Matthew 12 24

Matthew 12:24 kjv

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

Matthew 12:24 nkjv

Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."

Matthew 12:24 niv

But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."

Matthew 12:24 esv

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons."

Matthew 12:24 nlt

But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, "No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons."

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 24 Meaning

This verse records the pivotal accusation made by the Pharisees against Jesus after He performed a miraculous exorcism. Following Jesus' healing of a demon-possessed blind and mute man, which astonished the crowds and led them to question His messianic identity, the Pharisees retorted by asserting that Jesus cast out demons only by the power of Beelzebub, who they considered the prince of demons. Their statement implies that Jesus' divine works were, in fact, orchestrated by Satan himself.

Matthew 12 24 Context

This verse is situated within a significant section of Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus' authority is explicitly challenged by the religious leaders. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus performs a remarkable exorcism and healing of a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute (Matt 12:22). This miracle, unlike previous ones, directly sparks a discussion among the amazed crowd, wondering if Jesus could indeed be the promised "Son of David" (the Messiah). This growing popular acclaim and implicit messianic acknowledgment directly triggers the Pharisees' malicious accusation in verse 24. Their charge comes after repeated clashes with Jesus over Sabbath observance and their inherent opposition to His growing influence and radical teachings.

Historically, the term "Pharisees" (Heb. perushim, lit. "separated ones") referred to a prominent Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Law, both written and oral. They held significant influence among the common people but often found themselves at odds with Jesus, who challenged their interpretations, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy. Their accusation of Jesus using Beelzebub's power was not simply a theological dispute but a political maneuver designed to discredit His divine authority, malign His character, and deter anyone from believing in Him as the Messiah. "Beelzebub" (Gk. Beelzeboul), derived from the Canaanite deity Baal-zebub (2 Ki 1:2), was, by the time of Jesus, used in Jewish intertestamental literature to denote a chief demon or even Satan himself, symbolizing the highest embodiment of evil. Attributing Jesus' work to Beelzebub was thus the ultimate slander, accusing Him of being an agent of evil rather than the agent of God.

Matthew 12 24 Word analysis

• But (οἱ δὲ, hoi de): Marks a stark contrast or shift. The crowd wonders about Jesus' messianic identity, but the Pharisees, having observed the miracle and heard the public's reaction, offer an opposing, negative interpretation, revealing their entrenched opposition.
• when the Pharisees (Φαρισαῖοι, Pharisaoi): Identifies the specific group of antagonists. As Jewish religious leaders, their condemnation carried significant weight and influence among the people. They represent the official, hardened rejection of Jesus' works and claims.
• heard it (ἀκούσαντες, akousantes): Signifies their direct awareness of the miraculous healing and the subsequent discussion among the crowds. Their rejection was not due to ignorance but a deliberate choice despite clear evidence.
• they said (εἶπον, eipon): A direct and public pronouncement, making their accusation explicit and deliberate.
• 'This fellow' (Οὗτος, Houtos): Literally "This one." A dismissive, derogatory pronoun demonstrating contempt and refusal to address Jesus with respect or acknowledge His identity. It is used to dehumanize or reduce His significance.
• does not cast out (οὐκ ἐκβάλλει, ouk ekballei): "Cast out" (ἐκβάλλει) is a strong verb indicating forceful expulsion. The negation "not" (οὐκ) in this phrase implies the Pharisees do not deny that Jesus is indeed expelling demons; rather, they dispute the source of His power, a critical distinction.
• demons (δαιμόνια, daimonia): Refers to malevolent evil spirits or fallen angels. Exorcism was an undeniable manifestation of divine power.
• except by (εἰ μὴ ἐν, ei mē en): This phrase, meaning "unless by means of," assigns direct agency. The Pharisees claim there is only one explanation for Jesus' power over demons: demonic partnership. It's presented as an absolute conclusion, not a mere suggestion.
• Beelzebub (Βεελζεβούλ, Beelzeboul): This specific name for the "prince of demons" is critical. It implies a high-ranking satanic entity, identifying Jesus' power source with the epitome of evil. This connects Jesus to the direct enemy of God.
• the ruler (τῷ ἄρχοντι, tō archonti): Literally "the prince" or "the chief." It confirms Beelzebub's position as the authoritative head of the demonic hierarchy, making the accusation against Jesus one of ultimate spiritual treason.
• of the demons (τῶν δαιμονίων, tōn daimoniōn): Further emphasizes that Beelzebub reigns over all the evil spirits that Jesus is casting out. It clarifies the scope of the alleged collusion.

• 'But when the Pharisees heard it, they said,': This introductory phrase sets a scene of hardened hearts. Despite witnessing a divine act that pointed to Jesus as Messiah, the religious establishment's response was not wonder or faith, but malicious slander. Their "hearing" was intellectual, but not spiritual; it did not lead to repentance but to deeper antagonism.
• "'This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.'": This entire statement is the core of their theological and political attack. It acknowledges Jesus' undeniable power to cast out demons while simultaneously reversing the divine source, attributing it to the supreme evil. This represents a profound spiritual error and misjudgment, deliberately rejecting God's evident work and attributing light to darkness, which is critically important for understanding Jesus' subsequent warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. It's an illogical argument that sets up Jesus' immediate and decisive refutation regarding a kingdom divided against itself.

Matthew 12 24 Bonus section

• The accusation in Matt 12:24 demonstrates the Pharisees' strategy to negate Jesus' miracles without directly denying their occurrence. Instead, they reinterpreted the source, painting Jesus as a sorcerer aligned with demonic forces, rather than a prophet or Messiah empowered by God. This psychological tactic aimed to turn the bewildered crowds against Him.
• This particular charge goes beyond mere misunderstanding; it suggests a wilful hardening of the heart against evident truth. The Pharisees had seen Jesus perform numerous miracles, and this specific accusation came after one of the most undeniable displays of His authority over spiritual forces.
• The term "Beelzebub" had likely evolved in Jewish tradition from a pagan deity to a specific demonic chief or epithet for Satan. Using this term was a potent theological insult, connecting Jesus to the ultimate adversary of God.
• This episode functions as a foundational context for Jesus' teaching on the unpardonable sin. The severity of their accusation necessitates Jesus' grave warning about blaspheming the Holy Spirit, which means calling God's pure and divine work, done through the Spirit, evil and demonic.

Matthew 12 24 Commentary

Matthew 12:24 captures a pivotal moment of escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees. After Jesus demonstrably cast out a demon from a blind and mute man, prompting the crowd to consider His messianic identity, the Pharisees, unable to deny the undeniable miracle, resorted to the most extreme form of calumny. They accused Jesus of exorcising demons not by divine power, but by the power of Beelzebub, the chief of demons. This was an attempt to explain away Jesus' extraordinary works by attributing them to a source of evil, thus disqualifying Him as God's anointed one. Their accusation was fundamentally illogical, as Jesus later points out that Satan cannot cast out Satan without dividing his own kingdom (Matt 12:25-26). More gravely, it stood on the precipice of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31-32), which involves wilfully and persistently attributing the clear, undeniable work of God's Spirit to the devil. This reveals the spiritual blindness and hardened hearts of the Pharisees, who, despite seeing the undeniable manifestations of God's power through Jesus, chose to deny it and align Him with darkness. It serves as a stark warning against intellectual dishonesty and deliberate rejection of divine truth, especially when it challenges established dogmas or personal power.