Only by Beelzebub
—Matthew 12:22-37
This scripture study looks at Matthew 12:22-37 where Jesus answers the accusation that his miracles are done by Beelzebub. Jesus shows why this is untrue and he mentions blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and a bad tree yielding bad fruit.
(Matthew 12:22-23)
22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed the man so that he could speak and see. 23 The crowds were astounded and asked, 'Could this be the Son of David?'" (Matthew 12:22-23 BSB)
When Jesus did a double miracle, healing a man who was blind and mute, so that he could both see and speak, the people were beginning to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, that promised Son of David (Luke 1:32, John 7:42). Their religious leaders, however, were completely opposed to that belief.
1 The Pharisees Accused Jesus of Working by Beelzebub.
(Matthew 12:24-30)
The Pharisees defame Jesus
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, 'Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons (Matthew 12:24 BSB).'
The Pharisees said that Jesus cast out demons by none other than Beelzebub (Beelzebul) the ruler of demons.
The rebuttal by Jesus
25 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? (Matthew 12:25-26 BSB)
Did the Pharisees really believe that Satan empowered Jesus to cast out Satan's own subjects? That would mean Satan was attacking his own kingdom.
Jesus adds a question
27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you (Matthew 12:27-28 BSB).
Jesus also mentioned that their sons (disciples) practised exorcism. Jesus questioned the power and name by which they worked. Why should it be different to his? Their claim that Jesus works by Beelzebub reflects badly on their own disciples. So if their exorcists work by the Spirit of God, so does Jesus. Because he works by the Holy Spirit, his testimony is true: he is their Messiah and the kingdom is at hand.
Jesus adds a parable.
29 Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house (Matthew 12:29 BSB).
Jesus offers the Pharisees a parable about a strong man who has a house full of possessions. To rob that house one would have to contend with the strong man, overpower him, and tie him up. Then it would be possible to plunder. The strong man is Beelzebub, the house is his kingdom, and the possessions are his victims. No mortal can overpower Beelzebub and free his victims, without invoking the name of God and the help of the Holy Spirit. So the Pharisees’ accusation was an insult to the Spirit of God.
Jesus anticipates a reaction
30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters (Matthew 12:30 BSB).
Jesus knows that some of the Pharisees will hate him whilst others will believe. But some of them may try to stand on the middle ground and be agnostic about him. So he slips in this maxim that whoever does not side with him is against him.
Now Jesus addresses this matter of insulting the Holy Spirit.
2They Blasphemed Against the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 12:31-32)
Jesus warns of a sin never forgiven
31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come (Matthew 12:31-32 BSB).
By attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Beelzebub, the Pharisees were speaking a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that this sin "will not be forgiven".
The reason this sin is "not forgiven" is simple. The one who commits it will not repent of it. The "will not" is with the sinner, not with God. God is "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance... God commands all men everywhere to repent" (2Peter 3:9, Acts 17:30). Most of those Pharisees, however, would remain stubborn and not repent. Therefore they would not be forgiven.
Now, for good measure, Jesus adds more parables to his response...
3 They Made a Bad Tree Bearing Bad Fruit
(Matthew 12:33-37)
Jesus spoke the fruit tree parable...
33 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 12:33 BSB).
Plant in season a tree of high quality. Prepare the soil; give regular water; apply a good manure; mulch out to the drip line; prune to maintain good wood; deal with harmful insect pests. That will make the tree good and its fruit good.
The Pharisees did the opposite. They made the tree bad. If we take the tree to mean teachings, the Pharisees made a bad tree, whereas Jesus made a good one. The Pharisees invalidated the word of God by their traditions, and taught the commandments of men (Matthew 15:3-9).
Jesus severely rebukes the Pharisees...
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.(Matthew 12:34 BSB).
The words of your mouth come from the thoughts of your heart. The shocking accusation that Jesus worked by Beelzebub's power, shows how dark their hearts were. They deserved to be called a brood of snakes.
Jesus adds a final parable...
35 The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure (Matthew 12:35 BSB).
Jesus sums up the Pharisees' blasphemy against him and his Holy Spirit. Jesus is the good man. His miracles of healing, his teachings, and our salvation, are are the good things he brings forth from his heart. The Pharisees' blasphemy, traditions, and plots to kill Jesus, are the bad things that come from their heart.
Jesus concludes with a strong warning...
36 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.' (Matthew 12:36-37 BSB).