Matthew 12

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:27

And ( καί ). Another stage in his argument. There is a further reason why they should hesitate before making such an accusation; their own disciples claimed to be able to cast out devils. If I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children ; sons (Revised Version); i.e. your pupils, who will carry on your work (cf. "sons of the prophets"). Cast them out? (cf. Matthew 4:24 , note). For examples of such cases by others than professed followers of Christ, see Luke 9:49 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:27-28

Parallel passage: Luke 11:19 , Luke 11:20 , almost verbally identical. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:28

The argument continues: "But if this be so (I say nothing about your disciples, but speak only of my own works)—if I really cast out devils by God's help, this shows such a strange putting forth of God's strength that it can mean nothing else but the coming of the Messianic kingdom." Observe that this could not be affirmed from the success of the Pharisees' disciples, for with them expulsion of devils, even if it were real, was, as it were, accidental, standing in no close connexion with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:28

An argument with a warning. "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." The sin against the Holy Ghost, which cannot be forgiven, has been so much misunderstood, because its immediate relations have not been sufficiently noticed. It has been treated as a general form of sin, of which any one may be guilty, rather than as a specific sin, of which a particular class of persons in a particular age were guilty. Our Lord was replying to certain... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:29

Parallel passages: Mark 3:27 ; Luke 11:21 , Luke 11:22 . Mark is practically identical with Matthew. Luke ("the strong man armed," etc.) is more detailed and vivid, and is perhaps the original form of the saying. Or else ; or (Revised Version); i.e. if this be not the case, that the kingdom of God is come upon you, how else do you explain what has happened, the fact of Satan's instruments being taken from him? How can one enter into a strong man's house; the house of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:29

Robbing the strong man's house. The circumstances under which it was spoken explain this parable. Our Lord had just cast out a demon from a poor creature who was both blind and dumb. A more pitiable object than such a demoniac can hardly be conceived. And yet in this extreme instance of the tenderness of Jesus to the bruised reed his enemies only see sinister motives and suspect malign influences. they charge the great Deliverer with being in league with Satan. The parable is our Lord's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:30

Parallel passage: Luke 11:23 , omitted in Mark. The aim of this verse is doubtful. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:31

Wherefore ( διὰ τοῦτο ). Referring primarily to Matthew 12:30 , and to be joined closely to "I say unto you." Because such is the terrible effect of what you think mere indifferentism, I say this solemnly, Beware of committing the great sin. Luke's connexion of our verse 43 with verse 30 gives a good but a weaker sense—Become fully decided, lest the devil return to you stronger than ever. Matthew's connexion is—Become fully decided, for the legitimate outcome of want of decision is the... read more

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