Matthew 12:6 kjv
But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
Matthew 12:6 nkjv
Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple.
Matthew 12:6 niv
I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.
Matthew 12:6 esv
I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.
Matthew 12:6 nlt
I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple!
Matthew 12 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 2:19-21 | "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."... | Jesus refers to His body as the true temple. |
| Mt 12:8 | "For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." | Jesus asserts His authority over the Sabbath itself. |
| Col 2:16-17 | "...Sabbath, are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance is Christ." | Old Testament rituals point to Christ. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "But when Christ appeared as a high priest... He entered once for all into the holy places..." | Jesus offers a superior, once-for-all sacrifice. |
| Heb 8:1-6 | "We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places..." | Jesus ministers in a greater, heavenly sanctuary. |
| Mal 3:1 | "The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple..." | Prophecy of the Messiah coming to the Temple. |
| Mk 2:27-28 | "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath." | Parallel account affirming Jesus' Sabbath Lordship. |
| Ex 20:8-10 | "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." | Commandment regarding Sabbath observance. |
| Num 28:9-10 | "On the Sabbath day two male lambs... This is the burnt offering of every Sabbath..." | Priests performed work on Sabbath in the temple. |
| 1 Sam 21:1-6 | David and his men ate the showbread, which was unlawful for them. | Precedent cited by Jesus for necessity overriding law. |
| Mt 12:7 | "And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless." | Emphasizes compassion over strict ritual. |
| Hos 6:6 | "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." | Old Testament quote about prioritizing mercy. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" | Reflects God's desire for righteousness over ritual. |
| 1 Ki 8:10-11 | "And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord..." | The glory of God filling the Temple at its dedication. |
| Isa 66:1-2 | "Thus says the Lord: 'Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool; what is the house that you would build for Me, and what is the place of My rest?'" | God transcends any man-made dwelling. |
| Acts 7:48 | "Yet the Most High does not dwell in temples made by hands, as the prophet says," | Emphasizes God's transcendence beyond physical structures. |
| Mt 1:23 | "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us)." | Jesus as the ultimate dwelling of God's presence. |
| Jn 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory..." | The incarnation: God "tabernacled" among humanity. |
| 1 Cor 3:16-17 | "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" | Believers become the new spiritual temple. |
| Rev 21:22 | "And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb." | Ultimate future state without a physical temple. |
| Lk 13:10-17 | Jesus healing a woman on the Sabbath. | Example of Jesus prioritizing healing over legalism. |
Matthew 12 verses
Matthew 12 6 Meaning
In Matthew 12:6, Jesus declares that "something greater than the temple is here." This statement is a profound assertion of His divine authority and identity, proclaiming His superiority over the most sacred institution in Judaism—the Jerusalem Temple. It signifies that the physical temple, with its rituals and inherent sanctity, finds its ultimate purpose and even supercession in Jesus Himself. His presence and His new covenant supersede the former covenant's requirements, especially regarding the letter of the law concerning Sabbath observance. Jesus implies that God's immediate presence and saving work are now centered in His person and ministry, rather than exclusively within the temple walls.
Matthew 12 6 Context
Matthew 12:6 occurs in a chapter that heavily features Jesus' confrontations with the Pharisees over His authority and Sabbath observance. The immediate context is found in verses 1-8, where Jesus' disciples are criticized for plucking grain and eating on the Sabbath, an act the Pharisees deemed unlawful "work." Jesus defends His disciples by citing two Old Testament examples: King David eating the consecrated showbread (1 Sam 21:1-6), which was unlawful but justified by necessity, and the priests in the Temple performing duties (work) on the Sabbath without blame. Following these examples, Jesus makes the profound declaration in verse 6, highlighting that He, or His kingdom/mission, embodies a greater reality than the Temple. This sets the stage for His further assertion as "Lord of the Sabbath" in verse 8 and His emphasis on mercy over sacrifice in verse 7. Historically and culturally, the Temple in Jerusalem was the pinnacle of Jewish worship, the perceived dwelling place of God's glory (Shekinah), and the center of Israel's national and religious life. Breaking the Sabbath was considered a severe transgression, carrying heavy penalties. Jesus' statement directly challenged the prevailing understanding of holiness, law, and God's presence, indicating a revolutionary shift in how God was to be approached and understood.
Matthew 12 6 Word analysis
- But (Ἀλλὰ - Alla): This strong conjunction indicates a contrast or transition, marking a significant counter-statement to the examples Jesus just gave. It highlights that what follows is a decisive and weighty declaration.
- I say (λέγω - legō): Jesus' characteristic authoritative pronouncement, often used to introduce His teaching or new interpretation, setting His words apart from common or traditional understanding.
