‘But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons he casts out demons.” '

But there is one set of people who will never see that. Refusing to believe in Him or accept Him they have to find an alternative explanation to the obvious one. And so they declare that He casts out demons by the prince of demons. But Jesus will shortly bring out the fallacy of their position (Matthew 12:25). Meanwhile He just ignores them and carries on with His ministry.

It would seem that this is Matthew's summing up of the attitude of the Pharisees to all that he has been describing. While the people continue to marvel, and Jesus' reputation continues to grow, the Pharisees continue to grow more and more sour. At least in Galilee they are finding themselves supplanted.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising