Matthew 12:14-30

English Standard Version

¹⁴But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

God's Chosen Servant

¹⁵Jesus, aware of this, ^(A)withdrew from there. And ^(B)many followed him, and he healed them all ¹⁶and ^(C)ordered them not to make him known. ¹⁷^(D)This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁸^(E)“Behold, my ^(F)servant whom I have chosen,
    my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
^(G)I will put my Spirit upon him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
¹⁹He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
    nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
²⁰a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
²¹    ^(H)and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

²²^(I)Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. ²³^(J)And all the people were amazed, and said, ^(K)“Can this be the Son of David?” ²⁴But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ^(L)“It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” ²⁵^(M)Knowing their thoughts, ^(N)he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. ²⁶And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? ²⁷And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, ^(O)by whom do ^(P)your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁸But if it is ^(Q)by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then ^(R)the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²⁹Or ^(S)how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed ^(T)he may plunder his house. ³⁰^(U)Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.