Matthew 9:34 kjv

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

Matthew 9:34 nkjv

But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons."

Matthew 9:34 niv

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

Matthew 9:34 esv

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

Matthew 9:34 nlt

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

Matthew 9 verses

Matthew 9 34 Meaning

Matthew 9:34 reveals the contrasting response of the religious elite to Jesus' miraculous works. While the crowds were astonished and acknowledged God's power in Jesus' demon expulsions and healings (Matt 9:33), the Pharisees levied a grave accusation. They asserted that Jesus performed His exorcisms, not by divine power, but by the power of Beelzebul, whom they considered the "ruler of the demons." This statement served to discredit Jesus' divine authority and benevolent actions by attributing them to the prince of evil.

Matthew 9 34 Context

Matthew 9 details a series of Jesus' authoritative actions, including healing a paralytic, calling Matthew the tax collector, dining with "sinners," and performing multiple miracles such as raising Jairus' daughter, healing two blind men, and finally, exorcising a mute demon-possessed man. This string of powerful deeds culminates in the astonishment of the crowds (Matt 9:33). Verse 9:34 immediately follows this peak of public amazement, introducing the contrasting, hostile response of the Pharisees. This incident serves to escalate the growing tension between Jesus and the religious establishment, demonstrating their hardened hearts and their systematic rejection of Jesus, even in the face of undeniable divine power. This accusation by the Pharisees is a clear attempt to undermine Jesus' ministry by delegitimizing His miraculous power, presenting Him as an agent of evil rather than the Son of God.

Matthew 9 34 Word analysis

• But: Greek: De (δέ). This conjunctive word denotes a strong contrast or opposition. It signals an immediate shift from the positive reception by the crowds (v.33) to the negative, adversarial reaction of the Pharisees.

• the Pharisees: Greek: hoi Pharisaios (οἱ Φαρισαῖοι). A prominent Jewish religious and social group. They were highly influential and known for their strict adherence to the Torah and their extensive oral traditions. Their consistent opposition to Jesus stemmed from their inability to reconcile His teachings and actions (such as healing on the Sabbath or associating with sinners) with their interpretations of the Law and Messianic expectations.

• said: Greek: ephēsan (ἔφησαν). Simple past tense, indicating a direct and decisive pronouncement. It suggests a formal accusation rather than a private musing.

• “He: Referring directly to Jesus, acknowledging Him as the agent of the miraculous acts, even as they dispute His authority.

• casts out: Greek: ekballei (ἐκβάλλει). Present tense of ekballō, meaning "to throw out," "cast out forcefully," or "drive out." The present tense highlights Jesus' habitual or characteristic action of exorcism. It is a powerful word indicating forceful expulsion, which accurately describes Jesus' dominion over demons.

• demons: Greek: daimonia (δαιμόνια). Refers to malevolent spiritual beings under Satan's dominion that could possess and oppress people. In the first century, the ability to cast out demons was considered a sign of divine authority, particularly associated with the Messiah.

• by: Greek: en (ἐν). Here used in an instrumental sense, meaning "by means of" or "through the power of." It indicates the source or agency of Jesus' exorcisms according to the Pharisees' malicious interpretation.

• the ruler: Greek: archonti (ἄρχοντι). From archōn, meaning "ruler," "chief," or "prince." This term designates one with supreme authority or preeminence within a group.

• of the demons: Greek: tōn daimoniōn (τῶν δαιμονίων). Clearly specifies the subjects over whom this "ruler" presides. This ruler is understood as Beelzebul (as named in Matt 12:24), a pejorative name for Satan, who is considered the chief of evil spirits. The accusation suggests Jesus acted as Beelzebul's agent, creating an absurd internal conflict within the satanic kingdom that Jesus later refutes.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "But the Pharisees said": This phrase marks a deliberate and public counter-response to the general public's awe. It signifies the emergence of direct and unified opposition from the religious authorities, indicating a critical turning point where rejection and accusation take precedence over wonder.
  • "He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons": This is a direct charge of satanic collaboration. It implicitly acknowledges Jesus' undeniable power to cast out demons but blasphemously attributes the source of that divine power to the chief of evil. This statement highlights the Pharisees' spiritual blindness and hardened hearts, as they preferred to accuse Jesus of demonic collusion rather than acknowledge Him as God's Son and Messiah, even in the face of compelling evidence.

Matthew 9 34 Bonus section

• The accusation in Matthew 9:34 sets the stage for Jesus' fuller rebuttal in Matthew 12:25-27, where He argues that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, logically demonstrating the absurdity of Satan empowering His own destruction.
• The contrast between the crowds' "never was anything like this seen" (Matt 9:33) and the Pharisees' condemnation reveals a deep divide in Israel's reception of Jesus: genuine faith among the humble versus cynical rejection from the proud religious elite.
• This verse highlights the constant spiritual battle between light and darkness, as Satan's domain is directly challenged by Jesus, and in return, Satan's agents attempt to slander the divine work.

Matthew 9 34 Commentary

Matthew 9:34 captures a pivotal moment of escalating opposition against Jesus' ministry. Immediately following a powerful demonstration of His authority over evil spirits that left the crowds amazed, the Pharisees deliberately offered a competing, malicious interpretation. They did not deny the reality of the exorcism; rather, they perverted its source, attributing the Spirit of God's work to Satan. This accusation was profoundly serious, labeling Jesus a sorcerer in league with the devil, which sought to delegitimize His divine claims and turn the public against Him. It underscored their hardened skepticism and their refusal to accept Jesus' messianic identity despite His benevolent actions and evident power. This rejection of the truth, seeing divine work and attributing it to evil, lays the groundwork for Jesus' later teaching concerning the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31-32), highlighting the dangerous spiritual state of those who wilfully malign God's redemptive activity. The verse is a stark reminder that even undeniable miracles can be met with wilful unbelief and malicious accusation when hearts are hardened by prejudice.