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| The Pharisees Question Jesus, Tissot |
Matthew 12
Jesus and Beelzebul
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
The simple people are wowed by the undoubted demonstration of power. The professionals however are threatened.Jealous and insecurity can make people say and do strange things.
ESV The amazement of the crowd suggests that Jesus’s casting out demons without a word was unprecedented.
The mark of the Pharisee, they think their thoughts quietly to themselves. Their thoughts do not become words.
and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
ESV–Satan would not work against himself by exorcising a demon which was part of his attempt to control the world.
27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
ESV–Jesus’ amazing power over demons was due to the power of the Holy Spirit working through him.
ESV notes–Jesus was able to expel demons because he had bound Satan. Beginning with Jesus’ victory over Satan during the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus demonstrated that Satan was powerless to prevent him from proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and demonstrating the reality of its presence through his work and words.
Neutrality is not possible. There is a saying “If Jesus is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all.”
31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
The Sign of Jonah
38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
Jesus is canny and careful. He thinks before he speaks. So he does not reflexively give a sign. Nor does he fall for their flattery.
He had already done many signs to confirm his Messianic identity. They were asking for a sign which they could use against him.
Lines worth considering for those who believe Jesus was always nice.
Adulterous–unfaithful to their spiritual husband, God.
But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.
His death and resurrection will be the sign.
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Whoever does God’s will is the kin of Jesus!
