12:14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, as to how they could assassinate him.
After Jesus learned about that, He stayed away from them v.15. Then when Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute the Pharisees commented that Jesus casts out demons by the power of the ruler of demons (Beelzebul) v.24.
NET "Jesus here demonstrated the absurdity of the thinking of the religious leaders who maintained that he was in league with Satan and that he actually derived his power from the devil. He first teaches (vv. 25–28) that if he casts out demons by the ruler of the demons, then in reality Satan is fighting against himself, with the result that his kingdom has come to an end. He then teaches (v. 29) about tying up the strong man to prove that he does not need to align himself with the devil because he is more powerful. Jesus defeated Satan at his temptation (4:1–11) and by his exorcisms he clearly demonstrated himself to be stronger than the devil. The passage reveals the desperate condition of the religious leaders, who in their hatred for Jesus end up attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan (a position for which they will be held accountable, 12:31–32)."
Note, that was the 2nd time they made this comment (1st time in 9:34). That means, they were serious and they planned to kill Jesus.
This is the watershed moment.
From v.30,
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters
NET, "The call here is to join the victor. Failure to do so means that one is being destructive. Responding to Jesus is the issue." Morris, "The imagery is apparently taken from tending flocks. Animals tend to scatter, and if any given person takes no part in gathering the scattered members he in effect scatters them; by doing nothing he casts his vote in favor of scattering."
NET, "The call here is to join the victor. Failure to do so means that one is being destructive. Responding to Jesus is the issue." Morris, "The imagery is apparently taken from tending flocks. Animals tend to scatter, and if any given person takes no part in gathering the scattered members he in effect scatters them; by doing nothing he casts his vote in favor of scattering."
The understanding of v.30 is important, because v.31 starts with "for this reason,"
12:31 For this reason I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 12:32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
NET, " This passage has troubled many people, who have wondered whether or not they have committed this sin. Three things must be kept in mind: (1) the nature of the sin is to ascribe what is the obvious work of the Holy Spirit (e.g., releasing people from Satan’s power) to Satan himself; (2) it is not simply a momentary doubt or sinful attitude, but is indeed a settled condition which opposes the Spirit’s work, as typified by the religious leaders who opposed Jesus; and (3) a person who is concerned about it has probably never committed this sin, for those who commit it here (i.e., the religious leaders) are not in the least concerned about Jesus’ warning."
NET, " This passage has troubled many people, who have wondered whether or not they have committed this sin. Three things must be kept in mind: (1) the nature of the sin is to ascribe what is the obvious work of the Holy Spirit (e.g., releasing people from Satan’s power) to Satan himself; (2) it is not simply a momentary doubt or sinful attitude, but is indeed a settled condition which opposes the Spirit’s work, as typified by the religious leaders who opposed Jesus; and (3) a person who is concerned about it has probably never committed this sin, for those who commit it here (i.e., the religious leaders) are not in the least concerned about Jesus’ warning."
Summary: The Pharisees had accused Jesus twice of casting out demons by the power of the ruler of demons. They ascribed the work of the Holy Spirit to be the work of the demons. Jesus called the people to join the Him because there is no middle ground in this war. Their blasphemy will not be forgiven. Starting from Matthew 13 Jesus would taught with parables which are difficult to understand like riddle. Jesus said He purposed used parables to teach the people so that they would not understand and that was their judgment. Therefore, chapter 12 is the watershed moment.
Reflection: I thank God for we know that Jesus has the power to cast out the demons because He is God. Not everyone would acknowledged that. The Pharisees saw all the miracles and did not believe. Seeing miracles did not guarantee people would be saved. People's hearts need to accept them. Even we are believers, our hearts need to "tone-in," to accept what God has done around us.
Audrey
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