Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Matthew: Chapter 12].
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12:1 {On the sabbath day through the cornfields} (\tois sabbasin
dia t•n sporim•n\). This paragraph begins exactly like 11:25
"at that season" (\en ekein•i t•i kair•i\), a general statement
with no clear idea of time. So also 14:1. The word \kairos\
means a definite and particular time, but we cannot fix it. The
word "cornfields" does not mean our maize or Indian corn, but
simply fields of grain (wheat or even barley).
12:2 {Thy disciples do} (\hoi math•tai sou poiousin\). These
critics are now watching a chance and they jump at this violation
of their Pharisaic rules for Sabbath observance. The disciples
were plucking the heads of wheat which to the Pharisees was
reaping and were rubbing them in their hands (Lu 6:1) which was
threshing.
12:3 {What David did} (\ti epoi•sen Daueid\). From the necessity
of hunger. The first defence made by Christ appeals to the
conduct of David (2Sa 21:6). David and those with him did "what
was not lawful" (\ho ouk exon •n\) precisely the charge made
against the disciples (\ho ouk exestin\ in verse 2).
12:6 {One greater than the temple} (\tou hierou meizon\).
Ablative of comparison, \tou hierou\. The Textus Receptus has
\meiz•n\, but the neuter is correct. Literally, "something
greater than the temple." What is that? It may still be Christ,
or it may be: "The work and His disciples were of more account
than the temple" (Plummer). "If the temple was not subservient to
Sabbath rules, how much less the Messiah!" (Allen).
12:7 {The guiltless} (\tous anaitious\). So in verse 5. Common
in ancient Greek. No real ground against, it means \an\ +
\aitios\. Jesus quotes Ho 6:6 here as he did in Mt 9:13. A
pertinent prophecy that had escaped the notice of the sticklers
for ceremonial literalness and the letter of the law.
12:9 {Lord of the Sabbath} (\kurios tou sabbatou\). This claim
that he as the Son of Man is master of the Sabbath and so above
the Pharisaic regulations angered them extremely. By the phrase
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Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Matthew: Chapter 12)