ACC ~ Matthew 12 v23 - 24

THE PEOPLE WERE AMAZED

ANONYMOUS: How precise he was in saying “they were stunned,” because they did not yet know who Jesus was. No one can really judge another’s work unless one understands the character of the one who is performing the work. For example, if a student of some master creates a great work, we marvel because the student who was appointed such a task by him could accomplish it. But if the master himself has done it, we are not very amazed. For what is the great accomplishment, that a highly trained master created a great work? So also whatever deed God has done, it is less than his ability. For that reason, when the Son of God does a miracle, it must call forth faith, not astonishment. Do you want to know why they did not recognize him and so were astounded? Hear what they say: “Can this be the Son of David?” If they had recognized him rightly, they would never have merely said, “This is the Son of David.” They would have said, “This is the Son of God.”

When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man does not cast out demons except by the power of Beelzebub, prince of demons.” Let us look at this. Did the Pharisees say this, or did they think it? The reason for the question comes from the Gospel writer since he does say, “When the Pharisees heard this, they spoke.” In the next passage, however, the following is said: “Jesus, knowing their thoughts”—and he did not say, hearing their words. So who knew what? Perhaps some spoke out loud, but they spoke from evil thoughts. For people frequently say what is not true about someone, but they do not speak with an evil intent to disparage him. Instead, they speak not knowing the truth of the matter. The Pharisees, however, who were not ignorant of the truth of the matter, spoke lies about Christ with the evil intent to turn people from their faith in Christ by means of their disparaging talk. They saw that the crowd was stunned and was saying, “Isn’t this the Son of David?” These were the words of the people who were coming to faith. So the Pharisees, who were roused to jealousy, attempted to prevent people from believing in Jesus after seeing his miracle by saying, “Why are you moved by great astonishment? Why do you speak unnecessarily, and ask whether he is the Son of David? We recognize clearly that this man does not cast out demons except through Beelzebub, prince of demons.” They said this, not ignorant of the truth of the matter. They very well knew that the power of Satan does not work a miracle of this kind. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 29. [1]

[1] PG 56:781.