Jesus Chooses the Twelve
Comments for Study 12
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I. The Son Of Man Is Lord Of The Sabbath (1-5)
>1. Why did Jesus' disciples pick heads of grain and eat the kernels?
* Luke 6:1 "One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels."
* Also in Matthew 12:1-8 and Mark 2:23-28.
* "One Sabbath" -Luke did not specify how long before or after the previous events this incident happened perhaps because he did not know. Luke stated at the beginning of his gospel that he had researched by careful investigation the events of Jesus' life. Those he interviewed remembered as the Holy Spirit inspired them. Either they did not remember the exact timing, or they told him and he did not record the exact time because the timing of the event was not important to his account. However, Matthew records that this event happened after Jesus had sent out the twelve apostles and after he had instructed them when John the Baptist has been put into prison. (Matthew 12:1)
* "Sabbath" -Genesis 1:1-2:3 records that God (Elohim in Hebrew) created the heavens and the earth. The account contains seven days. Only one day was given a name. The first six days are labled by their sequential order, one thru six. The last day is called the Sabbath (Shabbat in Hebrew) meaning "to cease" or "desist". God blessed the Sabbath and made it holy, because on it he rested from his creating work. The Israelites were instructed to rest every seven days as part of the Mosaic covenant. (Exodus 20:8-11, 23:10-12, 31:12-17, 35:1-3; Leviticus 23:1-3; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Isaiah 56:1-7, 58:13; Ezekiel 20:12-20; Jeremiah 17:21-27; Nehemiah 13:15-22) They were the first ones in history recorded to rest from working once every seven days.
* "Jesus was going through the grainfields" -Wheat, spelt (emmer), barley, and millet are the common grains in Palestine in Biblical times. The KJV translates grain as corn, not meaning North American maize.
* "his disciples began to pick some heads of grain" -The disciples were not stealing. The Mosaic law allowed the poor to pick grain from the edges of the fields. This was a form of social charity. (Leviticus 23:22, 19:10, 25:35)
* "rub them in their hands and eat the kernels" -The disciples performed a simple act in order to separate the husks from the kernels.
* The disciples harvested, threshed, winnowed, and prepared their food; four Talmud violations is one act.
* This passage is relevant in any generation. Questions like; "What is the Sabbath? Why is it important? What should I do on the Sabbath and what should I exclude?" are some of the questions any serious Bible student asks. Jesus answered these questions many times in different ways during his ministry because one of the biggest complaints the religious leaders had against Jesus was his teaching, actions, and view of the Sabbath.
>What does this suggest about Jesus' disciples?
* The disciples were hungry.
* They were poor simple men who were not to proud to live as such.
* They were hard workers who improvised when it was necessary.
* They were practical.
* We can assume that the disciples didn't know all the details of the Sabbath laws made up by the Pharisees. This was common among the poor in Galilee at the time.
* Modern day people could think, "They didn't have table manners." Yet, the religious leaders also saw this as breaking with tradition.
* Compared to fishing, what they were doing wasn't work. The Pharisees didn't do any hard labor like a fisherman. So their definition of work was different.
* Grain isn't part of luxuries.
* The engraving to the right is Jesus debating the Pharisees as his disciples gathers grain on the Sabbath. It includes the monogram of the woodcutter, Christoffel van Sichem II (1577-1658) near the head on the right; his son, Christoffel van Sichem III (1618-1659), may have collaborated with him on these images. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
>2. Why did the Pharisees rebuke them? (Ex. 20:8-10)
* Luke 6:2 "Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"
* Exodus 20:8-10 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates."
* The Sabbath has been the subject of much discussion and writing since before Jesus was born. The Jewish religious leaders had written a book they called the Talmud, the first section of which is called the Mishnah. It contains their additions to and interpretation of the Mosaic law. The additional laws were meant to protect them from breaking the law of the Mosaic covenant and thus their special relatioship with God. Someone has described the Mishnah this way; a violation of the Mosaic law is a pit that could not be escaped, so to avoid getting near the pit a gate called the Mishnah was created around the pit. The Mishnah was written 200 years before Jesus was born. The Mishnah contained a large section on what a good Jew could and could not do on the Sabbath. The Sabbath became the heart of the law during the interbiblical time. Thirty-nine tasks were banned, such as tying or untying a knot. These in turn were extended until ingenious evasions were devised that lost the spirit but satisfied the legal requirement.
