INTRODUCTION
Nowhere in the Bible do we find as many references to demons as in the gospels. When Jesus arrives, Satan begins an all-out assault, and this provokes the great conflict at the center of history: Satan and his demons against the Spirit-filled son of David.

THE TEXT
“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. And all the multitudes were amazed and said, ‘Could this be the Son of David?’ Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, ‘This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’ . . . ” (Matthew 12:22-37).

SATAN AGAINST SATAN

Exorcism was one of the central features of Jesus’ ministry (4:24; 8:16, 28-34) and of His disciples (10:8). Jesus casts out a demon, and Israel is again divided. The crowds wonder if Jesus is the Messiah, David’s Son, while the Pharisees charge Him with being in league with Satan. The last time they leveled this accusation, Jesus didn’t respond (9:34). This time, He does, with a series of arguments. First, even if the charge were true, Jesus would be destroying Satan’s kingdom, since He would be dividing Satan’s kingdom (vv. 25-26). Second, the Pharisees are inconsistent. They too acknowledge exorcisms, and if Jesus casts out the demons by Satan’s power, what do the Pharisees say about their own disciples (“sons,” v. 27).

PLUNDERING THE STRONG MAN

Jesus’ alternative explanation for His power over Satan is the Spirit. The fact that He is able to cast out demons by the Spirit (cf. 3:16; 12:18) is a sign that God has begun His triumphant conquest (12:28). Again, the Pharisees don’t discern the signs of the times (11:16-19). Jesus explains this point with a brief parable alluding to the exodus. One can only defeat and plunder a strong man by binding him (v. 29). Jesus binds the strong man, Satan, and, as Israel plundered Pharaoh, so Jesus plunders the house of Satan. In this war between the Satan and the Spirit, there is no neutrality: Whoever is not with the Spirit-filled Servant is an enemy, and will be bound and plundered along with Satan.

BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE SPIRIT

Verses 31-32 have often been isolated from the context and interpreted as a passage about “the unforgivable sin.” Jesus’ saying should be understood redemptive-historically. Jesus distinguishes blasphemy against the Son of Man from blasphemy against the Spirit. In context, the Pharisees have committed the former, charging Jesus, the Son of Man, with being in league with Satan. But after His ministry comes the age of the Spirit, beginning at Pentecost, and those who reject this “second witness” will be delivered to their sin.

JUSTIFICATION BY WORDS

The Pharisees’ condemnation of Jesus has only one explanation: They are evil trees and bear evil fruit (v. 33). They are little snakes, spawn of the serpent, and the poison of asps is under their tongues (v. 34; cf. Psalm 140:3). The show their Satanic inspiration in what they speak, for what fills the mouth comes out in speech. Good men bring out good words from the treasure of their heart, and evil hearts flow with evil words. Our words are thus the standard by which we will be judged. Though we are accepted before God by faith without works, we will finally be judged by our works and words (cf. Romans 2:1-16). Be careful how you talk, because we have to give account of careless words (v. 36).