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Mat_12:12. Οὖν ] Inference founded on the value which, according to Mat_12:11, is no doubt set upon an animal in such circumstances, notwithstanding the laws of Sabbath observance: Of how much greater consequence, then, is a man than a sheep? The answer is already involved in the question itself (is of far more consequence, and so on); but the final conclusion is: therefore it is allowable to do what is right on the Sabbath. By means of the general expression καλῶς ποιεῖν , which does not mean to be beneficent (Kuinoel, de Wette, Bleek), but recte agere (Act_10:33; 1Co_7:38 f.; Php_4:14; Jam_2:8; Jam_2:19; 2Pe_1:19; 3Jn_1:6), the θεραπεύειν is ranked under the category of duty, and the moral absurdity of the question in Mat_12:10 is thereby exposed. So, by this adroit handling of the argument, the inference of Jesus is secured against all contradiction; de Wette’s objection, to the effect that it might have been asked whether the healing did not admit of delay, is founded on a misunderstanding of the καλῶς ποιεῖν . This latter is the moral rule by which resting or working on the Sabbath is to be determined.