Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 9:33

"And when the demon was cast out, the dumb man spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel." — Matthew 9:33 (ASV)

And the multitudes marveled, saying, It was never before seen in Israel. (Matthew 9:33)

Christ had performed such miracles as the multitudes had never before seen, and they might well marvel.

And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: –

There is nothing like going at once to the root of the matter.

Christ did not heal the dumb man, and leave the devil in him, but he first cast the devil out, and then the dumb spake. And this is his way of saving men. He renews them by his Spirit, he casts the devil out, and then their despair goes, their prayerlessness disappears, their love of vice is killed. All evil is expelled when once the root of the evil is pulled up. When the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: –

Our Lord does not deal with the symptoms, but with the source of the disorder, even with the evil spirit. “The devil was cast out,” and it is mentioned as if that were a matter of course when Jesus came on the scene. The devil had silenced the man and so, when the evil one was gone, “the dumb spake.” How we should like to know what he said! Whatever he said, it matters not. The wonder was that he could say anything.

The people confessed that this was a wonder quite unprecedented and in this they only said the truth, “It was never so seen in Israel.” Jesus is great at surprises. He has novelties of gracious power. The people were quick to express their admiration, yet we see very little trace of their believing in our Lord’s mission. It is a small thing to marvel, but a great thing to believe.

O Lord, give the people around us to see such revivals and conversions, as they have never known before!

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

Our Lord does not deal with the symptoms, but with the source of the disorder, even with the evil spirit. The devil was cast out; and it is mentioned as if that were a matter of course when Jesus came on the scene. The devil had silenced the man, and so, when the evil one was gone, the dumb spake. How we should like to know what he said! Whatever he said it matters not; the wonder was that he could say anything.

The people confessed that this was a wonder quite unprecedented; and in this they only said the truth: It was never so seen in Israel. Jesus is great at surprises: he has novelties of gracious power. The people were quick to express their admiration, yet we see very little trace of their believing in our Lord's mission. It is a small thing to marvel, but a great thing to believe. O Lord, give the people around us to see such revivals and conversions, as they have never known before!

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

No; but Jesus does wonders. Something uncommon, and altogether out of the ordinary way, his work of grace must be.