SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 12:22-50
Jesus healed a demon-possessed man, and the Pharisees said it is only by Beelzebub, or the devil, that Jesus can drive out demons. Jesus pointed out that why would Satan go against himself by driving out demons he put into people? And the priests drive out demons, too. Are they working for Satan, too? A house divided against itself cannot stand, Jesus says, and whoever is not with him is against him.
God won’t forgive anyone who speaks against or blasphemies the Holy Spirit, calling God’s work evil. A good tree will bear good fruit; a bad tree bears bad fruit. By your words, you will be condemned.
The Pharisees ask Jesus for a miraculous sign, and Jesus calls them wicked for asking. Jesus will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth like Jonah was three days and nights in a fish’s belly.
Jesus’s mother and brothers came to see him. Jesus calls all of his disciples who do the will of the Father his brother, sister, and mother.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 5: Matthew 12:22-50
13a) His power over evil and the devil.
b) You have to subdue the person before you rob him. Jesus overcame Satan first to heal the man. He binded Satan’s power. He is stronger than Satan.
14a) They are not genuine. They are looking to trap Jesus and try to get him to prove himself. Jesus does not have to do that.
b) Jesus will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth like Jonah was three days and nights in a fish’s belly. There will be a sign (Jesus’s death) and a call to repentance.
15) Treat everyone as family.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 5: Matthew 12:22-50
Long passages of Jesus fighting against the Pharisees. The fact of the matter is that the Pharisees want to see Jesus go away, which is why they are plotting to kill him. He is ruffling too many feather and changing the way things have always been done. They want to maintain power here. why Jesus essentially only humors them.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 5: Matthew 12:22-50
Why would Satan cast out Satan? Jesus says the Pharisees are making no sense right now.
Jesus uses the Spirit of God to heal.
He tells the Pharisees since they are not for him, they are by default against him. If the leaders reject Jesus, they are rejecting the Holy Spirit. God will not forgive them, and they will face eternal consequences.
Jesus points out to the Pharisees that they are bearing bad fruit (or are evil) as they condemn him.
“Brood of vipers” is like calling them the “sons of Satan.”
Careless or idle words do nothing for Christ. Our words reflect our hearts, and you can often tell where a person’s heart lies by their heart. That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
The Sign of Jonah
Jesus had already given countless signs; the fact they asked for a sign shows their unbelief.
Jonah was effectively dead in the fish’s belly and then he was given new life. This reflects Jesus’s resurrection. The three days and nights could mean a portion of those days and nights and not the full effect. The Ninevites recognized Jonah; the Queen of Sheba recognized God in Solomon. The Pharisees have failed to recognize Jesus.
Jesus says he is greater than Solomon, a king who is very highly regarded in Jesus’s day.
Jesus will judge the Pharisees moreso than the people of Ninevah as his light is greater.
Evil spirits look for those who are empty of the spirit of Jesus. If you are filled with Jesus, you can never be empty.
True Believers in Christ
Bible scholars believe that Mary and his brothers have arrived to maybe bring Jesus back home and somehow end or curtail his ministry. They are probably worried about him. They do not hold any special privileges. Instead, it’s those who do the will of God who are special.
Jesus sees every believer like his mother, brother, and sister. How cool!