Matthew 12:22-32
Living Bible
22 Then a demon-possessed man—he was both blind and unable to talk—was brought to Jesus, and Jesus healed him so that he could both speak and see. 23 The crowd was amazed. “Maybe Jesus is the Messiah!”[a] they exclaimed.
24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “He can cast out demons because he is Satan,[b] king of devils.”
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “A divided kingdom ends in ruin. A city or home divided against itself cannot stand. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting himself and destroying his own kingdom. 27 And if, as you claim, I am casting out demons by invoking the powers of Satan, then what power do your own people use when they cast them out? Let them answer your accusation! 28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29 One cannot rob Satan’s kingdom without first binding Satan.[c] Only then can his demons be cast out! 30 Anyone who isn’t helping me is harming me.
31-32 “Even blasphemy against me[d] or any other sin can be forgiven—all except one: speaking against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
Footnotes
Matthew 12:23 the Messiah, literally, “the Son of David.”
Matthew 12:24 Satan, literally, “Beelzebub.”
Matthew 12:29 Satan, literally, “the strong.” Only then can his demons be cast out, literally, “Then will he spoil his house.”
Matthew 12:31 me, literally, “the Son of Man.”
Matthew 12:38-40
Living Bible
38 One day some of the Jewish leaders, including some Pharisees, came to Jesus asking him to show them a miracle.
39-40 But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, faithless nation would ask for further proof; and none will be given except what happened to Jonah the prophet! For as Jonah was in the great fish for three days and three nights, so I, the Messiah,[a] shall be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.
Footnotes
Matthew 12:39 the Messiah, literally, “the Son of Man.”