Matthew 12

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:15-21

Scriptural vindication of Jesus’ ministry 12:15-21 (cf. Mark 3:7-12)Matthew concluded the two accounts of the Pharisees’ conflict with Jesus over Sabbath observance. He did so with a summary of His ministry that shows He fulfilled messianic prophecy. Jesus’ tranquility and gentleness in this pericope contrast with the Pharisees’ hatred in the former one. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:18-21

Matthew recently selected material that presented Jesus as the Son of God, the Son of David, and God Himself. Now he pointed out again that Jesus’ conduct proved Him to be the prophesied Suffering Servant of the Lord. The citation is from Isaiah 42:1-4. This is the longest Old Testament quotation in the first Gospel.". . . by inserting this quotation here Matthew helps his readers to put the confrontation in context: it is not of the Messiah’s choosing." [Note: France, The Gospel . . ., pp.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:22

"Then" (Gr. tote) does not demand a close chronological connection with what precedes (cf. Matthew 2:7; Matthew 11:20). The Greek text describes the man’s afflictions in terms that show that his demon possession produced his blindness and dumbness. The miracle itself did not interest Matthew as much as the confrontation that it produced. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:22-24

Jesus’ miracle and the response 12:22-24 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:22-37

2. Conflict over Jesus’ power 12:22-37 (cf. Mark 3:19-30; Luke 11:14-26)The Pharisees moved beyond debate to personal abuse and character assassination in this pericope. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:23-24

The astonishment of the crowd prompted their question. It expected a negative answer. Literally they said, "This cannot be the Son of David, can it?" They raised the faint possibility that Jesus might be the Messiah, but primarily their question reflected their amazed unbelief. The Jews expected Messiah to perform miracles (Matthew 12:38), but other things about Jesus, for example His servant characteristics, led them to conclude that He was not the Son of David.The Pharisees again attributed... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:25-26

Probably Jesus’ knew His critics’ thoughts as anyone else who had suffered such an attack would (cf. Matthew 9:4). Alternatively this may be a statement of Jesus’ omniscience. Any kingdom, city, or household that experiences internal conflict will destroy itself eventually if the strife continues. This holds true for the domain over which Satan rules as well. For Satan to cast out demons would amount to his casting out himself since the demons do his work. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:25-37

Jesus’ reply in view of the response 12:25-37 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:27

The Pharisees’ "sons" cast out demons occasionally. These "sons" were probably their disciples or less likely the Jews more generally. In either case some Jews in Jesus’ day could cast out demons (cf. Acts 19:13). If the Pharisees asserted that Jesus cast out demons by Satan’s power, they would have to admit that their sons did so by the same power, something they would have denied. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:28

The Spirit of God stands in stark contrast to Beelzebul. Matthew probably used "kingdom of God" here rather than "kingdom of heaven" to connect the kingdom with the Spirit."References to the Spirit occur only twelve times altogether in Matthew’s gospel, with one-third of them in chapter 12. As might be expected in a gospel concerned to interpret the significance of the life and ministry of Jesus, most of the references describe the work of the Spirit in relation to Him." [Note: Lowery, pp.... read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:15-21

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:18-21

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:22

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:22-24

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:22-37

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:23-24

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:25-26

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:25-37

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:27

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:28

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