"The Synagogue in Matthew 12:9-14: An Exegetical Analysis of Jesus' Healing and the

Sabbath Controversy in Jewish Worship”

Sem. Roger Ryan D. Alba- C.Y 1
Rev. Fr. Angel Aparicio, O.P.
New Testament I: Mark and Matthew

Introduction

The Gospel of Matthew is a complex and multifaceted text that offers insight into the life

and teachings of Jesus, as well as the social, cultural, and religious contexts of first-century

Judaism. One aspect of Matthew's Gospel that has garnered significant attention in recent

scholarship is the role of the synagogue, which served as a central institution of Jewish worship

and community life during the time of Jesus.

In his book "Matthew in History", Ulrich Luz provides a comprehensive analysis of

Matthew's Gospel, focusing on the historical, social, and cultural contexts in which the text was

written. Luz argues that the synagogue plays a significant role in Matthew's Gospel, serving as a

site of conflict and dialogue between Jesus and the religious leaders of his time. 1 Luz contends

that Matthew's portrayal of the synagogue reflects the author's broader concern with the

relationship between Judaism and Christianity, and with the role of the law in Christian

discipleship.2

This paper seeks to explore the role of the synagogue in Matthew's Gospel, drawing on

Luz's analysis in "Matthew in History" as a primary source. Specifically, this paper will focus on

Matthew 12:9-14, a passage in which Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath,

1
See. Ulrich Luz, Matthew in History: Interpretation, Influence, and Effects (Minneapolis: Fortress Press,
1994), 129-133.
2
Ibid.
leading to conflict with the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders. 3 Through an exegetical analysis

of this passage and its historical, social, and religious contexts, this paper aims to shed light on

the significance of the synagogue in Matthew's Gospel and its implications for understanding

Jesus' identity and mission.

The purpose of this introduction is to provide an overview of the paper. In the following

sections, we will discuss Luz's analysis of the role of the synagogue in Matthew's Gospel, the

historical and cultural context of the synagogue in the first century, the literary and exegetical

analysis of Matthew 12:9-14 using Luz's insights as a guide, and the implications of this passage

for understanding the role of the synagogue in Matthew's Gospel and its relevance for

contemporary biblical studies and theology.

Discussion

During the first century, the synagogue played a crucial role in Jewish worship and

community life. It served as a place for prayer, study of the Torah, and discussion of religious

matters. The synagogue also functioned as a center for social and economic activities, providing

support for the Jewish community in various ways.4

One of the central aspects of Jewish worship was the observance of the Sabbath, which

was considered a holy day and a time of rest. The Sabbath began at sunset on Friday and lasted

until sunset on Saturday. The Sabbath observance involved refraining from work and engaging in

acts of worship and devotion.5

3
Luz, Ulrich. Matthew in History: Interpretation, Influence, and Effects. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994,
129-133.
4
Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, The Jewish Annotated New Testament (Oxford University Press,
2011), 6.

Cf. Martin Hengel, Judaism and Hellenism: Studies in Their Encounter in Palestine During the Early
5

Hellenistic Period (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1974), 52-53.

 However, there were controversies and disagreements among different Jewish sects

regarding the proper observance of the Sabbath. The Pharisees, who were a dominant religious

group in the first century, placed great emphasis on strict Sabbath observance and adherence to

the law. They held the view that healing and other acts of mercy were not allowed on the

Sabbath, unless there was a threat to life.6

These controversies and disagreements over Sabbath observance and legalism led to

tensions between Jesus and the religious leaders of his time. Jesus challenged the Pharisees' strict

interpretation of the law and their emphasis on legalism, and he often performed healings and

other acts of mercy on the Sabbath, leading to further controversies and conflicts.7

Luz contends that the synagogue was a key setting for Jesus' ministry and teaching, as it

was the central institution for Jewish worship and communal life in the first century. He notes

that the synagogue served as a site of conflict and dialogue between Jesus and the religious

leaders of his time, as Jesus challenged their interpretation of the law and called for a radical

transformation of Jewish society.8

To understand the role of the synagogue in Matthew's Gospel, it is important to consider

the historical and cultural context of the synagogue in the first century. The synagogue was a

central institution in Jewish society, serving as a place of worship, study, and community life. It

6
Levine, Amy-Jill and Brettler, Marc Zvi. The Jewish Annotated New Testament. Oxford University Press,
2011, p. 29.
7
Cf. Levine, Amy-Jill and Brettler, Marc Zvi. The Jewish Annotated New Testament. Oxford University
Press, 2011, 89; Meier, John P. A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus. Vol. 2, Mentor, 1994, pp. 162-165;
Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. Oxford University
Press, 2016, pp. 76-77.
8
Luz, Ulrich. Matthew in History: Interpretation, Influence, and Effects. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994,
67.
was also a site of religious and political authority, as the local synagogue leaders had significant

power in the community.

