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Matthew 12

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

And charged them that they should not make him known:

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

What does Matthew 12:29 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 12:29 presents an analogy that Jesus uses to describe the principle of overcoming a strong adversary before being able to plunder his possessions. The 'strong man' in the verse symbolizes an entity that has control or influence over a certain domain.

In a literal sense, the verse illustrates that to rob a strong person's house, one must first restrain the strong man so that the house can be ransacked without opposition.

On a deeper level, this verse is often interpreted as a representation of Jesus' spiritual victories over demonic forces.

The 'binding' of the strong man is seen as a metaphor for Jesus' authority and power to overcome the forces of evil that hold sway over people's lives.

Once Jesus 'binds' or neutralizes this authority, he is able to 'spoil' the house, interpreted as liberating individuals from demonic possession or oppression.

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Historical Context

Matthew 12:29 is part of a broader discussion in which Jesus is accused by some Pharisees of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub (another name for Satan).

In response to this accusation, Jesus explains that He casts out demons by the Spirit of God and that His actions demonstrate the coming of the Kingdom of God.

The historical context showcases the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time, who were skeptical and often hostile towards Him.

It reflects the spiritual battle between Jesus' mission to inaugurate God's Kingdom and the established religious order.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse is interpreted in various ways.

From a Christian perspective, it illustrates Jesus' divine authority and power over Satan and his demons. It reinforces the belief in Jesus' role in spiritual warfare and His ability to protect and liberate his followers from evil influences.

In Catholic theology, this verse may also be tied to the concept of Exorcism, which is the practice of casting out demons from individuals who are believed to be possessed. It has implications in the understanding of the Church's authority to conduct such spiritual interventions.

In a Protestant context, some may focus on the personal application, emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment and strength in overcoming sin and temptation in one's life.

Practical Applications

In modern life, Matthew 12:29 can be applied in a spiritual sense, encouraging believers to seek divine help in overcoming personal struggles with sin or negative influences.

It may also encourage people to have faith in the power of Christ to 'bind' the 'strong men' in their lives, whether they be addictions, emotional strongholds, or other harmful patterns.

In a broader societal context, the principle can also apply to challenging and dismantling oppressive systems or structures. Establishing justice may be seen as akin to 'binding the strong man' to 'spoil the goods' of inequality and restore what has been taken from the marginalized.

Cross-References

Mark 3:27, "No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house."
Luke 11:21-22, "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils."
Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words to study include "bind" (δήσῃ, dései), which carries the connotation of tying or restraining with a sense of permanence, and "spoil" (διαρπάσει, diarpásei), meaning to plunder, seize, or take away by force.

Analyzing these words in their original context emphasizes the assertive and intentional action required to overcome a 'strong man' and gain access to his 'house' (οἶκον, oikon), representing his sphere of influence or control.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultures, including those around Israel at the time of Jesus, it was common to use the metaphor of a strong warrior or guardian to represent spiritual or divine protection.

In Comparative mythology, figures like Hercules or Gilgamesh are often depicted as overcoming incredible challenges or adversaries, similar in concept to 'binding the strong man.'

In other religious traditions, exorcisms or spiritual battles also take place but may be understood within different frameworks.

For instance, in Hinduism, certain deities are invoked for protection against evil forces, while in Buddhism, overcoming 'inner demons' is often a metaphor for personal enlightenment.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific viewpoint, discussions around this verse might focus on the understanding of mental health and how religious beliefs interact with psychological conditions.

For instance, what were historically perceived as demonic possessions might be explained today as certain types of mental illness.

Modern psychology explores the symbolic power of 'binding the strong man' as metaphorical tools for gaining control over one's own mind and impulses.

commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have various interpretations of this verse.

Some, like John Calvin, see this as a clear indication of Jesus' authority over Satan and the demonstration of his divine mission.

Others, like William Barclay, suggest that it can be understood as a statement about the unstoppable nature of Jesus' message and the inevitable decline of evil powers in contrast to the growth of the Kingdom of God.

Contemporary theologians might focus on a more personal application, advising believers on the necessity of faith and the Holy Spirit's power to overcome personal struggles and societal issues.

Matthew 12

Matthew 12

What does Matthew 12:29 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 12:29 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?