Big Idea: Although Jesus is accused of healing by Satan’s power, Matthew shows him to be enacting the kingdom by God’s Spirit and so warns of judgment upon those who fail to accept Jesus’ identity and respond in obedience.

Understanding the Text

The controversy between Jesus and Galilean Pharisees intensifies in this passage. The Jewish leaders again accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the prince of demons (12:24; cf. 9:34). Jesus addresses their accusation with a set of analogies, claiming in the process to be the one who, led by the Spirit, is bringing God’s kingdom (12:28; cf. 4:17; 10:7). Jesus’ references to the Holy Spirit in Matthew cluster here (12:18, 28, 31, 32), indicating that Matthew ties the Spirit’s work to the inauguration of God’s kingdom in the person of Jesus (connec…