- to you (ὑμῖν - hymin): Specifically addresses the Pharisees who are questioning His disciples, directing the profound challenge directly to their interpretation and understanding.
- that (ὅτι - hoti): Introduces a direct quotation or statement, indicating the content of Jesus' authoritative declaration.
- something (unexpressed, implied by neuter participle of 'greater'): The Greek uses a neuter adjective for "greater" (μείζων), implying not necessarily a person but a thing, reality, or entity. While ultimately referring to Jesus' person, it also encompasses His divine authority, His mission, and the dawning kingdom.
- greater (μείζων - meizōn): A comparative adjective, meaning "larger," "more important," or "superior." It indicates a qualitative preeminence, suggesting that this "something" surpasses the Temple in value, sanctity, and divine significance.
- than the temple (τοῦ ἱεροῦ - tou hierou): Refers to the hierion, the entire Temple complex (including the courts, treasury, and sacrificial areas), not just the inner sanctuary (naos). Its immense sacredness and central role in Jewish life makes Jesus' claim particularly radical. The comparison explicitly positions Jesus above Judaism's most revered institution.
- is here (ὧδε ἔστιν - hōde estin): "Here it is" or "it exists in this place." "Here" (hōde) points to Jesus' immediate presence and surroundings—Himself, His disciples, His ministry, and the unfolding of the Kingdom of God that He inaugurates. The statement emphasizes that this superior reality is not distant but active and present.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "But I say to you": This phrasing mirrors Jesus' style in the Sermon on the Mount ("You have heard that it was said... But I say to you..."), asserting His ultimate legislative and interpretive authority, directly challenging the prevailing Pharisaic tradition and legalism.
- "something greater than the temple": This is the core revolutionary claim. The Temple was considered the primary place of God's presence, reconciliation, and atonement. By declaring "something greater" is present, Jesus indicates that the very dwelling of God and the means of salvation have been redefined and made personal in Himself, eclipsing the physical structure and its sacrificial system. This foreshadows the shift from localized, ritualistic worship to a worship of God in spirit and truth through Him.
Matthew 12 6 Bonus section
- The "Greater" Motif: This declaration is part of a recurring pattern in Matthew where Jesus highlights His superiority. He states "something greater than Jonah is here" (Mt 12:41) in reference to His preaching, and "something greater than Solomon is here" (Mt 12:42) regarding His wisdom and kingly rule. This consistent "greater than" motif solidifies His identity as the ultimate authority, surpassing all previous spiritual, prophetic, and regal figures and institutions.
- Pharisaic Misunderstanding: The Pharisees, consumed by their legalistic interpretation, failed to recognize the unique presence and authority of God's Messiah standing before them. They meticulously upheld external forms while missing the profound divine reality manifested in Jesus, who embodied the very compassion and presence they claimed to serve.
- Foundation for New Covenant Theology: This statement forms a crucial foundation for New Testament theology regarding the abrogation of the old covenant rituals and the institution of the new covenant in Christ. It sets the stage for understanding Jesus' death as the ultimate sacrifice and His body as the new Temple where God truly dwells among His people (e.g., in His Church and in individual believers).
Matthew 12 6 Commentary
Matthew 12:6 is a pivotal verse where Jesus dramatically asserts His supremacy, primarily within the context of Sabbath observance disputes. After providing scriptural precedents for actions deemed unlawful by the Pharisees, Jesus culminates His defense by declaring His own preeminence. The "something greater than the temple" is intrinsically tied to His person and the Kingdom He inaugurates. The Temple was where God's presence uniquely resided for Israel; its sacrifices facilitated atonement; and its activities (including those performed by priests on the Sabbath) were deemed blameless because they were for the sacred service of God. Jesus, however, states that in Himself, the very presence of God in a higher and more perfect sense is manifested.
This declaration means:
- Jesus' Divine Authority: He is not merely a prophet or teacher, but the locus of divine presence, exceeding even the most hallowed Jewish institution. If service within the temple granted blamelessness to priests performing work on the Sabbath, how much more justified are those who serve Him, who is greater than the temple itself?
- Redefinition of Holiness: The holiness that resided in the Temple is now found in Jesus. This suggests a shift from an emphasis on sacred space and ritual to a focus on the person of Christ and His redemptive work.
- Spirit of the Law: This verse, especially when paired with verse 7's quote from Hosea 6:6 ("I desire mercy, not sacrifice"), critiques the Pharisees' misplaced emphasis on the letter of the law over its spirit. God desires genuine compassion and righteous living over rigid adherence to rituals, even those connected with sacred institutions like the Temple or Sabbath. The purpose of the law was life and liberation, not oppression and rigid rules.
In essence, Jesus is not demeaning the historical Temple but revealing its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual essence in Himself.