17: Rejection of the King (3) (Mt 12:22-50)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

The opposition from the Pharisees and teachers of the law had been building up. The warnings from our Lord also grew more serious. He pointed out the gravity of the sin of blasphemy and warned the “evil and adulterous generation” of the coming judgment.

B.     Key Verse

            “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (12:28).

C.     Did You Know…?

1.       Nineveh (12:41): A famous and ancient city situated on the eastern bank of the TigrisRiver opposite the modern city of Mosul. The Bible names Nimrod as the founder of Nineveh (Gen. 10:8-11). In 612 b.c. the ancient splendid city and capital of the Assyrian Empire was so completely obliterated, according to its prophesied decimation by Hebrew prophets, that it became like a myth until its discovery by Sir Austen Layard and others in the nineteenth century. ^10/924

2.       Queen of the South (12:42): In 1Ki 10:1 she is called the queen of Sheba, a country in southwest Arabia, now called Yemen. ^8/1457

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(12:22-24)

(12:25-37)

(25-28)

(29)

(30-32)

(33-37)

(12:38-42)

(12:43-45)

(12:46-50)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. General Analysis

1. The themes of this passage are closely connected to the quotation of Isaiah’s prophecy in 18-21. See if you can establish the connection.

IV.  Segment Analysis

A.     12:22-37

1. Why did the Pharisees react to Jesus’ healing so differently from the crowd?

2. Explain in your own words the three defenses Jesus gave in answer to the accusations.

2a. 25-26

2b. 27

2c. 29

3. What characterizes the kingdom of God according to 28?

4a. How was the Pharisees’ accusation blasphemy against the Spirit?

4b. Whys “blasphemy against the Spirit” a sin that cannot be forgiven?

5. Fruit is to tree as _____________ is to ______________.

6. What did Jesus teach in this section about

6a. His own power?

6b. The heart?

6c. Judgment?

B.     12:38-45

7a. What were the scribes’ and Pharisee’s demanding from Jesus? What was wrong with their demand?

7b. In what ways do we sometimes make the same mistake?

8. How was Jonah a sign?

9. What lessons and warnings can we gather from the men of Nineveh and the Queen of the South?

10a. Explain the meaning and teaching about the demon-possessed man.

10b. What must we do after we have been “swept and put in order”?

C.     12:46-50

11. Was Jesus denying His family relationships? Explain his response in verses 48-50.