Matthew 9:34

But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

But {G1161} the Pharisees {G5330} said {G3004}, He casteth out {G1544} devils {G1140} through {G1722} the prince {G758} of the devils {G1140}.

But the P'rushim said, "It is through the ruler of the demons that he expels demons."

But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that He drives out demons.”

But the Pharisees said, By the prince of the demons casteth he out demons.

Commentary

Matthew 9:34 presents a stark contrast between the public's amazement at Jesus' miraculous power and the entrenched opposition from the religious authorities. This verse highlights the Pharisees' hardened hearts and their refusal to acknowledge the divine source of Jesus' authority.

Context

This verse immediately follows a powerful demonstration of Jesus' healing power. In Matthew 9:32-33, Jesus encounters a man who is dumb and possessed by a devil. He casts out the demon, and the man immediately speaks, astonishing the crowds who exclaimed, "It was never so seen in Israel!" This miracle was undeniable evidence of divine power at work.

Key Themes

  • Opposition to Jesus' Authority: Instead of rejoicing at the healing or questioning their own beliefs, the Pharisees immediately resort to a severe accusation. Their statement, "He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils," reveals their deep-seated animosity and their desperate attempt to discredit Jesus' ministry. They could not deny the miracle itself, so they attacked its source.
  • Spiritual Blindness and Prejudice: The Pharisees' refusal to see God's work in Jesus' miracles is a tragic example of spiritual blindness. Their prejudice against Jesus, stemming from jealousy and a rigid interpretation of the law, prevented them from recognizing the Messiah. This accusation is later elaborated upon by Jesus in Matthew 12:24-32, where He warns against blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
  • The Nature of Spiritual Warfare: This verse underscores the reality of the spiritual conflict at play. Jesus was directly confronting the forces of evil, and the enemy, through human agents like the Pharisees, sought to undermine His work by twisting the truth and attributing divine power to demonic influence.

Linguistic Insights

The term "devils" in the KJV translates the Greek word daimonia (δαιμόνια), referring to evil spirits or demons. The "prince of the devils" is a direct reference to Satan, often identified as Beelzebub in parallel passages (Mark 3:22, Luke 11:15). This accusation is particularly grave, suggesting that Jesus was an agent of evil rather than the Son of God.

Practical Application

Matthew 9:34 serves as a powerful reminder of how prejudice and hardened hearts can prevent individuals from recognizing and accepting divine truth. It challenges us to examine our own biases and ensure we are open to God's work, even when it appears in unexpected ways. The Pharisees' reaction illustrates the danger of allowing preconceived notions or jealousy to cloud our judgment, leading to false accusations and a rejection of what is clearly of God. It encourages believers to discern spiritual realities and stand firm against those who would misrepresent the work of Christ, understanding that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 11:15 (12 votes)

    But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

  • Mark 3:22 (10 votes)

    ¶ And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

  • Matthew 12:23 (8 votes)

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

  • Matthew 12:24 (8 votes)

    But when the Pharisees heard [it], they said, This [fellow] doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

  • John 3:20 (5 votes)

    For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.