The historical and cultural background of Jewish worship and synagogue practice in the

first century provides important context for understanding the Sabbath observance and

controversy in Jewish tradition, as well as the Pharisaic authority and legalism that played a

significant role in the religious landscape of the time.9

The synagogue was a central institution in Jewish worship during the first century. It

served as a gathering place for prayer, study of scripture, and community life. 10 Sabbath

observance was a critical component of Jewish worship and involved refraining from work and

engaging in rest and reflection. The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect that emphasized

strict adherence to the Law of Moses and rabbinic tradition. They were influential in synagogue

practice and served as interpreters and enforcers of Jewish law.11

Jesus' decision to heal the man's withered hand on the Sabbath was a deliberate act of

defiance against the legalistic and oppressive interpretation of Sabbath law promoted by the

Pharisees. By healing the man, Jesus demonstrated his authority and power, challenged the

Pharisees' narrow understanding of Sabbath observance, and revealed the true nature of God's

kingdom as a place of restoration and renewal. Jesus' words in verses 11-12 further underscored

the importance of compassion and mercy over legalistic adherence to the letter of the law.

Overall, Jesus' actions and words in this passage reflect his subversive and transformative

9
Ibid.
10
Cf. Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, The Jewish Annotated New Testament (Oxford University
Press, 2011), 6.
11
Cf. Geza Vermes, The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English (Penguin Books, 2011), 94-96.
ministry, which sought to challenge and overturn the status quo and reveal the radical nature of

God's love and grace.

Conclusion

The synagogue was a key setting for Jesus' ministry and teaching, as it was the central

institution for Jewish worship and communal life in the first century. As a Jewish rabbi, Jesus

often taught in synagogues throughout Galilee and Judea, using the Hebrew Scriptures to

expound on his message of the coming of the kingdom of God. However, the synagogue also

served as a source of conflict and opposition for Jesus, as he challenged the religious authorities

and their interpretation of the law.

Jesus' confrontations with the Pharisees and other religious leaders often took place in the

synagogue, where he challenged their legalism and hypocrisy. For example, in Matthew 23,

Jesus denounces the scribes and Pharisees for their focus on external appearances and their

neglect of justice and mercy. This conflict ultimately led to Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

The implications of the synagogue as a site of conflict for understanding Jesus' identity

and mission are significant. Jesus' message of the kingdom of God was not simply a spiritual

message, but a political and social one as well. By challenging the religious authorities and their

interpretation of the law, Jesus was calling for a radical transformation of Jewish society and the

establishment of a new order based on justice and mercy.

Furthermore, Jesus' confrontation with the synagogue also highlights the tensions within

Judaism itself in the first century, particularly between those who advocated for strict adherence

to the law and those who emphasized compassion and social justice. Jesus' message and ministry
can be seen as part of a larger movement of Jewish renewal and reform that sought to revitalize

the tradition and bring it more in line with the ethical teachings of the prophets.

Overall, the synagogue played a crucial role in Jesus' ministry and mission, both as a site

of teaching and conflict. By understanding the cultural and historical context of the synagogue in

first-century Judaism, we can gain a deeper insight into the meaning and significance of Jesus'

message and actions.

References

France, R.T. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2007.

Hengel, Martin. Judaism and Hellenism: Studies in Their Encounter in Palestine During the
Early Hellenistic Period. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1974.

Levine, Amy-Jill and Brettler, Marc Zvi. The Jewish Annotated New Testament. Oxford
University Press, 2011.

Luz, Ulrich. Matthew in History: Interpretation, Influence, and Effects. Minneapolis: Fortress
Press, 1994.

Meier, John P. A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus. Vol. 2. Mentor, 1994.

Vermes, Geza. The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English. Penguin Books, 2011.