What is the meaning of Matthew 12:24? But when the Pharisees heard this The setting is immediate: Jesus has just healed a blind and mute man possessed by a demon, and “all the crowds were astounded and said, ‘Could this be the Son of David?’” (Matthew 12:23). The Pharisees, longtime critics of Jesus, overhear both the miracle report and the crowd’s messianic speculation. • Their hearing is not neutral; previous run-ins already hardened their hearts (Matthew 9:11–13; John 9:16). • Other Gospel parallels show the same leaders arriving from Jerusalem to police Jesus’ ministry (Mark 3:22; Luke 11:14-15). • Instead of rejoicing that a tormented man is free, they move to crisis management: stop messianic momentum. they said Speech reveals the heart (Matthew 12:34). The Pharisees openly voice an explanation that counters the crowd’s wonder. • By speaking “they said,” they attempt to frame the narrative before it spreads. • John 11:47-48 shows a similar strategy: control public opinion to safeguard their position. • Matthew 9:34 records an earlier rehearsal of the same charge, showing persistence, not a momentary slip. Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons Their claim is blunt: Jesus’ authority derives from Satan. • Beelzebul (“lord of the dwelling”) was a Philistine deity whose name became a Jewish term for Satan (2 Kings 1:2-3). • Calling him “prince of demons” aligns with Revelation 12:9 and Ephesians 2:2, identifying Satan as the ultimate ruler of fallen spirits. • The charge is not mere insult; it is theological blasphemy—attributing to Satan a work performed by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:28, 31-32; Mark 3:28-30). • Isaiah 5:20 warns against calling evil good and good evil; here the Pharisees do just that. does this man drive out demons They grudgingly concede the miracle—demons have indeed been expelled—but twist the source. • “This man” (not “Messiah,” not even “Jesus”) drips with contempt (John 9:29). • Scripture portrays Christ’s exorcisms as proofs of the in-breaking kingdom (Matthew 4:24; 8:16; Luke 11:20). • Acts 10:38 later summarizes: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.” • By denying that divine source, the Pharisees reject both the sign and the Sign-giver. summary Matthew 12:24 captures a pivotal moment of willful unbelief. The Pharisees, faced with undeniable evidence of Jesus’ liberating power, choose to label that power satanic. Their words expose hearts set against God’s revealed work, paving the way for Jesus’ solemn warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The verse underscores two unchanging truths: Jesus literally, victoriously casts out demons by the Spirit of God, and hard hearts can still twist the brightest light into darkness. |
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