Overview
Matthew 12 unfolds with Jesus' disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath, leading to a confrontation with the Pharisees. Jesus proclaims Himself the Lord of the Sabbath and highlights the importance of mercy over legalistic observance. Healing on the Sabbath further angers the religious leaders, who plot against Him. The chapter continues with Jesus' teachings on the kingdom, using parables, and His response to accusations of being empowered by Beelzebub. A request for a sign is met with a warning against an adulterous generation. The chapter concludes with an emphasis on spiritual relationships, as Jesus identifies His true family as those who do the will of His Father in heaven.