Matthew 9:34 - Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute

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Context

Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute
…33And when the demon had been driven out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” 34But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that He drives out demons.” 35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.…

Cross References

Matthew 12:24
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.”Mark 3:22
And the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons He drives out demons.”Luke 11:15
but some of them said, “It is by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons, that He drives out demons.”John 7:20
“You have a demon,” the crowd replied. “Who is trying to kill You?”John 8:48-52
The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right to say that You are a Samaritan and You have a demon?” / “I do not have a demon,” Jesus replied, “but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. / I do not seek My own glory. There is One who seeks it, and He is the Judge. ...John 10:20
Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”Acts 4:16-17
“What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it. / But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.”Acts 5:28
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.”Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.Acts 24:5
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,2 Corinthians 6:8
through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine;Galatians 1:7
which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.Galatians 4:16
Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.1 Peter 3:16
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.

Matthew 12:23,24
And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? …

Mark 3:22
And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

Luke 11:15
But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

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Matthew 9

But the Pharisees said
The Pharisees were a prominent religious group in Judaism during the time of Jesus. They were known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions. Their opposition to Jesus often stemmed from His challenges to their interpretations and practices. This phrase highlights their role as critics and skeptics of Jesus' ministry, often questioning His authority and methods.

“It is by the prince of demons
The "prince of demons" refers to Beelzebul, a name used for Satan or a chief demon. This accusation implies that Jesus' power to cast out demons comes from a malevolent source rather than divine authority. This reflects the Pharisees' refusal to acknowledge Jesus' divine nature and the source of His power, which is a recurring theme in the Gospels. This accusation is a serious charge, as it attributes the work of the Holy Spirit to demonic influence, a concept further explored in the context of the unforgivable sin (Matthew 12:31-32).

that He drives out demons.”
Jesus' ability to drive out demons is a testament to His authority over the spiritual realm, a key aspect of His messianic mission. This act fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah bringing liberation and healing (Isaiah 61:1). The Pharisees' statement is an attempt to undermine Jesus' authority and discredit His miracles. In the broader biblical narrative, Jesus' exorcisms are signs of the in-breaking Kingdom of God, demonstrating His power over evil and His role as the Savior.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus
Central figure in the Gospel of Matthew, performing miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God.

2. Pharisees
A religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law and traditions. They often opposed Jesus and His teachings.

3. Demons
Spiritual beings opposed to God, often causing harm or possession in individuals.

4. Prince of Demons
A reference to Beelzebul, a name used for Satan or a chief demon, indicating the Pharisees' accusation against Jesus.

5. Miracle of Exorcism
The event where Jesus casts out demons, demonstrating His authority over evil spirits.

Teaching Points

Understanding Opposition
Recognize that Jesus faced opposition from religious leaders, which can be expected by His followers today.

Discernment in Accusations
Be cautious of false accusations and discern the truth through prayer and Scripture.

Authority of Jesus
Acknowledge Jesus' authority over evil, which provides comfort and assurance to believers.

Spiritual Warfare
Be aware of the reality of spiritual warfare and the power of Jesus to overcome evil.

Faithfulness in Ministry
Despite opposition, continue to serve faithfully, trusting in God's power and purpose.

(34) Through the prince of the devils.--In Matthew 12:24-30 the charge reappears, with the addition of the name of "Beelzebub," as the prince of the devils; and, together with our Lord's answer to it, will be better discussed in the Notes on those verses. Here it will be enough to note the coincidence with Matthew 10:25, which shows that the accusation had been brought before the mission of the Twelve, related in the following chapter.

Verse 34. - But the Pharisees said (vide supra). If the verse be genuine here, the thought, of course, is that the only effect of Christ's miracles upon the Pharisees was to drive them to open blasphemy and wanton opposition to the evidence of plain facts, as is brought out at length in Matthew 12:24-32. He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils; by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils (Revised Version); which indicates the true order of the words in the Greek. Through. The Revised Version margin, in, is more literal. The Pharisees assert not only that Jesus effected this cure by the instrumentality of Satan, but by means of union with him. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
Οἱ (Hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Pharisees
Φαρισαῖοι (Pharisaioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5330: Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.

said,
ἔλεγον (elegon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“[It is] by
Ἐν (En)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

prince
ἄρχοντι (archonti)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 758: Present participle of archo; a first.

of
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

demons
δαιμονίων (daimoniōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1140: An evil-spirit, demon; a heathen deity. Neuter of a derivative of daimon; a d?Monic being; by extension a deity.

[that] He drives out
ἐκβάλλει (ekballei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1544: To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.

demons.”
δαιμόνια (daimonia)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1140: An evil-spirit, demon; a heathen deity. Neuter of a derivative of daimon; a d?Monic being; by extension a deity.

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