Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 12:24

"But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons." — Matthew 12:24 (ASV)

The astonishment of the crowd prompted the question (v.23). Its form in Greek suggests the crowds were none too sure: “This couldn’t be the Son of David [i.e., the Messiah], could it?” The Messiah was expected to perform miracles (cf. v.38), so the exorcism-healing stood in Jesus’ favor. But perhaps his reticence, his nonregal sayings, and his servant ministry engendered doubt. On “Beelzebub” (v.24), see comment on 10:25.