ACC ~ Matthew 12 v29

CHRIST PREVAILS OVER SATAN

CHRYSOSTOM: See how the reverse is confirmed contrary to what his adversaries were trying to establish. They wanted to show that it was not by his own power that Jesus cast out demons. But he instead proved that he held in bondage with all authority not only the demonic powers but even their foremost leader. Christ prevails over Satan by his own power, and thus over the demonic forces. This is evident from the events reported. Satan is the prince of demons and they only subjects. If so, how could they have been plundered unless he were first overcome and made to bow down?

And here Jesus’ saying seems to me to encompass a prophecy. For not only, I suppose, are the evil spirits the possessions of the devil but also the human beings that are doing Satan’s works. Therefore he intends not only to cast out devils but also to drive away error from the world. He is putting down all sorceries and making the devil’s arts useless. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 41.3. [1]

[1] PG 57:448; NPNF 1 10:266**. The demonic powers could not have been overcome unless their leader, the strong man, Satan, were first bound up. This Christ did.

ENTERING THE STRONG MAN’S HOUSE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He calls the devil strong, not as though he were so by his created nature but as signifying his tyranny over us, which he has obtained through our own indolence. The Son says, in effect, “I will despoil him, not by allowing him to have human beings as worshipers but by changing their belief so that they might come to acknowledge God. In that case, how then could he become my ally? For is he fighting against himself.” FRAGMENT 155. [1]

[1] MKGK 202.

PLUNDERING THE DEVIL’S HOUSE

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Jesus here compares the earth with a house and human beings with vessels or possessions. Human beings have become possessions of demons and of the devil, having by evil means been brought under his authority. Thus it was impossible for the demons’ own possessions to be taken away unless the demons were first weakened and bound with chains. FRAGMENT 68. [1]

[1] MKGK 119.