MAT 12:5 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Ἤ
2. ē
3. Or
4. -
5. 22280
6. C·······
7. or
8. or
9. S
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7083
1. οὐκ
2. ou
3. not
4. -
5. 37560
6. T·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7084
1. ἀνέγνωτε
2. anaginōskō
3. you all read
4. you
5. 3140
6. VIAA2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ read
8. ˱you_all˲ read
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath; R7017
11. 7085
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7086
1. τῷ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7087
1. νόμῳ
2. nomos
3. law
4. -
5. 35510
6. N····DMS
7. law
8. law
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7088
1. ὅτι
2. hoti
3. that
4. -
5. 37540
6. C·······
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7089
1. ἐν
2. en
3. -
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. on
8. on
9. -
10. -
11. 7090
1. τοῖς
2. ho
3. on the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DNP
7. ˱on˲ the
8. ˱on˲ the
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7091
1. τῷ
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 7092
1. Σάββασιν
2. sabbaton
3. days of rest
4. -
5. 45210
6. N····DNP
7. days_of_rest
8. Sabbaths
9. W
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7093
1. Σαββάτῳ
2. sabbaton
3. -
4. -
5. 45210
6. N····DNS
7. day_of_rest
8. Sabbath
9. W
10. -
11. 7094
1. οἱ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NMP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7095
1. ἱερεῖς
2. iereus
3. priests
4. priests
5. 24090
6. N····NMP
7. priests
8. priests
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7096
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7097
1. τῷ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7098
1. ἱερῷ
2. ieron
3. temple
4. temple
5. 24110
6. N····DNS
7. temple
8. temple
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7099
1. τό
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7100
1. Σάββατον
2. sabbaton
3. day of rest
4. day
5. 45210
6. N····ANS
7. day_of_rest
8. Sabbath
9. W
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7101
1. βεβηλοῦσιν
2. bebēloō
3. are profaning
4. -
5. 9530
6. VIPA3··P
7. ˓are˒ profaning
8. ˓are˒ profaning
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7102
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. and
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7103
1. ἀναίτιοι
2. anaitios
3. innocent
4. innocent
5. 3380
6. S····NMP
7. innocent
8. innocent
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7104
1. εἰσίν
2. eimi
3. they are
4. -
5. 15100
6. VIPA3··P
7. ˱they˲ are
8. ˱they˲ are
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7105

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:1–14: Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath

There are two main events in this section. One is about picking grain on the Sabbath. The other is about healing on the Sabbath. These two events show that Jesus has the authority to decide which deeds are acceptable to do on the Sabbath.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus showed that he has authority over Sabbath rules

Lord of the Sabbath (NIV)

The Pharisees criticize Jesus because of what he did on the Sabbath

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 2:23–3:6 and Luke 6:1–11.

12:5a–c

haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses a rebuke. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they accused the disciples of breaking the Sabbath laws. The Pharisees had of course read the law. Jesus accused them of not applying some of the principles in the law.

Here are some other ways to translate this rebuke:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
have you read in vain in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the day and yet are not guilty?
did you not understand anything when you read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent?
As a rhetorical question and a statement. For example:
have you not read in the law of Moses that on every Sabbath day the priests in the Temple break this law about the Sabbath day? But the priests are not wrong for doing that. (NCV)
As a statement. For example:
surely you have read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent.

Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.

12:5a

Or haven’t you read in the Law

Also, have you^(plur) never read in the book of the law
Again, did you^(plur) read in vain in the law of Moses
Surely you^(plur) have read in the law

Or: This word indicates that 12:5 is a second part of Jesus’ response. It is parallel to the first rhetorical question in 12:3–4.

Here are some other ways to introduce this second part:

Also

Again

Next

In this rhetorical question, Jesus reminded the Pharisees that one law requires the priests to offer sacrifices on the Sabbath. Another law prohibits work on the Sabbath. These two laws apparently conflict. However, everyone agreed that the law to offer sacrifices on the Sabbath was more important than the law not to work.

Jesus used a type of reasoning that Jewish teachers regularly used. They would not have been able to argue with his conclusion.

in the Law: This phrase refers to the law that Moses wrote. This law is in the first five books of the Old Testament. The Jews would know that the phrase the Law referred to the Law of Moses, but you may want to make it clear for your readers. For example:

in the Law of Moses (GNT)

In God’s law that Moses wrote

12:5b

that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple

that on the Sabbath, when the priests offer sacrifices in the temple,
that on the Sabbath, the priests work in the temple? By doing that, they
that on the Day of Rest the priests in the temple do not rest.

12:5c

break the Sabbath

they defile/spoil the Sabbath?
break the Sabbath law.
They do not obey/follow the law concerning resting on that day.

