What does Matthew 12:22 Mean?

Study Notes

possessed
(Greek - δαιμονίζομαι ," demonized).

Devils

Devils, lit demons. To the reality and personality of demons the N.T. scriptures bear abundant testimony. As to their origin nothing is clearly revealed, but they are not to be confounded with the angels mentioned in 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 .

Summary: Demons are spirits Matthew 12:43 ; Matthew 12:45 are Satan's emissaries; Matthew 12:26 ; Matthew 12:27 ; Matthew 25:41 and so numerous as to make Satan's power practically ubiquitous. Mark 5:9 . They are capable of entering and controlling both men and beasts Mark 5:8 ; Mark 5:11-13 and earnestly seek embodiment, without which, apparently, they are powerless for evil.; Matthew 12:43 ; Matthew 12:44 ; Mark 5:10-12 . Demon influence and demon possession are discriminated in the N. T. Instances of the latter are; Matthew 4:24 ; Matthew 8:16 ; Matthew 8:28 ; Matthew 8:33 ; Matthew 9:32 ; Matthew 12:22 ; Mark 1:32 ; Mark 5:15 ; Mark 5:16 ; Mark 5:18 ; Luke 8:35 ; Acts 8:7 ; Acts 16:16 . They are unclean, sullen, violent, and malicious; Matthew 8:28 ; Matthew 9:23 ; Matthew 10:1 ; Matthew 12:43 ; Mark 1:23 ; Mark 5:3-5 ; Mark 9:17 ; Mark 9:20 ; Luke 6:18 ; Luke 9:39 . They know Jesus Christ as Most High God, and recognize His supreme authority; Matthew 8:31 ; Matthew 8:32 ; Mark 1:24 ; Acts 19:15 ; James 2:19 . They know their eternal fate to be one of torment; Matthew 8:29 ; Luke 8:31 . They inflict physical maladies; Matthew 12:22 ; Matthew 17:15-18 ; Luke 13:16 but mental disease is to be distinguished from the disorder of mind due to demonical control. Demon influence may manifest itself in religion asceticism and formalism 1 Timothy 4:1-3 degenerating into uncleanness 2 Peter 2:10-12 . The sign of demon influence in religion is departing from the faith, i.e. the body of revealed truth in the Scriptures. 1 Timothy 4:1 . The demons maintain especially a conflict with believers who would be spiritual.; Ephesians 6:12 ; 1 Timothy 4:1-3 . All unbelievers are open to demon possession Ephesians 2:2 . The believer's resources, prayer and bodily control Matthew 17:21 "the whole armour of God" Ephesians 6:13-18 . Exorcism in the name of Jesus Christ Acts 16:18 was practised for demon possession. One of the awful features of the apocalyptic judgments in which this age will end is an irruption of demons out the abyss. Revelation 9:1-11 .

Verse Meaning

"Then" (Gr. tote) does not demand a close chronological connection with what precedes (cf. Matthew 2:7; Matthew 11:20). The Greek text describes the man"s afflictions in terms that show that his demon possession produced his blindness and dumbness. The miracle itself did not interest Matthew as much as the confrontation that it produced. [source][source]

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Context Summary

A reed is not of much account. You may see hundreds of them encircling a stagnant pond and bending before the breeze. A bruised reed is still more worthless to the eye of the world. Yet the Master does not despise a bruised or broken reed. No, He bends over it and tries to restore its shape. He makes out of it a reed-organ for music, or the paper manufacturers weave it into paper on which are printed His messages.

Flax does not burn readily. It only smolders. The spark runs feebly up the fibers; and anything like a flame is impossible. Such is our poor love. It sometimes seems but a spark. Yet Jesus does not despise it. So far from quenching it, He breathes on it, places it in the oxygen of His love, and screens it from the wind that would extinguish it.

How gentle, quiet and unobtrusive is our Master's behavior! He is so frugal of His resources, so careful that nothing be wasted, so eager to make the most of us. And it is out of such materials that He makes His ever-victorious army. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 12

¹  Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,
³  by scripture,
⁹  by reason,
¹³  and by a miracle
²²  He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;
²⁴  and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub,
³²  he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven
³⁶  Account shall be made of idle words
³⁸  He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,
⁴⁶  and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother