ESV Reformation Study Bible – Matt 12:9–14
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Matt 12:9–14

12:9–14 Another example of Christ’s lordship over the Sabbath. Again, there is no Old Testament prohibition of healing on the Sabbath, and it is always lawful to do good. Jesus does not teach that the Sabbath is abolished by the coming of the kingdom. He came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it (5:17 note). The problem was not that the Pharisees observed the Sabbath but that they misinterpreted it, and turned what should have been a delight into a burden.