12:5b–c

on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath: This clause refers to two laws that apparently conflict. One of Moses’ laws prohibits people from working on the Sabbath. Another of Moses’ laws requires the priests to offer sacrifices on the Sabbath. Slaughtering an animal and offering it as a sacrifice was normally considered work. So by obeying one law, the priests were breaking another law. They were profaning, disrespecting, or breaking the Sabbath law.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

on every Sabbath day the priests in the Temple break this law about the Sabbath day (NCV)

on the Sabbath, when the priests work in the temple, they do not follow/obey the Sabbath law

on the Day of Rest, the priests offer sacrifices in the temple. So they do not rest on that day

temple: The word temple refers to the temple building and the walls and courtyards that surrounded it. The temple was in Jerusalem and was the most important place where Jews worshiped God.

Here are some other ways to translate the word temple:

Use a descriptive phrase. For example:
house/building of God
place of sacrifice
house/place of worship
holy/sacred house
If your language has a word for “temple,” consider using it. But you may need to modify it by saying:
temple of the Jews/Lord

Be sure to use a different term from the one you have chosen for “synagogue” (in 9:35b). There was only one temple, but there were many synagogues.

The word temple first occurs in 4:5b. See also the word temple, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information.

break the Sabbath: The Greek word that the BSB translates as break also means “defile” or “make unclean.” The Sabbath is a holy day, and doing work on that day makes the day unholy or unclean.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Keep the idea of profaning the Sabbath. For example:
desecrate the Sabbath (NET)
defile/spoil the Sabbath
Focus on the idea of breaking the Sabbath law. For example:
break the Sabbath law (GNT)
do not follow/keep the law about not working on the Sabbath

12:5d

and yet are innocent?

But no one has said that they have done wrong.
But they have not sinned.
And yet they are innocent.

and yet are innocent: The word innocent means “not guilty” or “innocent” of a crime or sin. Even though the priests worked on the Sabbath by offering sacrifices, their actions were not wrong. They were doing what God had told them to do.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

not guilty (GNT)

innocent (NIV)

not wrong

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

ἢ οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε ἐν τῷ νόμῳ, ὅτι τοῖς Σάββασιν οἱ ἱερεῖς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ τὸ Σάββατον βεβηλοῦσιν, καὶ ἀναίτιοί εἰσιν?

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἤ οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε ἐν τῷ νόμῳ ὅτι τοῖς Σάββασιν οἱ ἱερεῖς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ τό Σάββατον βεβηλοῦσιν καί ἀναίτιοι εἰσίν)

Jesus is using the question form to show the Pharisees that they should have learned a principle from the laws about priests working on the Sabbath that indicates that they are wrong to criticize the disciples. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Again, you have not understood what you have read in the law about how on the Sabbaths the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, but are innocent.]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

ἢ

The word Or introduces a second example from the Scriptures that Jesus uses to prove his point. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces another example. Alternate translation: [Similarly,] or [Further,]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὸ Σάββατον βεβηλοῦσιν

The priests were said to profane the Sabbath because they had to fulfill their priestly duties on the Sabbath. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [profane the Sabbath by doing priestly work]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἀναίτιοί εἰσιν

Jesus means that, although the priests do work on the Sabbath, the law does not condemn them, since doing priestly work on the Sabbath is an exception to the Sabbath requirements. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [are innocent, since God permits this kind of work on the Sabbaths]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Greek word
5. Greek lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Or
2. -
3. 22280
4. S
5. ē
6. C-·······
7. or
8. or
9. S
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7083
1. you all
2. you
3. 3140
5. anaginōskō
6. V-IAA2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ read
8. ˱you_all˲ read
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath; R7017
11. 7085
1. not
2. -
3. 37560
5. ou
6. T-·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7084
1. read
2. you
3. 3140
5. anaginōskō
6. V-IAA2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ read
8. ˱you_all˲ read
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath; R7017
11. 7085
1. in
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7086
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····DMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7087
1. law
2. -
3. 35510
5. nomos
6. N-····DMS
7. law
8. law
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7088
1. that
2. -
3. 37540
5. hoti
6. C-·······
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7089
1. on the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····DNP
7. ˱on˲ the
8. ˱on˲ the
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7091
1. days of rest
2. -
3. 45210
4. W
5. sabbaton
6. N-····DNP
7. days_of_rest
8. Sabbaths
9. W
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7093
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NMP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7095
1. priests
2. priests
3. 24090
5. iereus
6. N-····NMP
7. priests
8. priests
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7096
1. in
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7097
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····DNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7098
1. temple
2. temple
3. 24110
5. ieron
6. N-····DNS
7. temple
8. temple
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7099
1. are profaning
2. -
3. 9530
5. bebēloō
6. V-IPA3··P
7. ˓are˒ profaning
8. ˓are˒ profaning
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7102
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7100
1. day of rest
2. day
3. 45210
4. W
5. sabbaton
6. N-····ANS
7. day_of_rest
8. Sabbath
9. W
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7101
1. and
2. and
3. 25320
5. kai
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7103
1. they are
2. -
3. 15100
5. eimi
6. V-IPA3··P
7. ˱they˲ are
8. ˱they˲ are
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7105
1. innocent
2. innocent
3. 3380
5. anaitios
6. S-····NMP
7. innocent
8. innocent
9. -
10. Y31; TCorn_on_the_Sabbath
11. 7104

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear MAT 12:5

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)