Matthew 12:5 web — Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltl…

World English Bible

"Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?"

— Matthew 12:5, World English Bible

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Matthew 12:5 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Matthew 12 — Context

2

But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, "Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath."

3

But he said to them, "Haven't you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him;

4

how he entered into the house of God, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests?

5

Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?

6

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

7

But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.

8

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

Matthew 12:5 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Matthew 12:5 say?
Matthew 12:5 in the World English Bible reads: “Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?”
Where is Matthew 12:5 in the Bible?
Matthew 12:5 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 12, verse 5.
Who wrote Matthew?
Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax-collector turned apostle. It was written c. AD 50–70.
What is the book of Matthew about?
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah — son of David, son of Abraham, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Structured around five great teaching blocks including the Sermon on the Mount, it ends with the risen King commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
What are the major themes of Matthew?
Matthew explores themes including Kingdom of Heaven, Messiah, Fulfillment, Discipleship, Great Commission. These themes shape the meaning and context of Matthew 12:5.
What translation should I read Matthew 12:5 in?
Matthew 12:5 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Matthew 12:5?
Matthew 12:5 reads (WEB): “Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
GodsGoodBook logo

GodsGoodBook

Making God's Word accessible to everyone

Experience the Bible like never before with multiple translations, powerful search tools, and features to make God's Word personal to you. Completely free, forever.

Features

15+ Bible Translations
Powerful Search Tools
Highlight & Annotate
Share Verses
100% Free Forever
© 2025 GodsGoodBookVersion 1.8.2