Page 45 - Demo

MATTHEW 
and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. 42At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.v
The Return of the Unclean Spirit.* 43w “When an unclean spirit goes out of a person it roams through arid regions searching for rest but finds none. 44Then it says, ‘I will return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it empty, swept clean, and put in order. 45Then it goes and brings back with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they move in and dwell there; and the last condition of that person is worse than the first. Thus it will be with this evil generation.”
The True Family of Jesus.* 46x While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. 47[Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.”]* 48But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
12:31
What is the unforgiveable sin? There is no clear answer to this question. “In all Holy Scripture there is not perhaps so great
or so di cult a question as this” (St. Augustine).1 The sin which will not be forgiven is to “blaspheme against the Holy Spirit”—to recognize the works of God and attribute them to the devil.
Illustration from a thirteenth century manuscript
by Joseph Assarfati
12:39
Just as Jonah emerged alive from the belly of the whale after three days, Jesus will emerge alive from the tomb in the rock.
12:48
Jesus seems to deny his mother’s request, but this passage is not about exclusion, but about inclusion: Jesus includes all who keep his word among his new family—we are his mothers, brothers, and sisters. How can we be mothers of Christ? “The members of Christ give birth in the mind, as Mary gave birth to Christ in her womb, remaining a virgin. In this way you will be mothers of Christ” (St. Augustine).2
1 The Golden Chain. 2 Sermo 72A.
similar demand for a sign. The scribes and Pharisees refuse to accept the exorcisms of Jesus as authentication of his claims and demand a sign that will end all possibility of doubt. Jesus’ response is that no such sign will be given. Because his opponents are evil and see him as an agent of Satan, nothing will convince them.
* [12:38] Teacher: see note on Mt 8:19. In Mt 16:1 the request is for a sign “from heaven” (Mk 8:11).
* [12:39] Unfaithful: literally, “adulterous.” The covenant between God and Israel was portrayed as a marriage bond, and unfaithfulness to the covenant as adultery; cf. Hos 2:4–14; Jer 3:6–10.
* [12:40] See Jon 2:1. While in Q the sign was simply Jonah’s preaching to the Ninevites (Lk 11:30, 32), Matthew here adds Jonah’s sojourn in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights, a pre gurement of Jesus’ sojourn in the abode of the dead and, implicitly, of his resurrection.
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[12:43–45] Another Q passage; cf. Mt 11:24–26. Jesus’ ministry has broken Satan’s hold over Israel, but the refusal of this evil generation to accept him will lead to a worse situation than what preceded his coming.
[12:46–50] See Mk 3:31–35. Matthew has omitted Mk 3:20–21 which is taken up in Mk 3:31 (see note on Mt 12:22–32), yet the point of the story is the same in both gospels: natural kinship with Jesus counts for nothing; only one who does the will of his heavenly Father belongs to his true family.
[12:47] This verse is omitted in some important textual witnesses, including Codex Sinaiticus (original reading) and Codex Vaticanus.
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[12:41–42] The Ninevites who repented (see Jon 3:1–10) and the queen of the south (i.e., of Sheba; see 1 Kgs 10:1–13) were pagans who responded to lesser opportunities than have been o ered to Israel in the ministry of Jesus, something greater than Jonah or Solomon. At the nal judgment they will condemn the faithless generation that has rejected him.
k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r.
[12:22–24] 9:32–34; Lk 11:14–15. [12:23] 9:27.
[12:24] 10:25; Mk 3:22.
[12:25–29] Mk 3:23–27; Lk 11:17–22. [12:28] Lk 11:20.
[12:30] Lk 11:23.
[12:31–32] Mk 3:28–30; Lk 12:10. [12:33–35] Lk 6:43–45.
s. t. u.
v. w. x.
[12:34] 3:7; 23:33; 15:11–12; Lk 3:7. [12:36–37] Jas 3:1–2.
[12:38–42] 16:1–4; Jon 2:1; 3:1–10; Mk 8:11–12; Lk 11:29–32.
[12:42] 1 Kgs 10:1–10.
[12:43–45] Lk 11:24–26.
[12:46–50] Mk 3:31–35; Lk 8:19–21.