THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
The Kingdom: Mt 12,24-37
As we have seen, the Pharisees claim that Jesus casts out devils by the prince of devils picks up from the exorcism of 9,32-34 rather than the cure just told. It is this claim which now leads to Jesus' response in verses 25-37. We note that they call Jesus "this man", a stress by Matthew which heightens the divisions.
The first argument, verses 25 to 26, is that division is self defeating.
The second in verses 27-28, brings out the source of Jesus' ability to exorcise.
The third is a short parable in verse 29 leading to the conclusion in verse 30.
The key statement comes in verse 28 where Matthew has "Spirit of God" instead of Luke's "finger of God" (Lk 11,20). Between Is 42,1 in verse 18 and "spirit" in verse 28, Matthew would seem to be making a deliberate point. Even for Matthew, the spirit is important and it is through the spirit of God that the kingdom of God is present in Jesus and what he is doing. That marks Jesus out from other exorcists who rely on magic. Jesus came to proclaim the kingdom (4,17). Unusally for Matthew, he stresses the point by speaking of the kingdom of God rather than of heaven.
Verses 29 and 30 thus stress the choice that must be made which is followed by "therefore" at the beginning of verse 31.
That is reinforced by verses 31 and 32 which speak about blasphemy. Blasphemy is the fundamental rejection of God which requires rejection by the community, Lev 24,13-16. There is much scope for everyday forgiveness as in chapter 18. Yet there is the fundamental choice to be made between Satan and the Spirit. Choosing Satan is blasphemy against the Spirit. Here it is the Pharisees who have to make that fundamental choice.
Thus the speech ends with the parable of good and bad fruit (12,33). Matthew has used the image already for false prophets (7,16-20) which links the Pharisees with them. Sirach has a similar image in Sir 27,4-7.
The parable opens with the image of the tree, then speaks of words and the heart (verses 34-35) before concluding with judgement (verses 36-37).
The reference to the brood of vipers in verse 34, was used previously of Pharisees by John the Baptist (3,7).
It is at the time of judgement, verses 36-37, that Jesus' opponents will be condemned. Each is responsible for his own words and behaviour is the conclusion. Justified or condemned is the usual translation but the Greek is close to righteous or not righteous.
We can now return to the main page.