Brian G C Huggett

The purpose of Jesus' miracles in Matthew chapters 4 to 12 was to focus Israel's attention on his
Messiahship – his claim to being the promised Redeemer and King of Israel.

In Matthew 12:22 the demon possessed man was both blind and dumb, therefore contact with the
demon could not be made through physical means. This particular type of miracle was believed by the
Jews to be one that only Messiah could affect. It is obvious the people thought so for in vs.23 we
read, “…the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?”

Yet the Jewish leadership rejected this confirmation, and needing to justify their rejection accused Jesus
of performing this miracle by the power of Beelzebub the prince of devils. (Jesus pointed out that this
could not be the case because no kingdom divided against itself can stand.)

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