Matthew 12:6 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. In this place is one greater than the temple - Does not our Lord refer here to Malachi 3:1? Compare this with Hebrews 3:3. The Jews esteemed nothing greater than the temple, except that God who was worshipped in it. Christ, by asserting he was greater than the temple, asserts that he was God; and this he does, in still more direct terms, Matthew 12:8, The Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath - is Institutor and Governor of it. Compare this with Genesis 2:3 (note), and see the notes there.