to be done on the Lord's day. There
are more ways of doing well upon sabbath days, than by the duties of worship: attending the sick,
relieving the poor, helping those who need speedy relief, teaching the young to care for their souls;
these are doing good: and these must be done from love and charity, with humility and self-denial,
and shall be accepted, Ge 4:7. This, like other cures which Christ wrought, had a spiritual meaning.
By nature our hands are withered, and we are unable of ourselves to do any thing that is good.
Christ only, by the power of his grace, cures us; he heals the withered hand by putting life into the
dead soul, works in us both to will and to do: for, with the command, there is a promise of grace
given by the word.