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Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

Matthew 12:28

Matthew 12:28. By the Spirit of God, i.e., in union with the Spirit of God. The contrast with ‘Beelzebub' points to a ‘Person,' not an influence. The alternative raised by the Pharisees is accepted, namely, such works of power are done either by God or Satan. Then having proved the absurdity of the latter explanation, our Lord declares that the agent is ‘the Spirit of God.'

Then the kingdom of God is come upon you. ‘The kingdom you profess to be waiting for, has come upon you suddenly, before you expected it, in spite of your opposition to me.' An assertion, that His power was not only Divine, but sufficient to prove Him the expected Messiah. This strong charge against them grows directly out of the falsity of theirs against Him.

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See also Matthew 12:28 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Matthew 12:28. _BUT IF I CAST OUT DEVILS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD_] Perhaps the _Spirit of God_ is here mentioned by way of opposition to the _magical incantations_ of the Jews; for it is well known...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    THEN WAS BROUGHT UNTO HIM ONE POSSESSED WITH A DEVIL - See the notes at Matthew 4:24. The same account, substantially, is found in Mark 3:22, and Luke 11:14....

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    9. THE REJECTION CONSUMMATED AND THE BROKEN RELATIONSHIP. CHAPTER 12 1. The Hungry Disciples and the Accusing Pharisees. (Matthew 12:1 .) 2. The Man with the Withered Hand Healed.(Matthew 12:10 .) 3...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    JESUS-' ANSWER TO THE VERDICT OF THE JERUSALEM SCRIBES, AND THE INTERVENTION OF HIS FAMILY (Mark 3:20 *, Luke 11:14; Luke 11:29; Luke 12:10;...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Then there was brought to him a man possessed by a devil, blind and dumb; and he cured him, so that the dumb man spoke and saw. The crowds were beside themselves with amazement. "Surely, they said, "t...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    CRISIS (Matthew 12:1-50) In Matthew 12:1-50 we read the history of a series of crucial events in the life of Jesus. In every man's life there are decisive moments, times and events on which the whole...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    THE SPIRIT. There is no Art. Greek. _pneuma._ (App-101.). by God's _pneuma,_ put for Divine power. In Luke 11:20 God's "finger" put for the power exercised by it by Figure of speech _Metonymy_ (of Cau...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _is come unto you_ Literally, SURPRISED YOU BY COMING, CAME UPON YOU UNAWARES....

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἘΝ ΠΝΕΎΜΑΤΙ ΘΕΟΥ͂. ἐν δακτύλῳ θεοῦ (Luke). ἜΦΘΑΣΕΝ ἘΦʼ ὙΜΑ͂Σ. ‘Came upon you,’ surprised you; aorist of immediate past. φθάνειν, from its classical force of ‘anticipating,’ or ‘coming before others,’...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    THE CHARGE, ‘HE CASTETH OUT DEVILS BY BEELZEBUB.’ THE ANSWER OF JESUS Mark 3:22-27; Luke 11:15...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    VER 27. "AND IF I BY BEELZEBUB CAST OUT DEVILS, BY WHOM DO YOUR CHILDREN CAST THEM OUT? THEREFORE THEY SHALL BE YOUR JUDGES. 28. BUT IF I CAST OUT DEVILS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _THE WARNING FROM THE SAVIOR MATTHEW 12:22-37:_ After Jesus healed the demon-possessed man the multitude asked, "could this be the Son of David?" (Matthew 12:23) The Pharisees spoke scornfully of the...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    АРА (G686) тогда, вводит вывод, основанный на условии, и подчеркивает результат (BAGD; EDNT). ΈΦΘΑΣΕΝ _aor. ind. act. от_ ΦΘΆΝΩ (G5348) приходить раньше, достигать, наступать (DA; RK, 228-29)....

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS COME UNTO YOU— That is, "You may thereby discover that I am the Messiah, or that king who was promised to the Jews." The miracles of our Lord, and the manner in which he per...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    Section 28 JESUS ANSWERS THE CHARGE OF BEING IN LEAGUE WITH SATAN (Parallel: Mark 3:19-30) TEXT: 12:22-37 22. Then was brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind and dumb: and he healed hi...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. BUT IF I CAST OUT DEVILS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. In Luke (Luke 11:20) it is, "with (or 'by') the finger of God...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    24 It is usual to associate this chief of the demons with the god of Ekron, called Baalzebub, _ Owner _ or _ Lord of Flies _ (2Ki_1:2). This the Septuagint renders _ Baal muian, Baal fly_. But all the...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    PLUCKING CORN ON THE SABBATH. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST 1-8. Plucking the corn on the sabbath (Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1). This chapter begins the period of active conflict with the Pharisees. It is...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE PHARISEES ACCUSE JESUS OF BEING IN LEAGUE WITH BEELZEBUB (Mark 3:22 cp. Luke 11:17; Matthew 9:32). The ridiculous charge of the Pharisees is strong evidence of the genuineness of Christ's miracles...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD] Luke 11:20; 'by the finger of God.' THEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS COME UNTO YOU] This is shown not by the mere fact of Jesus working miracles (the exorcists were supposed to work th...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    MATTHEW’S GOOD NEWS MATTHEW’S *GOSPEL _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 12 QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO USE GOD’S REST DAY 12:1-14 Matthew gives two examples of the ‘*yoke’ of the *Jewish law: 1. The *disciples...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. — In Luke 11:20 we have as an equivalent phrase, “the finger of God.” So in Old Testament language the fulness of the prophet’s inspiration was expressed in the words, “the hand...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    Chapter 10 The Shadow of the Cross - Matthew 11:1; Matthew 12:1 I-DISCOURAGEMENTS. Matthew 11:1 HITHERTO almost everything has been hopeful and encouraging in our Evangelist's record of the Saviour'...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    _Demoniac healed and Pharisaic calumny repelled_ (Mark 3:22-30; Luke 11:14-23 _cf._ Matthew 9:32-34). The healing of a blind and dumb demoniac has its place here not for its own sake, as a miracle, bu...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    _The alternative_ : if not by Satan then by the Spirit of God, with an inevitable inference as to the worker and His work. ἐν πνεύματι θεοῦ. Luke has ἐν δακτύλῳ θ. The former seems more in keeping wit...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    _The theory shown to be absurd_....

