Matthew 12:6

But I say unto you, That in this place is [one] greater than the temple.

But {G1161} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} in this place {G5602} is one {G2076} greater than {G3187} the temple {G2411}.

I tell you, there is in this place something greater than the Temple!

But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.

But I say unto you, that one greater than the temple is here.

Matthew 12:6 KJV Commentary: One Greater Than the Temple

Context of Matthew 12:6

Matthew 12:6 is part of a significant discourse where Jesus addresses the Pharisees' criticisms regarding His disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-2). The Sabbath, a day of rest commanded by God, had accumulated many man-made rules by the time of Jesus, leading to strict interpretations. Jesus defends His disciples by citing two Old Testament examples: King David eating the consecrated showbread, which was unlawful for anyone but priests (1 Samuel 21:6), and priests performing necessary work in the Temple on the Sabbath without incurring guilt. In this context, Jesus makes the astonishing declaration that something, or someone, "greater than the temple" is present.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Jesus' Supreme Authority: The central message of Matthew 12:6 is Jesus' unparalleled authority. The Temple was the very heart of Jewish religious life, the dwelling place of God's presence, and the site of all sacrifices and rituals. To claim to be "greater than the temple" was a profound and radical assertion, positioning Jesus as superior to the most sacred institution of His time.
  • Redefinition of True Worship and Righteousness: Jesus subtly shifts the focus from rigid adherence to external religious rituals and locations (like the Temple) to His own person. True worship and righteousness are found in Him, not merely in a building or a day. This anticipates the New Covenant emphasis on worshipping God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).
  • Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets: Jesus is not abolishing the Law but fulfilling it (Matthew 5:17). His presence, as the Messiah, signifies the culmination of God's redemptive plan, rendering the Temple's sacrificial system ultimately obsolete, as He is the ultimate sacrifice.
  • Messianic Claim: This statement is a strong, though implicit, claim to His divine identity and Messianic status. Only someone with divine authority could stand above an institution divinely ordained like the Temple. This sets the stage for His declaration in Matthew 12:8 that the Son of Man is "Lord even of the sabbath day."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "greater" is meizon (μείζων), which signifies superiority in importance, rank, or quality, not just size. When Jesus says "in this place is one greater than the temple," He is asserting His preeminence over the very institution that represented God's presence and the means of atonement for Israel. This was a direct challenge to the Pharisees' understanding of religious priority, emphasizing that God's immediate presence and redemptive work were now embodied in Jesus Himself, rather than confined to a physical structure.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 12:6 serves as a powerful reminder of Christ's centrality in our faith and worship. Our devotion should be primarily to Jesus, not to religious buildings, rituals, or traditions that might overshadow Him. It teaches us that true worship is not about external performance but about a relationship with the living Christ. This verse encourages a faith that prioritizes mercy, love, and the needs of people over rigid, legalistic interpretations of rules, reflecting the spirit of Christ's teaching about mercy over sacrifice found in Matthew 9:13.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 12:41

    The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas [is] here.

  • Matthew 12:42

    The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon [is] here.

  • 1 Peter 2:4

    ¶ To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,

  • 1 Peter 2:5

    Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:18

    But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

  • Ephesians 2:20

    And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];

  • Ephesians 2:22

    In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back