Matthew 12:22-24: A demonized, blind and deaf man is healed
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Matthew 12:22-24
As a healing, this narrative provides little information. In fact, even the exorcism of the demon is only implied in the text (by the fact the man is healed of his ailments and by the Pharisees comments) but never explicitly stated. That notwithstanding, the exorcism can be assumed. In Matthew as a whole, however, this healing has some very noticeable repetition of themes from chapter nine. In Matthew 9:27-34 and in Matthew 12:22-24, all of the following are present:
Speaking of the Pharisees’ response to the healing of the paralytic in Matthew 9:1-7, Craig Keener notes that “We need to be very careful how we speak in God’s name: being religious doesn’t necessarily guarantee that we’re right”1. This admonition is something we do well to bear in mind when discussing the topic of healing. There is a wide range of theologies and philosophies of healing, and many of us are quick to condemn those that fall outside of the boundaries of our own. While I am not advocating the open and uncritical acceptance of every teaching or practice, it is worth bearing in mind that we often repeat the Pharisees’ charge.
Actually, an argument could be put forward that when Jesus mentions false prophets performing miracles (Matthew 7:22, Matthew 24:24, and Mark 13:22), he does not specify the source of their power, and therefore we are making an assumption if we attribute to Satan. However, in the discourse on false prophets in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:15-23), the implication is that those individuals did not perform their ministry in relationship to Christ who declares, “I never knew you!” If he never knew them, how could they have received their commission, their power, or their authority from him. Also, Revelation 16:14 refers to demons performing signs. That notwithstanding, it does not necessarily follow that a person could have a legitimate healing ministry operating in the power of the Spirit but subsequently fall into an ungodly lifestyle without God withdrawing his gifting. Furthermore, what Jesus patently does not say is that we should beware of people who perform signs and wonders. Rather, he tells us that performing miracles alone does not prove a persons loyalties. Those individuals aside, the general tenor of the New Testament is that the Church should continue to minister in the supernatural and that signs and wonders should be anticipated (even if they might not be guaranteed in every circumstance). So, rather than Jesus’ references to false prophets being a warning regarding signs and wonders, it is actually a warning against considering only signs and wonders. Signs and wonders themselves are simply assumed, so we might also be warranted if we question the validity of churches where those things do not occur in the life of the body!
FOOTNOTES
1. Dr. Craig Keener, “Matthew, Lecture 10, Matthew 8-9”, Biblical eLearning. June 6, 2016. 43:09 - 43:19. Online at http://biblicalelearning.org/new-testament/matthew/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4fhjmej948. Accessed 1/17/2019.
Matthew 12:22-24
As a healing, this narrative provides little information. In fact, even the exorcism of the demon is only implied in the text (by the fact the man is healed of his ailments and by the Pharisees comments) but never explicitly stated. That notwithstanding, the exorcism can be assumed. In Matthew as a whole, however, this healing has some very noticeable repetition of themes from chapter nine. In Matthew 9:27-34 and in Matthew 12:22-24, all of the following are present:
- The crowd are amazed
- The title “the Son of David” is attributed to Jesus
- Demonization
- Blindness
- Muteness
- Healing and exorcism
- The Pharisees accusing Jesus of reliance on the prince of demons to cast out lesser demons
Speaking of the Pharisees’ response to the healing of the paralytic in Matthew 9:1-7, Craig Keener notes that “We need to be very careful how we speak in God’s name: being religious doesn’t necessarily guarantee that we’re right”1. This admonition is something we do well to bear in mind when discussing the topic of healing. There is a wide range of theologies and philosophies of healing, and many of us are quick to condemn those that fall outside of the boundaries of our own. While I am not advocating the open and uncritical acceptance of every teaching or practice, it is worth bearing in mind that we often repeat the Pharisees’ charge.
Actually, an argument could be put forward that when Jesus mentions false prophets performing miracles (Matthew 7:22, Matthew 24:24, and Mark 13:22), he does not specify the source of their power, and therefore we are making an assumption if we attribute to Satan. However, in the discourse on false prophets in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:15-23), the implication is that those individuals did not perform their ministry in relationship to Christ who declares, “I never knew you!” If he never knew them, how could they have received their commission, their power, or their authority from him. Also, Revelation 16:14 refers to demons performing signs. That notwithstanding, it does not necessarily follow that a person could have a legitimate healing ministry operating in the power of the Spirit but subsequently fall into an ungodly lifestyle without God withdrawing his gifting. Furthermore, what Jesus patently does not say is that we should beware of people who perform signs and wonders. Rather, he tells us that performing miracles alone does not prove a persons loyalties. Those individuals aside, the general tenor of the New Testament is that the Church should continue to minister in the supernatural and that signs and wonders should be anticipated (even if they might not be guaranteed in every circumstance). So, rather than Jesus’ references to false prophets being a warning regarding signs and wonders, it is actually a warning against considering only signs and wonders. Signs and wonders themselves are simply assumed, so we might also be warranted if we question the validity of churches where those things do not occur in the life of the body!
FOOTNOTES
1. Dr. Craig Keener, “Matthew, Lecture 10, Matthew 8-9”, Biblical eLearning. June 6, 2016. 43:09 - 43:19. Online at http://biblicalelearning.org/new-testament/matthew/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4fhjmej948. Accessed 1/17/2019.
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