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INTRODUCTION <\/span> <\/p> THE TEXT <\/span> SATAN AGAINST SATAN <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Exorcism was one of the central features of Jesus\u2019 ministry (4:24; 8:16, 28-34) and of His disciples (10:8). Jesus casts out a demon, and Israel is again divided. The crowds wonder if Jesus is the Messiah, David\u2019s Son, while the Pharisees charge Him with being in league with Satan. The last time they leveled this accusation, Jesus didn\u2019t respond (9:34). This time, He does, with a series of arguments. First, even if the charge were true, Jesus would be destroying Satan\u2019s kingdom, since He would be dividing Satan\u2019s kingdom (vv. 25-26). Second, the Pharisees are inconsistent. They too acknowledge exorcisms, and if Jesus casts out the demons by Satan\u2019s power, what do the Pharisees say about their own disciples (\u201csons,\u201d v. 27). <\/p>\n <\/p>\n PLUNDERING THE STRONG MAN <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jesus\u2019 alternative explanation for His power over Satan is the Spirit. The fact that He is able to cast out demons by the Spirit (cf. 3:16; 12:18) is a sign that God has begun His triumphant conquest (12:28). Again, the Pharisees don\u2019t discern the signs of the times (11:16-19). Jesus explains this point with a brief parable alluding to the exodus. One can only defeat and plunder a strong man by binding him (v. 29). Jesus binds the strong man, Satan, and, as Israel plundered Pharaoh, so Jesus plunders the house of Satan. In this war between the Satan and the Spirit, there is no neutrality: Whoever is not with the Spirit-filled Servant is an enemy, and will be bound and plundered along with Satan. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE SPIRIT <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Verses 31-32 have often been isolated from the context and interpreted as a passage about \u201cthe unforgivable sin.\u201d Jesus\u2019 saying should be understood redemptive-historically. Jesus distinguishes blasphemy against the Son of Man from blasphemy against the Spirit. In context, the Pharisees have committed the former, charging Jesus, the Son of Man, with being in league with Satan. But after His ministry comes the age of the Spirit, beginning at Pentecost, and those who reject this \u201csecond witness\u201d will be delivered to their sin. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n JUSTIFICATION BY WORDS <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Pharisees\u2019 condemnation of Jesus has only one explanation: They are evil trees and bear evil fruit (v. 33). They are little snakes, spawn of the serpent, and the poison of asps is under their tongues (v. 34; cf. Psalm 140:3). The show their Satanic inspiration in what they speak, for what fills the mouth comes out in speech. Good men bring out good words from the treasure of their heart, and evil hearts flow with evil words. Our words are thus the standard by which we will be judged. Though we are accepted before God by faith without works, we will finally be judged by our works and words (cf. Romans 2:1-16). Be careful how you talk, because we have to give account of careless words (v. 36). <\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" INTRODUCTION Nowhere in the Bible do we find as many references to demons as in the gospels. When Jesus arrives, Satan begins an all-out assault, and this provokes the great conflict at the center of history: Satan and his demons against the Spirit-filled son of David. THE TEXT \u201cThen one was brought to Him who […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3021,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible-nt-matthew"],"yoast_head":"\n
Nowhere in the Bible do we find as many references to demons as in the gospels. When Jesus arrives, Satan begins an all-out assault, and this provokes the great conflict at the center of history: Satan and his demons against the Spirit-filled son of David. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and said, \u2018Could this be the Son of David?\u2019 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, \u2018This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.\u2019 . . . \u201d (Matthew 12:22-37). <\/p>\n