Topical Bible: The Pharisees: Imputed Christ's Miracles to Satan's Power

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Pharisees were a prominent religious group in Judea during the time of Jesus Christ, known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the traditions of the elders. They held significant influence over the Jewish people and were often in opposition to Jesus and His teachings. One of the most notable instances of their opposition was their attribution of Christ's miraculous works to the power of Satan.

Biblical Account

The Gospels record several instances where the Pharisees accused Jesus of performing miracles by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. This accusation is most clearly articulated in the Gospel of Matthew. After Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, the people were amazed and questioned if Jesus could be the Son of David. However, the Pharisees responded, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man drives out demons" (Matthew 12:24).

Similarly, in the Gospel of Mark, the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "By the prince of demons He drives out demons" (Mark 3:22). This accusation was a direct challenge to the divine authority and identity of Jesus, as it sought to undermine His works and discredit His ministry.

Jesus' Response

In response to the Pharisees' accusations, Jesus provided a logical refutation and a stern warning. He pointed out the absurdity of their claim by stating, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?" (Matthew 12:25-26). Jesus highlighted that attributing His works to Satan was not only illogical but also blasphemous.

Furthermore, Jesus warned of the grave spiritual danger in their accusation, stating, "But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28). He emphasized that their rejection of the Holy Spirit's work through Him was perilous, leading to the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32).

Theological Implications

The Pharisees' attribution of Christ's miracles to Satan's power reveals their hardened hearts and spiritual blindness. Despite witnessing the undeniable power and authority of Jesus, they refused to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. Their accusation was not merely a misunderstanding but a willful rejection of the truth, rooted in their desire to maintain religious authority and control.

This incident underscores the spiritual conflict between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness. It highlights the necessity of discernment and the openness to the Holy Spirit's work in recognizing the true nature of Christ's mission. The Pharisees' response serves as a cautionary example of the dangers of pride, unbelief, and the rejection of divine revelation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 9:34
But the Pharisees said, He casts out devils through the prince of the devils.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 12:24
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Pharisee and the Publican
... of his birth, life, death, doctrine, and miracles, in the ... how easy had it been for
the Pharisees to have ... so in sum expounded by the Lord Christ himself (Mark 12 ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... therefore such are said to be of the sect of the Pharisees; that is ... MAN'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
REJECTED, AND THE IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST ALONE TO ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... to the apostles, who had the power to work miracles. ... was in this wall, I thought,
was Jesus Christ, who is ... so, indeed thought I. Why then, said Satan, you had ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... discover and forbid it, for it doth not give power to subdue ... as I live; especially
three things, to wit, how Christ, in despite of Satan, maintains His ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... hearts of John, whether he were the Christ or not ... is that the Lord Jesus gives the
Pharisees, those mortal ... puts himself upon the test by the miracles which he ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

part ii
... the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall ... Teacher, my Healer, my Worker
of miracles, my Saviour ... and intellect, but the Lord Jesus Christ is our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

The Doctrine
... Doth Satan tell thee thou prayest but faintly and with ... he, speaking to the same people,
that "Christ has become of ... For "sin is not imputed when there is no law ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... way but downwards, it is to let thee know that earthly things, when they are with
power upon men's minds, quite carry their hearts away from God.[70]. CHRIST. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm