Matthew 9:32-34 (NASB) 32 And as they were going out, behold, a demon-possessed man who was unable to speak was brought to Him. 33 And after the demon was cast out, the man who was previously unable to speak talked; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees were saying, “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.”

Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

The 9th Chapter of Matthew tells us of Jesus working miracles as he fulfills prophecy about the Messiah. Matthew tells us the Pharisees saw Jesus cast out demons and restore a man’s ability to speak. Their reaction was to infer from what they saw that Jesus cast out demons by the “…ruler of the demons.” It seems to me they inferred this because of their pre-conceived false idea that Jesus must be a fraud. I say this because I see no other way could dismiss what they saw with their own eyes. Perhaps the Pharisees reflected on Exodus that tell us when Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh, they did some miraculous things as a sign that that their message is from God. But Exodus also tells us that the “soothsayer priests did the same with their secret arts.” I believe they were blinded to the truth because they were more interested in being proven right.  What would happen to their position in society if Jesus was indeed the Messiah?

The Pharisees witnessed Jesus’ miracles, yet they still refused to accept what they saw for what it is. Matthew does not tell us they sought guidance from God to reveal the truth of what took place. Matthew only tells the conclusion they reached to dismiss it as something evil. Isn’t this the way people today react when presented with a scripture that goes against a doctrine they strongly believe? Are there not people today who read the Bible to prove an idea rather than read and pray that God would reveal the meaning of His word?

What are your thoughts?