Matthew 12 9

Matthew 12:9 kjv

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

Matthew 12:9 nkjv

Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue.

Matthew 12:9 niv

Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue,

Matthew 12:9 esv

He went on from there and entered their synagogue.

Matthew 12:9 nlt

Then Jesus went over to their synagogue,

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 9 Meaning

This verse serves as a transition in Matthew's narrative, marking Jesus' deliberate movement from the location of the previous Sabbath controversy concerning grain plucking (likely a field or wayside) to a local synagogue. This movement indicates Jesus' continuous engagement with public life and the established religious institutions, despite mounting opposition from the Pharisees. His entry into the synagogue is purposeful, setting the scene for another confrontation with religious leaders, specifically concerning healing on the Sabbath, further illustrating His authority over the Sabbath and challenging their rigid interpretation of God's law.

Matthew 12 9 Context

Matthew 12:9 is a brief transitional verse positioned between two significant Sabbath controversies. The preceding verses (Matthew 12:1-8) recount Jesus' disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees condemned as unlawful work. Jesus defended His disciples by referencing David's actions with the consecrated bread (1 Sam 21:1-6), arguing for the priests' work in the temple on the Sabbath, and asserting His own authority as "Lord of the Sabbath" (Matt 12:8).

Verse 9 then directly follows, setting the stage for the next, even more intense, conflict. By deliberately entering "their synagogue" on the Sabbath, Jesus places Himself directly within the established religious context where the Mosaic Law, including the Sabbath commandments, was taught and enforced. The synagogue was not only a place of worship and Torah reading but also a communal gathering point for Jewish life and a frequent venue for debates and religious instruction. This intentional act underscores Jesus' challenging of human traditions that had overshadowed the spirit of God's law. The historical context includes the intricate Jewish legal system of the first century, particularly the numerous man-made interpretations and expansions (Halakha) of the Sabbath law developed by the Pharisees, which Jesus frequently confronted for being burdensome and neglecting the principles of love, mercy, and genuine divine intent.

Matthew 12 9 Word analysis

• And (Kai, καὶ): A simple conjunction connecting the events. It indicates a logical progression or immediate sequence, signaling that what follows is a continuation or direct consequence of the previous narrative, though it marks a change of scene.
• when He had departed (metabas, μεταβὰς): From the verb metabainō (μεταβαίνω), meaning "to pass over," "to go from one place to another," "to change place." It implies a deliberate relocation. The perfection of the participle ("had departed") emphasizes that the departure was completed, and then the next action followed. This transition is not random but intentional.
• from there (ekeithen, ἐκεῖθεν): Refers to the location where the previous incident occurred – likely the grain fields or the vicinity where the disciples were accused of working on the Sabbath. This word highlights the scene change.
• He went (elthen, ἦλθεν): From the verb erchomai (ἔρχομαι), "to come or go." It denotes movement. Paired with metabas, it emphasizes Jesus' active and purposeful initiative in moving to the synagogue. He chose to enter it, demonstrating his willingness to continue public ministry and confront misconceptions within religious settings.
• into (eis, εἰς): A preposition indicating movement into or toward a place. It signals the destination and Jesus' physical presence within the synagogue.
• their (autōn, αὐτῶν): A genitive plural pronoun "of them." This is a significant possessive. It implicitly refers to the local Jewish community, and specifically within the context of the Pharisees who had just challenged Him, it implies "the synagogue of those who held opposing views" or the dominant religious establishment of the time. It highlights that Jesus entered the sphere of those who opposed Him, signaling impending conflict.
• synagogue (synagōgēn, συναγωγήν): From synagōgē (συναγωγή), literally meaning "a bringing together," "an assembly," or "a place of assembly." It was the central institution of Jewish religious and community life in the Diaspora and also in Judea, serving for worship, Torah reading, teaching, prayer, and local administration. For Jesus to enter a synagogue was typical, as it was His regular custom (Lk 4:16). However, in this immediate context, given the previous conflict and the following one, it highlights His direct confrontation with the established religious authorities on their own turf and within their chosen day of worship.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And when He had departed from there": This phrase functions as a stage direction, quickly moving the narrative from the rural setting of the grain fields to a more formal, urban setting. It signifies not just physical movement, but also the continuous, unyielding nature of Jesus' ministry. Despite the escalating opposition, Jesus does not retreat but presses on.
• "He went into their synagogue": This is key. Jesus actively chooses to engage with the very institutions that were criticizing Him. His entry into "their" synagogue—belonging to the very religious establishment that opposed His interpretation of the Sabbath—is an act of boldness. It implies a confrontation is imminent and that Jesus is unafraid to meet the religious leaders on their own grounds to declare God's true will. This movement on the Sabbath further demonstrates Jesus' stance as Lord of the Sabbath, not bound by restrictive human traditions.

Matthew 12 9 Bonus section

• The shift from the "grainfields" (natural, open space) to the "synagogue" (man-made, institutional setting) reflects Jesus' ministry encompassing both the informal, everyday aspects of life and the formal religious structures of His time. He met people where they were and challenged beliefs where they were strongest.
• The "their" in "their synagogue" can also be seen as highlighting the possessive ownership the Jewish leaders felt over their religious practices and interpretations, often to the exclusion of others or true divine insight. Jesus steps into "their" domain, not seeking permission, but bringing the light of truth and divine authority.
• The repetitive nature of "going into the synagogue on the Sabbath" across the Gospels highlights it as a crucial backdrop for many of Jesus' teachings and especially His confrontations, demonstrating His method of operating within the established system to transform it.

Matthew 12 9 Commentary

Matthew 12:9, though seemingly a simple geographical transition, carries profound theological weight. It is not merely a statement of Jesus changing location but an intentional move that precipitates another critical encounter with the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath. Following His pronouncement as "Lord of the Sabbath" in the preceding verses, Jesus enters the synagogue – the heart of Jewish communal and religious life. This demonstrates His courage and willingness to directly confront the religious elite where they held authority and where their rigid interpretations of the Mosaic Law, particularly regarding the Sabbath, were most visible.

His deliberate entry on the Sabbath itself serves as a continued affirmation of His authority over the day, implying that His actions are consistent with the true divine intention for the Sabbath, rather than mere human tradition. This sets the stage for the healing of the man with the withered hand, a clear act of mercy and goodness performed on the Sabbath, which further clarifies that God's law of the Sabbath was intended for blessing and welfare, not for rigid legalism that prevents compassion. The verse subtly underscores that Jesus' ministry was not one of avoiding conflict but of actively illuminating divine truth even when it clashed with entrenched human customs and powers. It reveals His unwavering commitment to the Father's will and His readiness to challenge the spiritual blindness of those who prioritized outward observance over inward mercy and righteousness.