* "Some of the Pharisees" -Some Pharisees were travelling with Jesus. They did not ask questions to learn, they looked for reason to discredit him.
* "Pharisees" -Pharisees were an important part of Jewish society. Not only did they teach people, they also acted as spiritual and social policeman. They studied the Old Testament very deeply, even memorizing the first five books (Mosaic law). They also studied the Talmud. A major part of their official job was to patrol the city steets and country roads to stop people from violating the Mosaic and Talmud laws. They had authority to arrest and detain people. Often they acted as judge and executioner. Pharisees are present day walking the streets of Israel again.
* "Why" -Very interested seeing just what they asked.
* "Why are you doing" -The first verse does not state that Jesus was actually doing this. The Pharisees couldn't find fault in Jesus, so they found fault in his disciples. Since the disciples were doing what they considered unlawful they blamed their teacher for their error.
* They asked Jesus. They didn't say anything to the disciples. This shows their motive of discrediting him.
* "unlawful on the Sabbath" -The Pharisees considered violating the Mishnah the same as violating the Mosaic law.
* The Pharisees would have had prepared food with them so that they wouldn't violate the Mishnah laws. They did not offer this food to the hungry disciples. Instead they complained about Jesus' disciples.
* Purpose of the Sabbath was:
1) To physically rest as the travelling and hard working Israelites needed.
2) To help the Israelites be holy people by spending time with God.
3) To act as a prophecy of the ages past and to come.
>3. What did Jesus teach them from David's example? (1 Samuel 21:1-6; Leviticus 24:9)
* Luke 6:3-4 "Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."
* 1 Samuel 21:1-6 "David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he met him, and asked, "Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?" David answered Ahimelech the priest, "The king charged me with a certain matter and said to me, 'No one is to know anything about your mission and your instructions.' As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find." But the priest answered David, "I don't have any ordinary bread on hand; however, there is some consecrated bread here--provided the men have kept themselves from women." David replied, "Indeed women have been kept from us, as usual whenever I set out. The men's things are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!" So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away."
* Leviticus 24:9 "It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place, because it is a most holy part of their regular share of the offerings made to the LORD by fire."
* David, who had been serving Saul and was his son-in-law was running away from Saul's sword and hate. He went to the Lord's priests for help. They asked what he was doing there. David lied to them. The priest gave David the consecrated bread to eat. Only the priests were allowed to eat this bread according to the law of Moses. The priests suggested and allowed it and the Lord did not condemn David nor his men.
* Jesus and David were feeding their men. They meet the needs of God's people without breaking the spirit of the law.
* Jesus and the disciples were doing better than David and his men. David and his men were lying and running for their life.
* "Have you never read" -The Pharisees would have read and been familiar with the passage. Jesus was giving them a gentle rebuke. Knowing isn't the same as understanding.
* "the house of God" -The house of God was the place where the ark of the covenant was kept. The ark symbolized God's presence amongst God's people. The tabernacle (a tent) was the first "house of God". After the Israelites entered the promised land a solid structure at Shiloh replaced the tabernacle. (Joshua 18:8; Judges 18:31, 21:19-21; 1 Samuel 1:3, 24, 4:4) When Israel's enemies destroyed the temple at Shiloh (1 Samuel 5:1; Jeremiah 7:14) the ark was moved to several places including Nob, about one mile from ancient Jerusalem, until Solomon build a temple in Jerusalem. (1 Samuel 7:1-2)
* "consecrated bread" -When persons or things were consecrated," they were separated to or belonged to God. In Exodus 25:30, the Lord's instructions concerning the paraphernalia of worship include a provision that bread be kept always on a table set before the Holy of Holies. This bread was called the bread of presence, or shewbread. The literal meaning of the Hebrew expression is “bread of the face.” It consisted of twelve loaves of presumably unleavened bread, and it was replaced each sabbath. (Holman Bible Dictionary)
>How was Jesus' view of the law different from that of the Pharisees?
