What does Matthew 12:27 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The Pharisees" "sons" cast out demons occasionally. These "sons" were probably their disciples or less likely the Jews more generally. In either case some Jews in Jesus" day could cast out demons (cf. Acts 19:13). If the Pharisees asserted that Jesus cast out demons by Satan"s power, they would have to admit that their sons did so by the same power, something they would have denied. [source][source]

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Context Summary

Spite and hatred absolutely blind the eyes and distort the judgment. They reached their climax in this effort of the Pharisees to discredit Christ. They could not deny His miracles, so they imputed them to a collusion between Him and Satan. On the face of it, this charge was absurd. But our Lord showed clearly that in making the allegation, His enemies were violating their spiritual sense and deliberately blinding their eyes and dulling their ears to God's Spirit. This is the sin that hath never forgiveness, because the soul that acts thus ceases to wish for or seek it.

What a glimpse is given of our Savior's sore temptations and glorious victory in Matthew 12:29! He had already bound the strong man, and for this reason was able to spoil his house and deliver his captives. Let Jesus into your heart, and no foe, though he may batter the door, shall break in to destroy!

The one test that Jesus proposes is fruit. The nature of a man or doctrine or movement can be rightly estimated only when the results have had time to develop. How splendidly Christianity has stood this test! [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 12

¹  Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,
³  by scripture,
⁹  by reason,
¹³  and by a miracle
²²  He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;
²⁴  and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub,
³²  he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven
³⁶  Account shall be made of idle words
³⁸  He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,
⁴⁶  and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother