The Sabbath Controversy in Matthew: An Exegesis of Matthew ...

Just as Mattahew 12:2, so here in 12:12 Matthew changes Mark’s question (Mark 3:4) into a declarative statement. This is to emphasize the halakaic nature of Jesus’ declaration. This accords well with the Jewish character of Matthew’s Gospel. Hill, Gospel, p. 209, and Barth, Tradition and Interpretation… ................
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