The confrontations in this pericope stress the issues of what power truly moves Jesus—the Spirit of God or Beelzebul—as well as who is actually gathering Israel: the Pharisees, warning the people against Jesus, or the Saviour, calling them to do the will of his Father. See Matthew 12:27, Matthew 12:30,Matthew 12:34, Matthew 12:39, Matthew 12:45, Matthew 12:50.
Matthew 12:22–30 shows Satan’s hostility against Jesus coming to light, trying one strategy after another (Matthew 8:23–34). Even Jesus delivering those Satan had possessed is called diabolical. The world joins Satan’s opposition, but Jesus, by nature, stands on the other side (1 John 3:8). This passage shows world history as the great struggle between God’s kingdom and the devil’s kingdom. Jesus is victorious, and will soon also obtain the final victory (1 Corinthians 15:24).
Therefore, whoever chooses Jesus’ side (Matthew 12:30) follows the true Conqueror (1 John 4:4), even when Satan seems stronger. Jesus condemns his opponents and calls people to himself. The intensity of the opposition connects to the nature of God’s kingdom, for when Jesus fights for the kingdom, he shows that all should acknowledge that God remains King. That proclamation (Matthew 12:23, Matthew 12:28) led to the fierce resistance of the devil’s kingdom—disrupted by Jesus.
The recurring theme in the confrontational speeches contained in this pericope is the question of what power truly moves Jesus: the Spirit of God or Beelzebul. Closely tied to this is the issue of who is actually gathering together Israel. Is it the Pharisees, who warn the people against Jesus, or is it the Saviour, who calls them to do the will of his Father? See Matthew 12:27, Matthew 12:30, Matthew 12:34, Matthew 12:39, Matthew 12:45,Matthew 12:50.1
In Matthew 12:22–30 we see here how the organized resistance of Satan against Jesus is coming to light. If one strategy fails, he attempts another (cf. Matthew 8:23–34). When Jesus delivers those he had possessed, this very act is explained away as being diabolical in nature. The whole world by nature stands on the side of this organized opposition of the ruler of this world, but Jesus by nature stands on the other side (1 John 3:8). World history as such is essentially one great struggle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil, and this is clearly shown in this moment of conflict described in this passage. Jesus emerges victorious, and he will soon also obtain the final victory (1 Corinthians 15:24).
Therefore, whoever chooses the side of Jesus (Matthew 12:30) chooses the side of the true Conqueror (1 John 4:4), even though for the time being Satan may appear to be the stronger power. In this way Jesus condemns the opponents and calls people to himself. That the opposition here was so intense is connected with the very nature of the kingdom of God. For when Jesus fights for the kingdom, he intends to show, in particular, that all should acknowledge that God was and always remains King. Here it was precisely such an acknowledgement (Matthew 12:23, Matthew 12:28) which led to the fierce resistance of the kingdom of the devil. Jesus disrupts that resistance.2
22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.