Matthew 12:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Despite not being provoked, they sought to eliminate Him. This illustrates the wickedness of jealousy! Their animosity was not limited to outsiders; it commonly turned against their own kin. Mark notes that they collaborated with the Herodians (Mark 3:6). How did the gentle and humble Jesus respond? Upon learning of their intentions, He retreated: Jesus, having perceived their thoughts, departed from that place (Mt. 12:14). Where, then, are those who demand miraculous signs? Through this action, He demonstrated that a heart hardened in unbelief cannot be swayed by wonders, and simultaneously revealed that His followers were unjustly accused.

Oh, the bitterness of envy; it stirs rage upon witnessing another's blessings. Yet, Jesus withdraws, for His time of suffering has not yet arrived, showing mercy to His adversaries so that they do not succumb to the grave sin of murder. It is unrighteous to recklessly put oneself in peril. Reflect on the phrase 'went out.' When they turned away from God, their hearts became set on conspiring against Jesus, for no one who dwells in God's presence would conceive such treachery.

The intent behind their conspiracy against the Lord was rooted in malice. What prompted the Pharisees to seek His destruction? It was merely that this man extended his hand. Yet, which of the Pharisees on the Sabbath refrained from reaching out to carry food, pour a drink, or attend to life's basic needs? Hence, if extending a hand to lift food and drink on the Sabbath does not amount to wrongdoing, why do they condemn another for actions they themselves might be criticized for? Especially since this man held nothing in his hand except for what was in obedience to the Lord’s directive. Aware of their schemes and their desire to eliminate their Savior, He departed to prevent them from having the opportunity to commit their evil act against Him.

They deliberated among themselves, and Mark notes that they conferred with the Herodians concerning the matter. The Herodians, although of Jewish descent, displayed excessive reverence for Herod, declaring him to be the Messiah foretold by the prophets. As it had been prophesied that the Messiah would appear when the ruler was removed from Judah, they believed Herod to be this long-awaited Savior, particularly since he was the first foreign ruler to govern the Jews and had ordered the slaughter of infants. Out of their devotion to Herod, they formed a distinct faction known as the Herodians. Regarding the Jews, Luke reports that they were enraged and plotted together about what actions to take against Jesus. Rather than holding back, they were consumed by envy and madness; they initially schemed to harm Him, ultimately resolving to take His life.

Even the most particular Pharisee could not argue that the mere speaking of these three words constituted a breach of the Sabbath. However, this vulnerability was precisely what ignited the rage of Christ’s adversaries. As recorded by St. Luke, their fury escalated; St. Matthew notes that the Pharisees, upon leaving the synagogue, plotted against Him, seeking ways to eliminate Him. The evangelist Mark recounts that the Pharisees even allied themselves with the Herodians, supporters of Herod Antipas, hoping these powerful figures in Galilee, where the Lord had His ministry, would assist them.

The Pharisees, incensed by the Lord's final act, quickly allied themselves with the Herodians to plot against Jesus. The Herodians, likely officials and supporters of Herod Antipas, the governor of Galilee, prioritized their political agendas and relationships with Rome over spiritual matters. Although the Pharisees and Herodians were typically at odds for their own reasons, their shared animosity brought them together. Aware of their malicious intentions, the Lord deemed it wise to depart from them on this occasion. He retreated to the sea, but not in a manner reflecting fear or cowardice from lawful authority; rather, He moved as a King, accompanied by His followers. His withdrawal seemed to stem from His discomfort among those who did not welcome Him.

On a subsequent Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. There was a man present whose right hand was withered. The scribes and Pharisees watched closely, eager to see if Jesus would violate the Sabbath by healing this afflicted individual. They not only observed Him in silence, but as Matthew recounts, they also presented Him with a challenge. Having called the man with the withered hand to stand in the center (as noted by Mark and Luke), Jesus asked the Pharisees, "Which of you, having a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lift it out?” (Matthew). He continued, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil? To save a life or to destroy it?” (Mark, Luke).

It would seem that hearts hardened like stone should have softened in response to such profound words and miraculous acts, yet the Pharisees possessed hearts even more unyielding than stone. Their anger was immense, which Luke the Evangelist describes as frenzied. It truly was a form of madness; it can only be characterized as such because only an evil spirit, a demonic force, could inspire them to act in this manner. Their hearts were overtaken by malevolence, leading them to abandon the synagogue and form an unholy alliance with the Herodians to conspire against Jesus. The Herodians were adherents of Herod Antipas. Despite the mutual animosity between the Pharisees and Herodians, they united in their efforts solely because the Pharisees deemed Jesus a threat to Herod's authority.

"After leaving the synagogue (Matt. 12:9), they aimed to eliminate Him, and despite being unoffended by any of His actions, they plotted to take His life (Chrysostom). This reaction, though unusual, can be comprehended considering the corruption within their hearts and their spiritual blindness. When He became aware that they intended to harm Him, and recognizing that His time had not yet arrived, He chose to withdraw. Staying would have put His life at risk (see note on Matthew 10:23).”

The Pharisees were enraged and departed from the synagogue to convene on how to eliminate Jesus Christ. In pursuit of their schemes, they even sought an alliance with the Herodians, supporters of Herod Antipas, the governor of Galilee, who were typically adversarial toward them. Their hope was that these influential figures in the region where the Lord lived and ministered would provide significant assistance in their endeavor.