Matthew 12:24-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:25-37

Our Lord shows the monstrous character of their accusation, and urges the need of a complete change at heart. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:26

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then. The transposition in the Revised Version to how then shall brings out more distinctly the fact that then is not temporal, but argumentative ( οὖν .). His kingdom stand? To De Wette's objection that Satan might perhaps do such a thing once so as to gain in other ways, Meyer answers that our Lord is referring to the practice of casting out devils, which, as such, is certainly directed against Satan. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:22-30

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil - See the notes at Matthew 4:24. The same account, substantially, is found in Mark 3:22-27, and Luke 11:14-26.Matthew 12:23Is not this the Son of David? - That is, Is not this the promised “descendant” of David, the Messiah? They were acquainted with the prophecy in Isaiah 35:5, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped,” and they inferred that he must be the promised Messiah who was able to do... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:22-24

Matthew 12:22-24. Then was brought unto him Namely, By the person’s friends, one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb Many, no doubt, supposed these defects to be merely natural: but the Spirit of God saw otherwise, and gives the true account, both of the disorder and the cure. How many other disorders, seemingly natural, may even now be owing to the same cause! And he healed him He immediately expelled the evil spirit, and in an instant removed the effects of his diabolical... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:25-26

Matthew 12:25-26. And Jesus knew their thoughts “It often happens, that through ignorance or weakness men form wrong judgments of things;” a conduct which, though censurable, admits of some excuse: “but when wrong judgments proceed from evil dispositions, then, indeed, do they become highly culpable. Therefore, to show that the judgment which the Pharisees passed at this time upon our Lord’s miracles was of the latter kind, the evangelist observes, that Jesus knew their thoughts: he knew... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:22-45

52. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-45; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 11:14-36)On one occasion when Jesus cast out demons, the Pharisees accused him of doing it by the power of Satan, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:22-24; Luke 11:14-16). Jesus replied that if the prince of demons used his own power to cast out demons, he would be creating civil war in his own kingdom. He would be destroying himself. The only way a strong man can be defeated is if a stronger man overpowers him. In casting out... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:24

Pharisees. See App-120 . This fellow = this [man]. Not emphatic. devils = demons. but = except. by = in [the power of]. Greek. en . Beelzebub. See note on Matthew 10:25 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:25

Jesus = He. All texts omit "Jesus" here. shall = will. 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