Matius 9:3

9:3 Then ¹  some of the experts in the law ²  said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” ³ 

Matius 9:34

9:34 But the Pharisees ⁴  said, “By the ruler ⁵  of demons he casts out demons.” ⁶ 

Matius 12:24

12:24 But when the Pharisees ⁷  heard this they said, “He does not cast out demons except by the power of Beelzebul, ⁸  the ruler ⁹  of demons!”

Matius 12:26

12:26 So if ¹⁰  Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

[9:3]  ¹ tn Grk “And behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1). Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events in the narrative.

[9:3]  ² tn Or “some of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

[9:3]  ³ sn Blaspheming meant to say something that dishonored God. To claim divine prerogatives or claim to speak for God when one really does not would be such an act of offense. The remark raised directly the issue of the nature of Jesus’ ministry.

[9:34]  ⁴ sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

[9:34]  ⁵ tn Or “prince.”

[9:34]  ⁶ tc Although codex Cantabrigiensis (D), along with a few other Western versional and patristic witnesses, lacks this verse, virtually all other witnesses have it. The Western text’s reputation for free alterations as well as the heightened climax if v. 33 concludes this pericope explains why these witnesses omitted the verse.

[12:24]  ⁷ sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

[12:24]  ⁸ tn Grk “except by Beelzebul.”

[12:24]  sn Beelzebul is another name for Satan. So some people recognized Jesus’ work as supernatural, but called it diabolical.

[12:24]  ⁹ tn Or “prince.”

[12:26]  ¹⁰ tn This first class condition, the first of three “if” clauses in the following verses, presents the example vividly as if it were so. In fact, all three conditions in these verses are first class. The examples are made totally parallel. The expected answer is that Satan’s kingdom will not stand, so the suggestion makes no sense. Satan would not seek to heal.