Matthew 12 11

Matthew 12:11 kjv

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?

Matthew 12:11 nkjv

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?

Matthew 12:11 niv

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?

Matthew 12:11 esv

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?

Matthew 12:11 nlt

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.

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 11 Meaning

Matthew 12:11 presents Jesus’ rhetorical question to the Pharisees, challenging their legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath. He asks if they, owning a sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath, would not immediately rescue it. This highlights the inherent human compassion and practical necessity that even they prioritize over a rigid Sabbath observance, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent argument regarding the greater value of a human life.

Matthew 12 11 Context

Matthew 12 begins with Jesus and His disciples facing scrutiny from the Pharisees over their activities on the Sabbath. In the preceding verses (Matt 12:1-8), the disciples pluck grain, which the Pharisees deem unlawful work. Jesus defends them by citing David’s action of eating the consecrated bread (1 Sam 21:1-6) and the blameless work of priests in the temple. He also declares His authority as "Lord of the Sabbath" (Matt 12:8) and emphasizes that God desires mercy, not sacrifice (Matt 12:7). Immediately following this, in Matthew 12:9-14, Jesus enters a synagogue and encounters a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees, already observing Him closely, directly ask if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath, seeking to accuse Him. Jesus' question in verse 11 is His immediate response, serving as a powerful counter-argument to expose their hypocrisy and re-establish the Sabbath's true intent. This episode takes place amidst a growing conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities over His teachings, authority, and interpretation of the Mosaic Law, particularly regarding Sabbath observance. The Oral Law (Mishnah and later Talmud) had developed numerous intricate regulations concerning permissible and forbidden activities on the Sabbath, often overshadowing the spirit of the Law given in the Torah.

Matthew 12 11 Word analysis

• "He" (Greek: Autos - αὐτὸς): Refers to Jesus. Emphasizes that this authoritative challenge comes directly from Him.
• "said" (Greek: Eipen - εἶπεν): Simple past tense, indicating a direct statement. In this context, it introduces a rhetorical question designed to provoke self-reflection and reveal hypocrisy.
• "to them" (Greek: Autois - αὐτοῖς): Refers specifically to the Pharisees present in the synagogue (implied from Matt 12:9-10). These were the religious leaders who upheld the strictest interpretations of the Law and were seeking to find fault with Jesus.
• "Which" (Greek: Tis - τίς): A pronoun introducing a rhetorical question, designed to elicit a universally expected affirmative or negative answer. Jesus uses this common rabbinic method of argument.
• "one of you" (Greek: ex hymōn - ἐξ ὑμῶν): Directly challenges their personal integrity and actions, making the argument relevant and confrontational.
• "if he has" (Greek: echei - ἔχει): Implies a hypothetical but very common scenario of ownership, especially in an agrarian society.
• "a sheep" (Greek: probaton - πρόβατον): A common and valuable animal in ancient Israel, often representing a significant portion of a household’s wealth. It also foreshadows the argument concerning the value of a person.
• "and it falls" (Greek: empesei - ἐμπέσῃ): Indicates an accidental occurrence, not something planned or premeditated work. The situation demands immediate attention.
• "into a pit" (Greek: eis bothynon - εἰς βόθυνον): A literal hole or well. This presents a clear and present danger to the animal's life or well-being, demanding immediate action beyond normal "work." Jewish law recognized the necessity of rescuing animals from pits on the Sabbath, though with specific regulations to avoid forbidden work. Jesus' question highlights the instinct to save.
• "on the Sabbath" (Greek: tō Sabbaton - τῷ Σαββάτῳ): The central point of contention. The Pharisees considered many actions work and forbidden. Jesus uses an exception they would tacitly allow to expose their inconsistent application of the law.
• "will not take hold of it" (Greek: ouk kratēsei - οὐ κρατήσει): Rhetorical question implying a definite affirmative answer; of course, they would seize it. "Kratēsei" suggests a firm grasp.
• "and lift it out" (Greek: kai antherei - καὶ ἀνθελεῖ): The direct action of rescuing. This verb means to "take up" or "lift out," indicating an exertion of effort that, under their strict interpretation, might be considered work.

• "He said to them, 'Which one of you...?": This is a confrontational yet deeply rational rhetorical question. Jesus turns the tables on the accusers, forcing them to consider their own practical application of the Sabbath law. It implies an appeal to common sense and basic humanity over rigid legalism.
• "if he has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath": This describes a specific, urgent, and common scenario in a pastoral society. The "sheep" represents property, sustenance, and something they valued. The "pit" signifies immediate danger. The inclusion of "on the Sabbath" sets up the crucial dilemma for the Pharisees: uphold an overly strict rule or prevent suffering and economic loss. Their own tradition, in some cases, permitted such rescue.
• "will not take hold of it and lift it out?": This concludes the rhetorical question, implying an undeniable affirmative answer. It highlights the expected, natural, and arguably moral response of any rational person, especially a property owner, to such an emergency. It implicitly states that basic compassion and prevention of harm outweigh ritualistic restrictions on work.

Matthew 12 11 Bonus section

This exchange illustrates the broader tension between the spirit of the Law and the letter of the Law, particularly as amplified by the Oral Tradition developed by the Pharisees. Jesus consistently pointed to the intent of God's commands—love for God and neighbor—as paramount, arguing that the Sabbath was made for humanity's benefit (Mk 2:27), not as an oppressive burden. His question highlights that even their own understanding contained inherent contradictions, as they implicitly permitted actions on the Sabbath for self-interest (property) that they condemned when it involved selfless acts for human welfare. This principle of compassion overruling strict legalism is a consistent theme throughout Jesus’ ministry and a key aspect of New Covenant understanding of righteousness.

Matthew 12 11 Commentary

Matthew 12:11 encapsulates Jesus’ consistent approach to the Sabbath: prioritizing mercy, compassion, and the preservation of life and well-being over rigid, legalistic interpretations. By asking the Pharisees about rescuing a sheep from a pit, Jesus uses an a fortiori (from the lesser to the greater) argument, a common rabbinic form of logic. If it is acceptable—even expected—to rescue a mere animal on the Sabbath due to its value and immediate danger, then how much more acceptable and necessary is it to heal a human being, who possesses infinitely greater value in God’s eyes (as elaborated in Matt 12:12)? The Pharisees, by their own unstated practice, revealed their inconsistent morality: they would "work" to save an animal because of economic loss, but condemned Jesus for doing "work" to save a human being from suffering and disability, seeing only the breaking of their detailed rules. This verse thus exposes their hypocrisy and points to a deeper understanding of God's heart: the Sabbath was intended for man's benefit, for rest, and for acts of compassion, not as a burden or a day to deny essential care. Jesus implicitly redefines Sabbath observance as a day for doing good, particularly when urgent need arises, rather than simply abstaining from all forms of "work."