Matthew 9
32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him.
33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
As they were going away
It is the blind men whose eyes He opened in vv.27–31 who are going away in this verse.
The healing of the blind (without reference to demons) in the previous episode and the healing of a mute man in this episode happen in quick succession. Therefore, both the crowd's and the Pharisees' reactions reflect on these two events together.
Never was anything like this seen in Israel.
Matthew earlier recorded similar thoughts, and while Matthew didn't specifically mention it in the episode of the paralytic man earlier (9:8), Mark did.
Matthew 7:28–29
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Matthew 8:27
And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
Mark 2:12
And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
All these thoughts touch on the nature of Jesus—He is different from what has come before, different from other teachers, a different kind of authority.
But the Pharisees said
Having crossed over the sea back to His own city (9:1), Jesus now begins to face harsh criticism from religious leaders. As before, the Pharisees' objection stands in stark contrast to the crowd's marveling. By saying this, the Phariseees intend to dismiss His authority and prevent the people from listening to His teaching.
The accusations against Him seem to grow in intensity as His critics draw closer to a consensus.
- At first, some of them objected to His actions—but only in their own heads (9:3).
- Then, the Pharisees as a block question His disciples (not Him directly) about His motives (9:11).
- Now, they are outright accusing Him of using the power of Satan to accomplish His miracles before the crowd.
Matthew 9:3, 11, 34
And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming….”
And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners…?”
But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
Very soon, we will see the Pharisees arguing with Jesus directly.
Matthew 12:2
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:38
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
Eventually, they become so set in their opposition to the Lord that Jesus will warn the discples to stay away from their influence.
Matthew 15:12–14
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Matthew 16:6
Jesus said to [the disciples], “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”