Matthew 12:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Redeemer, while challenging the Pharisees who opposed Him, consistently provides not just one but multiple pieces of evidence to fully counter their boldness. In the debate regarding the Sabbath, He references David, the priests, and the witness of Scripture: I desire mercy, not sacrifice (Hos. 6:6), as well as the intent behind the Sabbath’s creation: the Sabbath was made for man's benefit (Mark 2:27). He employs a similar approach here as well. Following His initial rebuttal, He presents yet another, more straightforward argument. If I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whose power do your sons cast them out? (v. 27). Observe how gently He addresses them.

But what about your children, specifically my followers? By what authority do they perform exorcisms? Do they do so through the power of Beelzebub as well? If their works are by divine authority, how much greater must my works be, since they perform wonders in my name? Therefore, their actions will stand as a witness against you, because despite witnessing their miracles in my name, you persist in maligning me.

In this context, the term "sons" may refer either to the exorcists of this people at large or to the apostles who originated from the Jewish lineage. If He is referring to the exorcists who remove demons by invoking God's name, His insightful inquiry prompts them to acknowledge that such actions are the work of the Holy Spirit. He states, "if in your sons the expulsion of demons is not ascribed to demons but to God, then why is it that in Me the same action is not the result of the same Source?" Thus, they themselves will serve as your judges—not due to any authority to condemn you, but through comparison: while they attribute the expulsion of demons to God, you attribute it to Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Furthermore, should this refer to the apostles—which is our primary focus here—they will also stand in judgment over you, for they will sit on twelve thrones to govern the twelve tribes of Israel.

Following His initial defense against the charges leveled at Him, He addresses a second, more direct accusation. His disciples had previously driven out demons, empowered by Him, and in response, He chastised the Pharisees even more harshly, who, motivated by jealousy, laid blame solely on Him while ignoring the actions of the disciples. He referred to the Apostles as the sons of the Pharisees, as the Pharisees adhered to the traditional laws held by the Jewish people, from whom the Apostles were descended, or because of their younger status as Pharisees. He posed the question: by what authority do they cast out demons? Is it not through the influence of Beelzebub as well? Yet, why do you not denounce them?

The Lord addresses the apostles as sons, stemming from their shared bond, and later commissions them to proclaim His message, empowering them to expel unclean spirits (Matt. 10:8). They, filled with faith, proclaimed, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name’ (Luke 10:17). Thus, inquire of your sons by what name they cast out demons. If they do so in my name, declaring, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of him,’ then it bears witness to the truth, for I do not expel demons in the name of Beelzebub. For if someone were to drive out demons in Beelzebub's name, his stature could not be so esteemed or formidable that, through his name, others would deliver from demons. Therefore, they shall stand as your judges. When will this occur?

If I drive out demons by the authority of Beelzebub, as you suggest, then how do you explain that your own sons, including My apostles and your disciples, also perform such acts? What evidence do you have that their actions are not derived from the same Beelzebub? It is perplexing that you only bring allegations against Me and not them. The truth is evident; your accusations stem from jealousy. If they command demons to leave by the power of God, then surely, I do so even more so. My followers act in My name. The reason is that they, being your own kin, have embraced the truth that you have rejected, and as a result, they will stand as your accusers in the court of divine truth for this falsehood you've spoken against Me.

The subsequent argument centered on the disciples. If I expel demons through the influence of Beelzebub, then by whose authority do your sons perform similar acts? The apostles had already been granted the power to cast out demons by the Lord, yet the Pharisees refrained from accusing them. They did not direct their opposition toward the deeds themselves but rather aimed their hostility at Christ. Therefore, to illustrate that their accusations stemmed solely from envy, Christ also references the Apostles. “If, as you claim, I cast out demons by Beelzebub’s power, how much more valid is the authority of those whom I empowered to perform such acts? Yet you make no mention of them. Why do you accuse Me, the one who granted them this authority, while shielding them from blame? If my disciples, who share in your humanity, trust in Me and follow My guidance, it is evident they will denounce those who act contrary to My teachings. Thus, they will stand as your accusers.

The second rebuttal to the Pharisaic argument is this: if Christ drives out demons by the authority of Beelzebub, then by whose authority do the Jews, referred to as ‘your sons,’ expel them? Chrysostom interprets the phrase 'your sons' to denote the Lord's disciples, who have already been bestowed with the ability to cast out demons and indeed do so. This is reflected in the Lord's statement: 'Apostles, by whose power do they cast out demons...? If you maintain that I cast out demons through the power of Beelzebub, how much more do they, who have received that ability from Me? Yet you fail to mention this about them. Why do you accuse Me, the one who endowed them with this power, while exonerating them from any blame?

Christ the Savior demonstrated that the slander directed at Him by the Pharisees stemmed from jealousy, as others were also able to cast out demons without facing accusations. He posed the question, "If I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges." Here, the term "sons" refers to the Apostles, who had received the authority to drive out evil spirits from the Savior. This also includes individuals not among Christ’s followers who performed exorcisms (Mk. 9:38; Lk. 9:49; Acts 19:13).