Matthew 12:23

23 And all the crowds were astounded and said, "Perhaps this is the Son of David!"

Matthew 12:23 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 12:23

And all the people were amazed
At the cure; it was such an instance of divine power, and so glaring a proof, that the person who wrought it was more than a man, and must be the Messiah. This is to be understood of the greater part of the people, not of every individual, and of the common people only; for it had a different effect upon the Pharisees, as hereafter appears; but in these it not only produced admiration, but conviction, faith, and confession:

and said, is not this the son of David?
or the Messiah; for (dwd Nb) , "the son of David", is a character of the Messiah, well known among the Jews; (See Gill on Matthew 1:1) because he was promised to David, was to be raised up of his seed, and to spring from his loins. This question they put, not as doubting of it, but as inclining, at least, to believe it, if not as expressing their certainty of it: and is, as if they had said, who can this person be but the true Messiah, that has wrought such a miracle as this? for from his miracles they rightly concluded who he was; though the Jews since, in order to deprive Jesus of this true characteristic of the Messiah, deny that miracles are to be performed by him F14.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 Maimon. Hilch. Melacim, c. 11. sect. 3.

Matthew 12:23 In-Context

21 The nations will put their hope in His name.
22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to Him. He healed him, so that the man could both speak and see.
23 And all the crowds were astounded and said, "Perhaps this is the Son of David!"
24 When the Pharisees heard this, they said, "The man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons."
25 Knowing their thoughts, He told them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
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