In Matthew 12:33–37 Jesus exposes the motives of those opposing him and shows that the Pharisees blaspheme the Spirit by attributing God’s work to the devil because their words flow from the state of their hearts. Your speech reveals the good, or the unbelieving, fruit of your heart, which is why God’s judgment will be rendered according to the words people have spoken.
Matthew 12:38–45 clarifies Matthew 12:33–37, showing how Israel turns away and is rejected, while Christ continues his work. As well, the announcement of judgment is confirmed on new grounds (see Matthew 11:20). The continuing power of satanic delusion makes the judgment more certain. While only the grace of God can counter satanic influences, that is not the point here. Jesus’ intent is to show the devil’s power, to which the Pharisees also are subject.
Jesus’ teaching about belonging to his family (Matthew 12:46–50) concludes his account of the healing of a demon-possessed man and the discussions following that miracle. In contrast to the Pharisees’ scattering,
Jesus speaks of gathering a new family of God, but only through himself. Because of his mission, Jesus must give up even the bond with his earthly kin. Already in Luke 2:49 Mary heard that she could not exercise ordinary maternal rights over him, and John 2:4 says something similar. Only while on the cross could Jesus make provision for his mother (John 19:26–27). Since even his closest relatives could not hold him back from his work, this made room for a spiritual kinship in which anyone who does the will of the Father may share. The absence of Joseph in this and other accounts suggests that he had already died. This must have been painful for Mary: the sword that Simeon had foretold would pierce her soul (Luke 2:35). Yet she could only find comfort in Jesus’ unwavering devotion to his work, even in placing his disciples above her. God wants us to become Jesus’ disciples. The Pharisees not only refused this call but even tried to hinder the crowds when they wondered whether Jesus was the Son of David (Matthew 12:23–24). While Jesus’ response began on a negative note: Keep away from the servant of Beelzebul,
he ends positively in Matthew 12:50: Those who acknowledge me are God’s family.
In Matthew 12:33–37 Jesus exposes the true motives underlying the opposition against him and the reasons why the Pharisees blaspheme the Spirit by attributing God’s work to the devil. He shows how their outward words flow directly from the inward disposition of their hearts. One’s speech always reveals your true nature, which is why God’s judgment will be rendered according to the words people have spoken—whether these words constitute the good fruit of a renewed heart, or the evil outpouring of unbelief.1
Matthew 12:38–45 then serves as a clarification and confirmation of Matthew 12:33–37. It shows all the more clearly that Israel turns away and is rejected, while Christ continues his work in his own way. At the same time, the announcement of judgment is confirmed again, now on new grounds (see Matthew 11:20). The power of delusion continues to operate, and thereby the certainty of judgment is all the more assured. Of course, it is entirely true that only the grace of God can deliver anyone from, and keep him safe against, satanic influences. Yet that truth does not come to the forefront here. The intention here is to display the power of the devil’s work—something to which the Pharisees themselves contributed—and, in connection with it, the certainty of judgment.2
The evangelist includes Jesus’ instruction regarding belonging to the family of Jesus (Matthew 12:46–50) here to conclude his account of the healing of a demon-possessed man and the discussions that followed that miracle. In contrast to the scattering brought about by the Pharisees, Jesus here presents an image of gathering a new family of God through himself. He highlights, however, that only those who are with him truly belong to the people that God gathers.3
Here in Matthew 12:46–50 we learn that, for the sake of his mission, Jesus must give up everything—even the bond and care of his earthly family. Already in Luke 2:49 Mary had to hear that she could not exercise ordinary maternal rights over him, and John 2:4 also conveys something similar. Only once Jesus had completed his task even unto death could he make provision for his mother (John 19:26–27). Because even his closest relatives were not permitted to hold him back from his work, room was created for a new kinship founded upon that work—a spiritual kinship in which anyone who does the will of the Father may share. The absence of Joseph in this and other accounts suggests that he had already died. Naturally, this incident must have been painful for Mary; here she experienced the sword that Simeon had foretold would pierce her soul (Luke 2:35). Yet for her too, comfort was found only in Jesus’ unwavering devotion to his work. The glory of the disciples shines forth in the fact that they are placed even above Mary herself.4
God wants us to become disciples of Jesus. The Pharisees not only refused to do this but even tried to hinder the crowds when they began to wonder whether Jesus might be the Son of David (Matthew 12:23–24). However, whereas the discussion had begun on a negative note: Keep away from the servant of Beelzebul,
Jesus concludes on a positive one in Matthew 12:50: Those who acknowledge me are God’s family.
5
33 Ou dites que l'arbre est bon et que son fruit est bon, ou dites que l'arbre est mauvais et que son fruit est mauvais; car on connaît l'arbre par le fruit.