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    SLANDER FROM EVIL HEARTS Matthew 12:24-37 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 coul...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This chapter chronicles direct attacks on Christ. The first was petty and foolish. It is on the question of the Sabbath. The Master gives to His people the true conception of the sanctity of the Sabba...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Kingdom of God. Christ either calls himself and his coming the kingdom of God, because it was the beginning of the kingdom of God, and laid open the way to us: or the sense may be, If I, as proved in...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST) Mark 3:20-30; Matthew 12:22-37; & Luke 11:14-23. Mark: “And they come into the house; and again a multitude comes together, so that they are not

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. (25) And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divi...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Chapter 8, which opens the portion that comes before us tonight, is a striking illustration as well as proof of the method which God has been pleased to employ in giving us the apostle Matthew's accou...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    28._But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God. _Luke says,_if I cast out devils by The Finger of God; _employing the word _Finger _metaphorically instead of the _Spirit. _As God works, and exerts...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    At length the rejection of the nation, in consequence of their contempt of the Lord, is plainly shewn, as well as the cessation of all His relations with them as such, in order to bring out on God's p...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    BUT IF I CAST OUT DEVILS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD,.... As it was certain he did, from the nature, use, and design of such miracles; and it could not be reasonably thought, that Satan would assist in what...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Ver. 28. _Then the kingdom of God is come unto you_] A certain sign of the setting up whereof among you, is th...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _And if I by Beelzebub_, &c. This is the second argument made use of by Jesus for confuting the calumny of the Pharisees; _by whom do your children cast them out?_ As if he had said, “For the same rea...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    KINGDOM OF GOD; the reign of the Messiah on earth. IS COME UNTO YOU; has already come upon you....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Christ not only knew of the efforts of the Pharisees to discredit Him, but as He that searches hearts and minds...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Christ takes them to task:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    We have seen that Matthew groups events with a dispensational end in view, and chapter 12 shows a building up on Israel's part to a state of utter rejection of their Messiah. The expression "at that t...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    22-30 A soul under Satan's power, and led captive by him, is blind in the things of God, and dumb at the throne of grace; sees nothing, and says nothing to the purpose. Satan blinds the eyes by unbel...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    Luke hath the same, LUKE 11:20, only for _the Spirit of God_ he hath _the finger of God._ By _the kingdom_ of _God_ he here meaneth the coming of the Messiah, which is so called, DANIEL 2:44. The time...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Matthew 12:28 But G1161 if G1487 I G1473 out G1544 (G5719) demons G1140 by G1722 Spirit G4151 God...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    “But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the Kingly Rule of God come upon you.” So having demonstrated that He (emphatic) cast out demons by the Spirit of God, that has really demonstra...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE HOLY SPIRIT TRIUMPHS OVER THE EVIL SPIRIT WORLD ESTABLISHING THE KINGLY RULE OF GOD FOR ALL WHO WILL HEAR AND RESPOND (12:22-32). Following on this emphasis on the coming of the Servant of YHWH wi...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Jesus announces Himself Lord of Sabbath, Controversy with Pharisees. Healing of the withered hand. A demoniac healed. The unpardonable sin. Death and resurrection foretold. Deficiency of sel...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Matthew 12:2. _Thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath- day._ The pharisees did not find fault with eating a few ears of barley in their hunger, while others enjoyed their fea...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    NO, IT IS GOD'S SPIRIT. This is a sharp confrontation. The power of God's Spirit in Jesus proves he is the Son of David the promised Messiah (Matthew 12:23). THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS ALREADY COME UPON Y...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:28 The KINGDOM OF GOD is begun in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus exercises God’s kingdom power against Satan and his agents (see Ephesians 6:10).

  • The Gospels Compared

    RELIGIOUS LEADERS ACCUSE JESUS OF BEING UNDER SATAN'S POWER MATTHEW 12:24-37; MARK 3:20-30; LUKE 11:15-23; MATTHEW 12:24 But w

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    1-50 CHAPTER XII. _At that time Jesus went through the corn fields_ (Through the crops of corn becoming white, or ripe), &c. Luke adds that this Sabbath was the first from the second (_Vulg_.); which...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Matthew 12:23. IS NOT THIS THE SON OF DAVID?—See “The Parallel New Testament” (1882). The “not” is omitted in both columns. It “was wisely omitted by King James’ translators. It is no...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION MATTHEW 12:1 The opposition that our Lord met with (1) from his enemies (Matthew 12:1); (2) from his relations (Matthew 12:46-4

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn to the twelfth chapter of the gospel of Matthew? Jesus was not one to follow traditions. He's already pointed out in the Sermon on the Mount, that through their interpretation of the law...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Acts 10:38; Colossians 1:13; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:14; Hebrews 12:28;

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Is come unto you [ε φ θ α σ ε ν ε φ υ μ α ς]. The verb is used in the simple sense to arrive at (2 Corinthians 10:14; Philippians 3:16), and sometimes to anticipate (1 Thessalonians 4:15). Here with a...

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Old Testament