Matthew 12:24-50

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:1-50

B. Specific instances of Israel’s rejection of Jesus ch. 12Matthew has shown that opposition to Jesus came from two main sources: the animosity of the religious leaders, and the indifference of the common Israelites. In this chapter he presented five instances in which opposition manifested itself and increased. In each situation the approach to Jesus was negative, but Jesus responded positively. [Note: Toussaint, Behold the . . ., p. 158.] "Central to the plot of Matthew’s story is the element... 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:29

Jesus encouraged the Pharisees to look at the same issue another way. Only a stronger person can bind a homeowner and ransack his house (cf. Isaiah 49:24-25). On a deeper level Jesus was speaking of Himself binding Satan and spoiling his house by casting out demons (cf. Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21-22). Thus Jesus was claiming power superior to Satan that could only be divine. Jesus will really bind Satan for 1,000 years when the kingdom begins (Revelation 20:2). Jewish pseudepigraphal literature... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:30

Jesus’ point in this statement was that there can be no neutrality in one’s relationship to Him. Those who do not side with Jesus side with Satan. This put the Pharisees in undesirable company. The Old Testament viewed man’s judgment as a harvest that God would conduct. Jesus claimed that He would be the harvesting Judge. Jesus’ statement here would have rebuked the Pharisees and warned the undecided in the crowd. Apparently they were not only refusing to come to Jesus themselves but were even... read more

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