Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 12:23

"And all the multitudes were amazed, and said, Can this be the son of David?" — Matthew 12:23 (ASV)

Again and again, we have noticed their astonishment, and here a question was asked that may have been an early sign of faith awakening in many. Our Revised Version very properly leaves out the “not.” It was natural for the translators to include it, because it seems as if many must have seen the true Solomon in this great Wonderworker. But since it is not in the original, we must not allow the “not”; consequently, the question reveals how strangely unbelieving they were, and yet how some conviction was forcing itself upon them.

“Is He? He cannot be. He must be, but is He? Is this the Son of David?” There were various voices, yet the people were united in their wonderment; all the people were amazed!