* Human need should not be subjected to barren legalism. (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries)
* Mark added more than Luke. Mark 2:27-28 records that Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
>What can we learn from Jesus about the spirit of the law?
* The Sabbath was given so that man could have a good life before God.
* Jesus summed up the law as love for God and love for our neighbor.
* The Sabbath was given to enhance our love relationship with God and each other.
* The Sabbath was given as an example of what is to come. (Hebrews 4:9) A joyful weekly experience with God and his people should be a source of hope of what is to come to God's people.
>4. What do Jesus' words, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" mean?
* Luke 6:5 "Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
* "The Son of Man" -Jesus used this phrase to refer to his place as Messiah. The prophet Daniel is the first person to use this term both Biblically and extra-Biblically. Extensive search by many have confirmed this. Jesus confirmed he was the son of man through his continual use, referring to himself as the son of man. "Son of Man" refers to the virgin birth. The virgin birth is very important in the redeption of fallen mankind. Without Jesus being born in this way, he could not be without sin and therefore could not have been the perfect spotless sacrifice.
* Romans 5:15-17 "But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."
* 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."
* "Lord" -The original Greek is "kyrios". Among other things it means Jesus has authority for he is "owner" and "master". Jesus is the Lord of everything, master and owner. (Isaiah 45:18) "Kyrios" is also used in the Septuagint (third century B.C. Greek translation of the Old Testement) for the Lord God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob throughout Israel's history.
* "Lord of the Sabbath" -After giving a Biblical proof Jesus makes a remarkable proclamation; he is Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a divine ordinance; to be Lord of a divine ordinance makes one equal with the divine.
* Jesus is the meaning, the heart of the Law including the Sabbath.
* It may be significant that this follows a reference to David's action. It is the Son of David who is Lord. If David could override the law without blame, how much more could the much greater Son of Daivid do so? (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries - Luke)
* Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
II. Jesus Restores a Man's Shriveled Hand (6-11)
>5. What problem did Jesus encounter in the synagogue on another Sabbath?
* Luke 6:6 "On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled."
* Also in Matthew 12:9-14 and Mark 3:1-6.
* "On another Sabbath" -Luke did not follow chronological order here. He put together subjects about the Sabbath.
* "he went into the synagogue and was teaching" -Later in Jesus' ministry the Pharisees band Jesus from teaching in the synagogues.
* "a man was there whose right hand was shriveled" -See illustration to the right.
>Think of the troubles this man must have had because of his shriveled hand.
* People often looked at him strangely.
* He had to adjust his life.
* He felt different, even cursed.
* He wouldn't be able to find a good job in those days.
* People would often say he was cursed, rejected by God.
* No woman would marry him.
* Shriveled hand and shriveled heart.
* People with disabilities today experience the same as this man.
>6. How did the Pharisees view this man?
* Luke 6:7 "The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath."
* "were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus" -A tool to accuse Jesus.
* An insignificant person.
* "to see if he would heal on the Sabbath" -As strange as it seems they considered healing forbidden work on the Sabbath even though such miracles were only from God. They had reverse logic that boggles the mind.
* False and distorted religions are not logical. False and distorted religions oppress people.
* The engraving to the right is by William James Webbe (1830-1904).
>How did they try to use him?
* They wanted to trap Jesus. They knew that Jesus had the power to heal and the compassion to do so, a silent compliment to Jesus. So they wanted to see if Jesus would heal this man. Normally people with disabilities were made to sit in the back of a Jewish synagogue in Jesus' day. They believed that such people were cursed by God, and therefore should be treated as such. However, it appears that they allowed (or placed) this man in visable of Jesus, who at this time in his ministry was often given the honor of reading and teaching from the Torah (Old Testament).
>Why were they so opposed to Jesus?
* They were jealous of his popularity.
* They did not love God.
* Jesus taught against their teachings which they believed was God inspired.
* They were drunk with power over other's lives.
* Power by oppression generates more oppression until all are crushed.
>How was Jesus' view of this man different from that of the Pharisees?
* Luke 6:8 "But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there."
* Jesus believed this man could show God's love and power.
