Matthew 12:1-31

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:20

A bruised reed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment to victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles hope. - Isaiah 42:1ffThe last sentence of this quotation gives the sense but not the exact words of Isaiah 42:4. The bruised reed and dimly-lighted lamp are symbols of weakness and feebleness of faith, applicable in this place, no doubt, to the general spiritual condition of the Gentiles, but also a pledge that Christ does not despise the faith of... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:22

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind and dumb; and he healed him, insomuch that the dumb man spake and saw."Dumb" in this place means "mute," which was the original meaning of that word. More recent connotations, indicating feeble mental powers, are not implied. Extensive events developed from this gracious deed, the populace hailing him as the "Son of David" (a popular name for the Messiah), and the Pharisees accusing him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:23

And all the multitudes were amazed, and said, Can this be the Son of David?The contrast in attitude between the Pharisees and the multitudes showed that Christ was getting his message over to the majority of the people in spite of the bitter opposition of the leaders. For more on "Son of David," see under Matthew 1:1. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:24

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub, the prince of the demons.Regarding the meaning of "Beelzebub," see under Matthew 10:25. Charges of the Pharisees were not honest. They would have denied the miracles if possible; but, unable to do that, they spoke maliciously about the source of his power. "Beelzebub" was a combination of two ancient words, "Baal," the name of the old god of the Canaanites, and [~zebul], meaning "dunghill." In the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:25

And knowing their thoughts he said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.The argument in this and the following verse is simple, but profound. If Satan was really casting out Satan, a ridiculous absurdity on the face of it, then Satan's kingdom was being destroyed. Note that Jesus knew their thoughts, a knowledge that only God could have. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:26

And if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?Christ, in this argument, took full advantage of the fact that the Pharisees, in malice, had overreached themselves by making an argument that was fraudulent and illogical on the face of it. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:27

And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.Christ here referred to the widespread practice of some of the disciples (sons) of the Pharisees of casting out demons, or pretending to do so, which practice the Pharisees openly accepted, and upon which they based claims of divine approval of both themselves and their doctrines. Josephus described such a case thus:I have seen a certain man of my own country, whose name was Eleazer,... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:28

But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.In this, Christ turned their own arguments against them. His works, accomplished by God's power, were proof enough that the kingdom of God was at hand. "Come upon you" does not mean that the kingdom had been set up at that point, but that the King had certainly appeared, and that its establishment was near. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:29

Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.In some real sense, Satan was "bound," else the Lord could not have cast out demons. Satan is still "bound." All the evil on earth seems, at first, to negate this view; but, when it is considered that things might be infinitely worse than they are, and when certain passages of the word of God are taken into consideration, it appears certain that Satan... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:30

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.Of this, Boles wrote:In the great conflict between life and darkness, good and evil, the kingdom of God and of Satan, there is no middle ground; there is no neutral position; there is no third power to which these miracles may be attributed. These Pharisees were obliged either to join Christ or to be against him. They had to become allies of God or co-workers with Satan; there was no other alternative.[6]Also,... read more

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