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Explanation for:
Matthew
9
:
34
But the Pharisees said, By the prince of devils he casteth out devils.
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Pharisees, unable to refute the might of God, slander these miraculous deeds, claiming that He expels demons through the authority of the ruler of demons. Their malicious words reveal the persistent unbelief of the Jewish people even in the present day."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Pharisees held a markedly different view. They not only interpreted His deeds but also displayed a startling lack of shame in condemning their own actions. Truly, what a display of malevolence this is! What do they claim? Is there anything more foolish than this? As Christ later asserts, it is entirely inconceivable for a demon to cast out another demon, as a demon typically seeks to establish its own power rather than destroy it. Yet, Christ did more than expel demons; He also purified lepers, raised the dead, calmed storms, forgave sins, proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom, and guided people to the Father—actions that demons would never aspire to. Demons lead people to idolatry, divert them from the Lord, and promote disbelief in eternal life. When angered, a demon offers no good, and even when unprovoked, it harms those who serve it. Conversely, Christ's approach was entirely different. Despite enduring numerous insults and harsh criticisms, He journeyed, as the evangelist notes, through every city and village, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every illness and affliction among the people (Matt. 9:35). He neither retaliated against their indifference nor chastised them, demonstrating His humility while refuting the accusations made against Him, and intending to affirm them through forthcoming miracles, followed by an admonition."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Words of sheer insanity! For a demon does not drive out another demon. Even if He were to expel demons under the authority of the demon ruler or through sorcery, how could He heal ailments and forgive sins? How could He proclaim the kingdom? The role of a demon is precisely contrary: it inflicts disease and causes separation from God."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The people were astonished, while the Pharisees disparaged Him, claiming that He, with the ruler of demons as His ally, expelled demons through his influence. They openly stated what was readily apparent. One who has the ruler of demons as a companion acts in accordance with his will, and it is the delight of the demon to cause suffering to humanity, promote all manner of wickedness, and lead souls away from God. In stark contrast, Christ exemplified the opposite; He consistently showed kindness to others, taught every form of goodness, and directed all toward God. Furthermore, He not only refrained from punishing them but also chose not to reveal their wrongdoing, instructing us instead to endure slander graciously and to do good to those who wrong us. Reflect on His actions."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"Abundant and limitless in miraculous grace! One wonder quickly led to another. The blind men had scarcely departed from the house after receiving their sight when they brought to Him a man who was both deaf and possessed by a demon. The Lord noticed him and compassionately healed him, casting out the demon. However, the Evangelist does not clarify the reason behind it; rather, he simply states, \\"the mute spoke.\\" A mute is not solely a deaf individual, but one who is both mute and deaf. The Holy Luke records that the prophet Zechariah, the father of the Forerunner, became speechless (κωφός - deaf and mute) after encountering the angel. Zechariah was indeed silent, and it is clear that he was deaf, for if he had heard, they would not have had to signal him regarding what name he intended to give his son. It is also apparent that he remained silent, as he could not articulate his words, resorting instead to writing on a tablet: “John shall be his name.” Then, \\"his mouth and tongue were loosed\\" (Luke 1:63-64). In this case, the demon possessed not just deafness but also muteness, meaning he was silent as well. In concise yet insightful language, the divinely inspired Matthew highlighted both afflictions: deafness is indicated by the term ‘nem,’ and muteness, attributing the cause of these conditions to the words: “And I cast out the demon, and he spoke to the mute.” This reveals that the demon had bound both the hearing and the speech of this man; thus, when the demon departed, \\"the mute began to speak.\\" At another occasion, the same demon-possessed individual, characterized as both mute and deaf, was also healed by Jesus Christ, who commanded, “O deaf and mute spirit! I command you, come out of him, and do not enter him again” (Mark 9:25). Furthermore, it is evident that those who fulfill the desires of the devil, and through sin and a lack of repentance become his captives, share similar conditions of deafness and dumbness. They are deaf because they do not hear the word of the Lord; they are mute because they do not proclaim messages of righteousness and virtue. Yet, these miracles, while powerful enough to affirm His divine nature to all who witnessed them, elicited mixed responses: some marveled while others condemned and blasphemed against Him. The crowd marveled, declaring, \\"This has never been seen in Israel.