Matthew 12:23

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

And {G2532} all {G3956} the people {G3793} were amazed {G1839}, and {G2532} said {G3004}, Is {G2076} not {G3385} this {G3778} the son {G5207} of David {G1138}?

The crowds were astounded and asked, "This couldn't be the Son of David, could it?"

The crowds were astounded and asked, “Could this be the Son of David?”

And all the multitudes were amazed, and said, Can this be the son of David?

Matthew 12:23 KJV captures the profound impact of Jesus' miraculous healing on the common people, leading them to question if He was indeed the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of David.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' powerful miracle of healing a demon-possessed man who was both blind and mute, restoring his sight and speech (Matthew 12:22). The public display of such incredible power, particularly over demonic forces and physical ailments, left the crowds utterly astonished. Their question, "Is not this the son of David?", reflects a spontaneous realization of the messianic implications of Jesus' actions. This moment of popular recognition also sets the stage for the escalating conflict with the religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees, who would soon attribute Jesus' power to demonic influence (Matthew 12:24).

Key Themes

  • Messianic Identity: The core theme is the people's dawning recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. "Son of David" was a widely understood messianic title, connecting Jesus to the prophecies of a king who would restore Israel, stemming from the Davidic covenant.
  • Jesus' Divine Authority: The healing was not just a medical cure but a demonstration of power over spiritual darkness and physical infirmity, underscoring Jesus' unique authority. His miracles served as undeniable signs of the Kingdom of God breaking into the world.
  • Popular Amazement vs. Religious Opposition: The verse highlights the contrast between the common people, who were genuinely amazed and open to Jesus' claims, and the hardened hearts of the religious elite who actively sought to discredit Him.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Son of David" (Greek: huios Dauid) is highly significant. It is not merely a genealogical reference but a profound theological title. In Jewish tradition, the Messiah was prophesied to be a descendant of King David, who would reign on David's throne forever (Isaiah 9:7). By asking this question, the crowd was directly linking Jesus' miraculous power to the fulfillment of these ancient messianic prophecies.

Practical Application

Matthew 12:23 encourages us to consider how we respond to the evidence of God's power and presence in the world. Like the amazed crowd, are we open to recognizing Jesus' true identity and authority, even when it challenges our preconceived notions or the prevailing opinions of others? This verse reminds us that genuine encounters with Christ's power should lead to deeper questions about who He is and a willingness to acknowledge Him as the promised Savior, the King of Israel.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 9:27

    ¶ And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on us.

  • John 4:29

    Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

  • Matthew 22:42

    Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, [The Son] of David.

  • Matthew 22:43

    He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,

  • Matthew 21:9

    And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

  • Matthew 9:33

    And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

  • Matthew 15:30

    And great multitudes came unto him, having with them [those that were] lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

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