But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Pharisees’ accusation isn't just about denying Jesus’ power; it’s a calculated move to invalidate the very presence of God’s kingdom. By attributing His miracles to the "prince of demons," they tried to make people believe that God's power was actually Satan's, a twisted logic designed to preserve their own authority and reject Jesus' divine mission.
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, Jesus had healed a man who was demon-possessed, blind, and mute, causing the crowds to marvel and question if Jesus might be the Messiah. Envious and determined to discredit Him, the Pharisees, upon hearing this, immediately accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. This accusation was a desperate attempt to explain away the undeniable miracle and prevent the people from believing in Jesus, even though it implied a division within the demonic realm itself.
When faced with undeniable truth, people will sometimes resort to desperate, even illogical, accusations. What drives such a reaction?
The Pharisees were in a tough spot. Jesus was performing miracles, and the crowds were starting to believe He was the Messiah. This threatened the Pharisees' authority and influence.
They couldn't deny the power Jesus displayed – it was too obvious. So, to explain away the miracles and discredit Jesus, they made a wild accusation: "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons."
This was a calculated move. By attributing Jesus' power to the devil, they tried to achieve two things:
Why 'Beelzebul'? What did this name signify to the people of Jesus' time, and why was it such a potent accusation?
The name 'Beelzebul' was a deeply insulting term for the leader of demons. While the exact origin is debated, it likely stemmed from a variation of a Philistine god's name, turned into a slur.
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Jewish tradition had the concept of a chief demon, an 'ruler of the devils,' who commanded the others. By calling Jesus' power 'Beelzebul,' the Pharisees were not just saying demons were involved; they were directly accusing Jesus of being in league with the very forces of evil, the ultimate enemy.
This was a deliberate blasphemy. They couldn't acknowledge the Holy Spirit's power in Jesus, so they twisted it into its opposite, the most vile and contemptible source they could imagine. It was a desperate attempt to associate Jesus with everything impure and wicked.
Jesus responds with a strong warning about this specific accusation. What makes this kind of blasphemy so uniquely serious?
Jesus' response is sharp and direct: He explains that attributing His miracles, done by the Spirit of God, to demonic power is a unique and dangerous sin.
Think of it this way:
This isn't about a slip of the tongue or an honest mistake. It's about seeing the unmistakable work of God and choosing to label it as the work of Satan. This hardened opposition, this willful slander against the divine power, leaves no room for repentance toward that specific act, because it fundamentally rejects the very source of forgiveness itself – the Holy Spirit.
Understand the original words
Beelzeboul · Greek Proper Noun
A name used for Satan, the ruler of the demonic realm; it reflects the deep hostility of religious leaders who attributed Jesus' divine power to the source of evil.
Pharisaios · Greek Noun
A religious sect in first-century Judaism known for their strict adherence to the Law; they often opposed Jesus’ ministry due to differing interpretations of tradition and Sabbath observance.
c. 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry Gains Momentum
Jesus' healing miracles, teachings, and growing crowds of followers caused significant stir among religious leaders.
c. 1st century AD
Pharisees Conspire Against Jesus
Religious leaders, particularly Pharisees, felt threatened by Jesus' popularity and challenged his authority, seeking to discredit him.
c. 1st century AD
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man
Jesus casts out a demon from a man who was blind and mute, a powerful display of divine authority.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Pharisees Accuse Jesus of Demonic Power
Upon hearing of Jesus' miracle, the Pharisees, unwilling to acknowledge God's power through Him, falsely accused Him of using demonic assistance.
c. 1st century AD
Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees
Jesus exposes the illogical nature of their accusation, warning them of the severe consequences of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.
This passage describes the same accusation made by the scribes, highlighting their malicious intent and the blasphemous nature of attributing Christ's power to Satan.
Luke 11:15Luke's account offers a similar narrative of the accusation, emphasizing the crowd's reaction and Jesus's reasoned response to their slander.
Matthew 9:34This earlier instance shows the same calumny being whispered by the Pharisees, demonstrating their consistent and persistent opposition to Jesus despite His miracles.
Isaiah 5:20This Old Testament passage speaks of those who call evil good and good evil, directly paralleling the Pharisees' perverse labeling of Jesus's divine works as demonic.
1 Corinthians 10:20Paul warns against associating with demons, connecting the ancient idolatrous practices mentioned here with the demonic realm the Pharisees were invoking.
barnesMatthew 12:24: "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils."
But when the Pharisees heard it ... - It was necessary for the Pharisees, who had determined to reject Jesus of Nazareth, to account in "some" way for the miracles he had performed. Here was a manifest miracle, an exertion of power unquestionably superior to what people could put forth. The common people were fast drawing the proper inference from it, and…
gillMatthew 12:24: "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils."
But when the Pharisees heard it,.... Very probably not the same that went out, and held a council against Christ to destroy him, Matthew 12:14 but others that were come from Judea and Jerusalem, and were with him in the house, and saw the miracle: these, when they heard what the people said, and how ready they were to believe, and own Jesus to be the Mess…
The Pharisees’ accusation isn't just about denying Jesus’ power; it’s a calculated move to invalidate the very presence of God’s kingdom. By attributing His miracles to the "prince of demons," they tried to make people believe that God's power was actually Satan's, a twisted logic designed to preserve their own authority and reject Jesus' divine mission.
Just before this, Jesus had healed a man who was demon-possessed, blind, and mute, causing the crowds to marvel and question if Jesus might be the Messiah. Envious and determined to discredit Him, the Pharisees, upon hearing this, immediately accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. This accusation was a desperate attempt to explain away the undeniable miracle and prevent the people from believing in Jesus, even though it implied a division within the demonic realm itself.
Just before this, Jesus had healed a man who was demon-possessed, blind, and mute, causing the crowds to marvel and question if Jesus might be the Messiah. Envious and determined to discredit Him, the Pharisees, upon hearing this, immediately accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. This accusation was a desperate attempt to explain away the undeniable miracle and prevent the people from believing in Jesus, even though it implied a division within the demonic realm itself.
"But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”" — The Pharisees’ accusation isn't just about denying Jesus’ power; it’s a calculated move to invalidate the very presence of God’s kingdom. By attributing His miracles to the "prince of demons," they t…
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Last reviewed October 2026