\\" However, the Pharisees countered, saying, \\"He casts out demons by the ruler of demons.\\" While the people offered righteous judgment, affirming that such miracles had never occurred in all of Israel's history, the Pharisees spoke falsely. Indeed, though the Prophets performed miraculous acts—most notably Moses, Elijah, and Elisha—none matched the miracles of Jesus Christ. The Prophets brought about signs through prayer to God, while Jesus performed them by His command; the Prophets acted through the grace of God, whereas Jesus operated with power and authority. Each Prophet accomplished specific miracles; Jesus Christ manifested every form of miracle. The Pharisees made unjust and erroneous judgments, claiming that Jesus expelled demons by the power of the prince of demons; yet, if Satan casts out Satan, surely his kingdom is divided, leading ultimately to his downfall. This is how the God-Man rightly silenced the Pharisees and the scribes (Mt. 12:24; Mk. 3:22; Lk. 11:18). But why do the ordinary people, lacking formal education, judge more equitably than the learned teachers, namely the Pharisees? Because envy clouds the perceptions of both the learned and the unlearned. Those free from envy render just judgments, while the Pharisees, blinded by envy, become irrational and make unjust assessments. Why did the Savior offer no response to the Pharisees' unjust claims and blasphemies? Because He had chosen not to like elsewhere, as previously noted; rather, He proceeded to preach, leaving His works behind to reveal their blasphemy."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Pharisees remarked on the astonishment of the people, who recognized the Lord’s mission as the Messiah. In contrast, the leadership sought to undermine Him through malicious accusations, aiming to lead the people astray and thereby corrupting their morality. Regarding the phrase, \\"By the power of the prince of demons,\\" it refers to the ruler of demons (ἀρχιδια'βολος, Evang. Nicod. 23). In other contexts, this chief of demons is known as Beelzebub (Matt. 12:24; see note on this verse)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Pharisees claimed, \\"He drives out demons by the authority of the prince of demons.\\" St. Chrysostom questions the absurdity of such a statement, noting that it is fundamentally illogical. Christ Himself later clarifies that a demon cannot cast out another demon, as demons typically establish their own rule rather than dismantle it. However, Jesus did more than merely expel demons; He purified lepers, resurrected the dead, calmed the storms, forgave sins, proclaimed the Kingdom, and reconciled humanity with the Father—tasks that demons neither desire nor possess the power to accomplish. Demons lead individuals to idolatry, divert them from God, and instill doubt about eternal life. Although the Pharisees hesitated to publicly critique this absurd reasoning, the Lord chose to disregard their remarks, effectively countering their blasphemous conclusions through His miraculous actions."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Pharisees, seeking to diminish the impact of this miracle on the crowd, claimed that Jesus drove out demons through the authority of the prince of demons, referring to the devil. It is clear that they did not voice this accusation in front of Jesus, as He would have challenged their falsehood, just as He did shortly after."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The people's declaration of His superiority not only in comparison to His contemporaries but also to those who came before Him incited the Pharisees to resort to the false accusations they fabricated: “He casts out demons by the ruler of demons.” They persisted in disseminating this falsehood among the populace, aiming to use this very foundation to undermine the significance of Christ's miracles."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"From the residence of Jairus, Jesus made His way to a house in Capernaum, likely that of Simon Peter, where He made His home. As He proceeded through the city's streets, two blind individuals trailed behind Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, O Jesus, son of David.” Testing their faith, the Lord continued without acknowledging their cries. Yet, the blind men persisted, following Him until they entered the house, where they approached Him once more with their urgent request. The Lord then asked them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” They replied, “Yes, Lord!” Jesus placed His hands on their eyes and declared, “According to your faith, be it done to you.” Instantly, their sight was restored. Hardly had the healed men left the Savior's presence than they brought to Him a man possessed by a demon, who was unable to speak due to the affliction. The Lord healed this individual as well, casting out the spirit, and the mute began to speak. This marked the conclusion of another challenging day in the life of Jesus, which had begun with His journey to the eastern shore toward the region of the Gadarenes."}]}
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