Matthew 9:34

34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

Matthew 9:34 in Other Translations

34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

34 But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."

34 But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”

34 The Pharisees were left sputtering, "Hocus pocus. It's nothing but hocus pocus. He's probably made a pact with the Devil."

34 But the Pharisees said, "He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons!"

Matthew 9:34 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 9:34

But the Pharisees said
Who were the sworn enemies of Christ, and were filled with envy at him, and malice against him: these men could not bear, that so much honour and glory should be given to Christ; and therefore said,

he casteth out the devils through the prince of the devils:
they could not deny matter of fact, that he had cast out a devil; nor could they say he had done an ill thing in so doing; they could not but own that it was a preternatural action, more than human; nor could they contradict what the multitude said, that no such thing had been ever seen, or known, in Israel: but that Christ might not have the glory of the action, and to fix a mark of infamy upon him, foolishly impute it to a diabolical influence, as if one devil would eject another; and to Christ's familiarity with, and the assistance he had from, not a common devil, but the prince of them. In Beza's most ancient manuscript, and in some others, this whole verse is wanting; and were it not, for the general consent of copies, one should be tempted to think these words were not said at this time, because Christ returns no answer to them; and what is observed by ( Luke 11:15 ) as following this miracle, is the selfsame as was spoken by Christ in ( Matthew 12:24 Matthew 12:25 ) and where this passage is more thoroughly considered.

Matthew 9:34 In-Context

32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.

33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 12:24; Luke 11:15