Matthew 9:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel."

NIV: And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."

NASB: And after the demon was cast out, the man who was previously unable to speak talked; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, 'Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.'

CSB: When the demon had been driven out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed, saying, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!"

NLT: So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. 'Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!' they exclaimed.

KJV: And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

NKJV: And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!”

A demon-oppressed man has just been brought before Jesus. Because of the demon, the man is mute. He cannot speak (Matthew 9:32). Jesus orders the demon away, and the man immediately begins talking. The crowd marvels and says that nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.

It's unclear what makes this specific exorcism so fantastic to the crowds. Jesus had cast many demons out before this moment. It may have been the ease with which He did so or the impressiveness of the mute man suddenly being able to speak.

This is another miracle that points to Jesus as the Messiah. Isaiah wrote that in the Messianic age, "the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy" (Isaiah 35:5–6). Jesus has now accomplished all these miracles, indicating to those who believe that the age of the Messiah has begun.

The following verse shows that the Pharisees were not among those who believed (Matthew 9:34).

Matthew 9:27–34 describes the healing of two blind men and one mute man. The blind men follow Jesus in the crowd, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." They believe Jesus is the Messiah and that He can make them see. Jesus does so, but they disobey His command not to tell anyone. Next, a demon-oppressed man is brought to Jesus. The demon has made the man unable to speak. Jesus casts out the demon, and the man starts talking. The crowds marvel at this, but the Pharisees decide Jesus' power over demons comes from Satan.

Matthew 9 continues to show how Jesus authenticated His claims to be the Messiah by powerful miracles of healing and casting out demons. He heals a paralyzed man after telling the man his sins are forgiven. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats dinner with Matthew and other tax collectors. He answers questions from Pharisees and others. A woman who touches His cloak is healed from a 12–year illness, and Jesus raises a dead girl back to life. He restores sight to blind men and speech to one who is demon oppressed. He is filled with compassion for the crowds.

Matthew 9 follows the same pattern of Matthew 8, showing through miraculous works of healing that Jesus is truly the Messiah. Christ forgives the sins of a paralyzed man and heals him. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats with tax collectors and sinners. A woman is healed by touching His garment and a dead girl is given life by the touch of His hand. Two blind men see, and Jesus casts out a demon, restoring speech to its victim. Finally, Jesus declares that the harvest is plentiful and tells His followers to pray for workers. Chapter 10 builds on this compassion as Jesus commissions the Twelve to go and deliver His gospel to the people.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 12/4/2024 3:31:15 AM