Matthew 12:22

Then. [A Blind and Dumb Demoniac; The Unpardonable Sin, Matt. 12:22-45 = Mark 3:20-30 = Luke 11:14-32. Major comment: Matthew. See Middle Galilean Ministry; The Ministry of Our Lord.] The remainder of this chapter (vs. 22-50) is one of the more difficult passages to locate in the sequence of events in Christ’s ministry. There seem to be good reasons to believe that vs. 22-50 are a record of a single incident and the subsequent controversy that grew out of it: (1) There is apparently little time lapse between the healing of the blind and dumb demoniac and the charge brought by the Pharisees (see v. 24). (2) The demand for a sign was repeated at least twice during Christ’s ministry, and the incident noted here seems to be the first (the second on record occurred at Magdala, as stated in chs. 15:39 to 16:5, probably during the summer of A.D. 30). It should be noted that this request (ch. 12:38) for a sign came in response to Christ’s denial of casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub. (3) The discussion concerning the “unclean spirit” and the “seven other spirits” in vs. 43-45 no doubt followed the teachings of vs. 22-42 without any appreciable interruption, as appears from DA 323. (4) The visit of Christ’s mother and brethren, mentioned in vs. 46-50 came “while he yet talked” (v. 46; cf. DA 325).

According to ch. 13:1 it was the same day on which the instruction of ch. 12:22-50 was given that Christ spoke the parables of the Sermon by the Sea, recorded in ch. 13.

For evidence of the close chronological relationship between chs. 12:22-50 and 13:1-58 see on ch. 13:1. This would place the discussion of ch. 12:22-50 in the autumn of A.D. 29 (see on Matt. 13:1; Mark 3:13).

One possessed. There were at least two instances in which Christ healed a blind and dumb demoniac (see DA 321; ch. 9:32-35). For a study of demon possession, see Additional Note on Mark 1.