* "But Jesus knew what they were thinking" -Only God has this ability. The Holy Spirit in a believer in Jesus can give then this gift. Some of the prophets had this ability. (2 Kings 8:10; Jeremiah 11:18)
* "Get up and stand in front of everyone." -Jesus commanded because he wanted all to know who he was and the power he has. God often wants us to show what he has and is about to do in our lives.
* "So he got up and stood there." -He obeyed Jesus most likely in anticipation to being healed. A public witness is sometimes needed.
>7. How did Jesus respond to their challenge of his messianic ministry?
* Luke 6:9 "Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"
* "I ask you" -God often ask us the obvious question because answering it correctly will lead to life found only in Jesus.
* Jesus did not simply heal. He taught them too.
>Why did he not heal the man privately on some other day?
* Jesus wanted to teach the Pharisees and all about the Sabbath and who he was.
>What did he teach the religious leaders about good and evil and the purpose of the Sabbath?
* Luke 6:9 "Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"
* "to do good or to do evil" -Jesus answers this long and many times asked question. How? What does he say next?
* "to save life or to destroy it" -Saving life is doing good. Destroying life is evil. Saving lives are good. Destroying life is evil.
* How can we save lives?
* Sabbath was made to be good.
>8. What did it cost Jesus to help this one poor useless man?
* Luke 6:10-11 "He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus."
* The Pharisees hate and rejection to the point of death was one of the results of Jesus' grace to this man.
* Matthew added that after this event the religious leaders began plotting how they would kill him. (Matthew 12:14)
>What can we learn here from Jesus?
* The value of one soul is greater than our position. Jesus said no greater love than one lay down his life for his friends. And that is what he did.
* Jesus viewed this man healing more than his favor amongst the religious leaders.
* Do what is right without worrying about what others think of me.
* A right time to do the right thing always exists in Christ.
III. Jesus Chose The Twelve (12-16)
>9. After his conflict with the Pharisees what did Jesus do?
* Luke 6:12 "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God."
* Jesus appointing twelve Jewish men as apostles is also in Mark 3:13-19. Matthew 10:1-4 records who they are, but does not record Jesus appointing them. Rather Matthew brings their names up only when Jesus sends them out.
* "One of those days" -not directly after. Mark and Luke follow the same time line for these three events. Matthew, more chronically correct, places the naming of the apostles earlier.
* "Jesus went out to a mountainside" -A quiet lonely place can be a good place to pray.
* "spent the night praying to God" -
>Why?
* For direction.
* For communion with God.
* For strength.
>What might he have prayed about?
* His disciples.
* The future work of God.
* Jesus is recorded to pray all night now and on the Mount of Olives, two very important times.
* Jesus cared for the helpless without losing sight of raising the apostles.
* Jesus prayed for the his potential leaders.
>10. Why did he choose twelve of his disciples and designate them apostles right from the beginning of his ministry?
* Luke 6:13 "When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:"
* A disciples in those days learned from a master at anytime and all times. They would live with them.
* Jesus wanted to work with them.
* Twelve (12) tribes were chosen for Israel under the old covenant, Twelve (12) men for the church under the new covenant.
* Twelve men is considered the most one person can train effectively at one time.
>What does this suggest about Jesus' purpose in choosing them?
* To be his witnesses.
* Jesus had faith in God to change them so they could bring the gospel to the whole world.
* "apostle" -Apostle means sent.
* Jesus had vision.
>11. Who were the men he chose?
* Luke 6:14-16 "Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor."
>What kind of men were they?
* Simon Peter -ambitious, man of action, bold, self sufficient, hard worker, had a big mouth that often had little content.
* Andrew -simple, man of possibilities, had a "nothing is impossible" spirit.
* James -Son of thunder with his brother, ambitious, little compassion.
* John -Son of thunder with his brother, man of understanding and thinking, passionate, ambitious, little compassion.
* Thomas -doubter
* Philip -Thinker, brilliant, negative at first.
* Bartholomew -Nathan (John 1:35), daydreamer
* Matthew -tax collector, determined
* James son of Alphaeus
* Simon who was called the Zealot
* Judas son of James
* Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor
>What do you think were his criteria for selecting those he would train?
* young and middle aged
* men
* learning mind
* workers
* healthy
* slow to understand like everyone else
* eating all the time
* Jews
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