By Adam Winn, Ph. D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies at Samford University
THE GREATEST SIN
Matthew 12:22–32
The work of Christ points to the power of God. (22–23)
This passage begins with unnamed people bringing to Jesus a man possessed by a demon. As a result of the demon possession, the man was both blind and mute. The reader is told that Jesus healed him. While a description of an exorcism is not given, the presumption that the healing takes place through the casting out of the demon is clear.
It is noteworthy that the exorcism of the man is accompanied by the restoration of sight and speaking because this provides greater physical evidence to the onlookers of the absence of the demon.
It should also be remembered from Lesson 1 that Jews at this time associated the healing of blindness as a messianic act. It is no wonder then that the people respond by saying, “Could this be the Son of David?” This name is a messianic reference.
The work of Christ points to the presence of God’s Spirit. (24–29)
This response is contrasted with the response of the Pharisees, who claim that Jesus casts out demons through the power of Beezelbul (Satan). In response, Jesus uses the example of a kingdom and claims that if it is fighting itself, it will surely fail. He then notes that if Satan is now driving out Satan — or the servants of Satan — his kingdom too would fall.
Jesus boldly states the implications that if the Pharisees are wrong — namely, that God’s Spirit is powerfully at work and the Kingdom of God has indeed come! (Again, see Lesson 1 on Isaiah 42 and Matthew’s citation of it in vv. 18–21.) “Kingdom of God” refers to God’s time of restoring both Israel and His creation, a reality that is started at Jesus’ first coming, continues through God’s Spirit-empowered people and is only fully completed at the Second Coming.
The reference to the binding of the strong man is likely a reference to the total binding of demonic forces that comes with God’s Kingdom.
That Jesus is “binding” Satan and demonic emissaries and plundering that which they have long controlled demonstrates His messianic identity and the real presence of God’s Kingdom.
Willful and persistent unbelief means there will be no forgiveness. (30–32)
These verses are challenging, as Jesus describes an unforgivable sin — the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Because it is unforgiveable, many Christians have argued that this must mean a continual rejection of Jesus and His work of salvation. While this is possible, it is unclear how such a reading emerges from the context of this passage.
In the context, the sin seems to be associated with what the Pharisees and scribes have done. Mark’s Gospel makes this clearer. It seems to be associated with falsely — and likely knowingly — attributing the work of the Spirit to demonic forces.
Such an action reveals a heart that refuses to be open to the work of the Spirit. Perhaps such a heart is one that would continue to reject the salvation offered by Jesus. Thus, the common reading noted above may be correct but indirectly so.
To some extent, the exact nature of this unforgivable sin will remain elusive this side of eternity. However, I am comforted by the notion that someone who is worried about having committed such a sin probably hasn’t, as the worry itself demonstrates a heart not yet so hardened.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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