But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's so striking here is that the Pharisees don't deny that Jesus is casting out demons. They simply reinterpret the source of his power, accusing him of being in league with the very evil he's defeating. It's a chilling example of how stubborn opposition can twist undeniable good into something sinister, refusing to see God's hand even when it's plainly at work.
But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Immediately following Jesus’ healing of a mute man possessed by a demon, the crowds marvel at this unprecedented display of power in Israel. However, instead of joining the people's awe, the Pharisees, driven by envy and hardened hearts, twist the miracle into an accusation. They attribute Jesus’ divine power over demons to a pact with Satan himself, showing their willful opposition to the clear evidence before them.
Jesus performed incredible miracles, yet some people refused to see God at work. How can we avoid this spiritual blindness?
The Pharisees witnessed Jesus casting out demons and healing the sick. The crowds were amazed, saying, "Nothing like this was ever seen in Israel" (Matthew 9:33). The evidence of God's power was undeniable. However, instead of celebrating God's work, the Pharisees twisted the truth. They couldn't deny that a miracle happened, but they refused to attribute it to God. Instead, they accused Jesus of working through the devil. This reveals a deliberate hardening of their hearts against God's clear actions, choosing opposition over acknowledgment.
Why would anyone accuse the one doing good of being in league with evil? Let's uncover the motivations behind such slander.
The Pharisees' accusation wasn't just a misunderstanding; it was a calculated attack born out of malice and envy. They saw Jesus gaining popularity and authority, challenging their own religious standing. Instead of repenting and following Jesus, they chose to demonize him. Attributing Jesus' divine power to the "prince of demons" was their way of discrediting him and turning people away. This reveals that sometimes, opposition to God's work isn't about logic, but about a deep-seated resistance to His will and authority, often fueled by pride and a desire to maintain control.
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Pharisaios · Greek Noun
A Jewish religious sect known for their strict adherence to the oral and written Law; in the Gospels, they frequently appear as antagonists who oppose Jesus' ministry and authority.
daimonion · Greek Noun
An evil, malevolent spiritual being opposed to God; they are agents of spiritual darkness who seek to harm, deceive, and enslave humanity under the influence of Satan.
archōn · Greek Noun
A title for the leader or ruler of the demonic realm; in this context, the Pharisees use it to attribute Jesus' authority to Satan (Beelzebul).
The Pharisees' accusation reveals their hardened hearts and willful opposition, choosing to attribute clear evidence of God's power to the devil rather than acknowledge Jesus' divine authority.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry Gains Popularity
Jesus begins a public ministry of teaching, healing, and casting out demons, drawing large crowds and gaining a reputation across Galilee.
Early 1st century AD
Pharisaic Opposition Emerges
The Pharisees, a prominent religious sect, begin to observe Jesus' ministry closely, often challenging his teachings and practices.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Heals a Dumb Demoniac
Jesus casts out a demon from a man who was both mute and demon-possessed. The crowds are astonished, marveling that such a thing had never been seen in Israel.
Early 1st century AD
Pharisees Accuse Jesus of Demonic Power
In response to the crowd's amazement, the Pharisees dismiss the miracle and accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan, the prince of demons.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Addresses the Accusation
Jesus later confronts this accusation directly, explaining that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand and that his power comes from God.
This passage is a direct parallel, where the Pharisees repeat the same accusation of Jesus working through demonic power, providing a fuller context for this earlier accusation.
Luke 11:15Luke records the same event and accusation, showing that this specific slander against Jesus was a recurring theme from His opponents.
John 9:40-41Jesus directly confronts the Pharisees about their spiritual blindness, implying that their accusations stem from an unwillingness to see the truth of His divine power.
Acts 26:10-11Paul recounts his own persecution of believers, showing a pattern of religious leaders opposing God's work with accusations that they believe are righteous, mirroring the Pharisees' mindset.
barnesMatthew 9:34: "But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils."
But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils - That is, Beelzebub. See the notes at Matthew 12:24 . They did not deny the reality of the miracle or the facts in the case, but they ascribed what was done to the power of the great leader of the fallen host, as if Jesus were in league with him. For the manner in which the Saviour met that reasoning, see the notes at Mat…
pulpitMatthew 9:34: "But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils."
Verse 34. - But the Pharisees said (vide supra). If the verse be genuine here, the thought, of course, is that the only effect of Christ's miracles upon the Pharisees was to drive them to open blasphemy and wanton opposition to the evidence of plain facts, as is brought out at length in Matthew 12:24-32. He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils; by the prince of the devils casteth he ou…
What's so striking here is that the Pharisees don't deny that Jesus is casting out demons. They simply reinterpret the source of his power, accusing him of being in league with the very evil he's defeating. It's a chilling example of how stubborn opposition can twist undeniable good into something sinister, refusing to see God's hand even when it's plainly at work.
Immediately following Jesus’ healing of a mute man possessed by a demon, the crowds marvel at this unprecedented display of power in Israel. However, instead of joining the people's awe, the Pharisees, driven by envy and hardened hearts, twist the miracle into an accusation. They attribute Jesus’ divine power over demons to a pact with Satan himself, showing their willful opposition to the clear evidence before them.
Immediately following Jesus’ healing of a mute man possessed by a demon, the crowds marvel at this unprecedented display of power in Israel. However, instead of joining the people's awe, the Pharisees, driven by envy and hardened hearts, twist the miracle into an accusation. They attribute Jesus’ divine power over demons to a pact with Satan himself, showing their willful opposition to the clear evidence before them.
"But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”" — What's so striking here is that the Pharisees don't deny that Jesus is casting out demons. They simply reinterpret the source of his power, accusing him of being in league with the very evil he's d…
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Last reviewed October 2026