Matthew 12:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.

NIV: Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.

NASB: Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to Jesus, and He healed him so that the man who was unable to speak talked and could see.

CSB: Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to him. He healed him, so that the man could both speak and see.

NLT: Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see.

KJV: Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

NKJV: Then 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.

Matthew turns to another example of Jesus healing and removing a demon from a person, followed by another confrontation between the Pharisees and Jesus. A man is brought to Jesus who is in terrible shape. He can neither speak nor see, which would have made it very difficult for him to communicate. The reason for his condition appears to have been oppression by a demon. Demons, as shown in the New Testament, can sometimes cause disabilities in their victims.

Jesus immediately solves the man's problem by healing him, likely by casting the demon out. Suddenly the man can see and speak. The crowd is amazed and impressed. The Pharisees are not. This will lead to something more than a denial of a miracle. Rather than expressing doubt that this was a supernatural event, the Pharisees will accept that it's miraculous. However, they are so hardened against God that they'll insist the power comes from Satan (Matthew 12:24)!

Matthew 12:22–32 begins with Jesus healing a demon-oppressed man who cannot see or speak. The passage ends with a controversial, troubling statement. The crowds wonder if Jesus is the Messiah. Some Pharisees say Jesus casts out demons by the power of the prince of demons. Jesus counters their argument with both logic and a harsh rebuke. The Pharisees have missed the truth: the kingdom of God has come. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—seeing such a miracle and attributing it to Satan—is a sin which will not be forgiven.

Matthew 12 features confrontations between the Pharisees and Jesus over several issues. Among these are working on the Sabbath, healing on the Sabbath, and the source of His power to cast out demons. Jesus counters each argument and rebukes the Pharisees sharply for their obstinate unbelief. He even notes that those who maliciously ascribe His miracles to demons are unforgivable. He warns them, and the rest of their current generation, about the judgment to come. Jesus calls the Pharisees a brood of vipers and rejects their demand for another miracle. All they'll be promised is the sign of Jonah. The Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days. Jesus also states that all who do His Father's will are His family.

Matthew 11 depicted Jesus preaching and teaching after sending out His chosen disciples in pairs in chapter 10. Chapter 12 immediately picks up with more confrontation with the Pharisees. Jesus responds to those criticisms and rebukes their evil hearts as the source of their evil words. In the following chapter, Matthew will shift His focus onto Jesus' parables.

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 5/5/2024 2:12:55 AM