Matthew 12
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
The sun was shining. Jesus walked with his friends. They walked through a big field. The field was full of grain, tall and gold.
The friends were hungry. So hungry! They picked some grain. They ate it, right there in the field.
But some men were watching. Grumpy men. They said, "That is not allowed! Today is the resting day!"
Jesus looked at them. He was not afraid. He said, "Even David ate when he was hungry." He said, "Someone bigger than the temple is here." Jesus meant himself.
Then Jesus went into a house of prayer. A man was there. His hand was small and curled up. It could not move.
The grumpy men watched again. "Is it allowed to help him today?" they asked.
Jesus said, "If your sheep falls in a hole, you pull it out, even on the resting day. A person is worth more than a sheep!"
Then Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."
The man stretched it out. And look! His hand was well. Whole and strong.
What Does This Mean?
The grumpy men did not smile. They were angry. Very angry. They went away to make a plan against Jesus.
But Jesus did not run and fight. He walked away, quietly. Many, many people followed him. He healed them, every one. He told them, softly, not to tell everyone who he was.
Jesus was gentle. Like it was written long ago: he would not shout in the streets. He would not break a small bent flower. He would not blow out a tiny candle flame.
The Common Thread
One day, a man came who could not see and could not talk. Jesus healed him too. Now the man could see the sky. Now he could talk and sing.
Everyone was amazed. "Could this be the one God promised?" they whispered.
But the grumpy men said mean things. Jesus told them, softly and seriously, "A good tree makes good fruit."
Jesus is the good tree. He always does good things, even when others are angry.
For You
Do you know what Jesus said at the very end? His mother and brothers came to find him. Jesus looked at his friends, all around him.
He said, "Look, my mother and my brothers!"
Everyone who listens to God, and loves him, belongs to Jesus' family.
You can belong too. Jesus wants you close, just like family, sitting near him at the table.
Talk About It
Why did Jesus heal the man's hand, even though the grumpy men did not like it?
What do you think it means to be in Jesus' family?
Praying Together
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for being kind. Thank you for healing hands and eyes. I want to be close to you, like family. Amen.
Questions about Matthew 12
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Matthew 12 about?
What does Matthew 12 say?
What does Matthew 12 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Matthew 12?
Why is Matthew 12 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
They had just watched him heal a man, and still they asked for a sign. Notice what he offers them: not a spectacle, but a grave. "The sign of Jonah the prophet." Three days in the dark, then out. Maybe you keep asking God for one more proof. He already gave it, and it cost him everything.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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