Matthew 9:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."

NIV: But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."

NASB: But the Pharisees were saying, 'He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.'

CSB: But the Pharisees said, "He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons."

NLT: But the Pharisees said, 'He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.'

KJV: But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

NKJV: But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

Scripture never presents miracles as routine, common, or ordinary. Miracles are intended to be "impossible" events which can only be explained by the intervention of God. In particular, they are meant to support or provide some kind of message. This is why the New Testament often refers to such acts as "signs" (John 6:14; 20:30–31). Like any other evidence, however, signs can be ignored or misinterpreted. Members of Israel's Jewish religious leaders were present at many of Jesus' healings and stood before Him as He taught. This includes the especially-religious group known as the Pharisees.

In spite of being eyewitnesses to Jesus' undeniable displays of power in healing the sick, casting out demons, and even raising the dead, the Pharisees refused to believe what others had come to: that Jesus was the Messiah, the long-promised Son of David, arrived at last to save Israel.

In order to reject that conclusion, the Pharisees need to explain the power behind Jesus' miracles in some other way. Having seen Him cast out another demon in the previous verse, the Pharisees present declared that He casts out demons by the prince of demons. By this they meant that Satan was the power source behind Jesus' easy command over the demons and perhaps the power behind His other miracles, as well.

A notable exception to this conclusion among the Pharisees was a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He came to Jesus under the cover of darkness and admitted, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him" (John 3:2).

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.