Commentary on Matthew 12:28 – Exegesis and Hermeneutics of the Bible – Biblical Commentary

But if by the Spirit of God I cast out demons, surely the kingdom of God has come to you.

12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. — Of all the miracles performed by Jesus it seems that the casting out of demons impressed the people the most. They were astonished and amazed, extremely impressed with this sign. Jesus also makes special case of this miracle. According to him this phenomenon clearly demonstrated “the finger of God” (Luke 11:20), or as Matthew says, Jesus worked “by the Spirit of God” (Matt 12:28). For this reason Jesus sounds the alarm against blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (v 32; Mar 3:29-30). Therefore, the kingdom of God had come because the kingdom of Satan was suffering much loss. There were only two alternatives: (1) Jesus cast out demons by the authority of Satan, an illogical and absurd conclusion, because that way Satan would have worked against himself, which he never does. Satan is very cunning, he is not stupid! (verses 25-27). (2) The other alternative, the only one left to them, was that Jesus cast out demons by the finger of God and, therefore, the kingdom of God had come; that is, the miracles proved that everything He had announced about the kingdom was true. In that case it was to the Jews’ advantage to rejoice greatly in seeing the demonstration of God’s power over Satan’s power. It was convenient for them to prepare their hearts to receive this kingdom that had so much power to do works of mercy among the people. But “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (Joh 3:19). This presents an alarming thought, because it indicates that the Pharisees, observing the work of Jesus, were witnesses to the presence and power of the very God whom they professed to serve. The arrival of the Messiah would also be the arrival of the kingdom of God announced by all the prophets. In this Jesus anticipates the arrival of the kingdom on the day of Pentecost. The point is that God was already defeating Satan as Jesus explains in the verses that follow.

Source: Commentary on the New Testament by Partain

if by the Spirit of God I cast out demons. Matt 12:18; Tue 16:17; Luke 11:20; Ac 10:38.

surely the kingdom of God has come to you. Matt 6:33; Matt 21:31, Matt 21:43; Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7; Dan 2:44; Dan 7:14; Tue 1:15; Tue 11:10; Luke 1:32, Luke 1:33; Luke 9:2; Luke 10:11; Luke 11:20; Luke 16:16; Luke 17:20, Luke 17:21; Romans 14:17; Col 1:13; Hebrews 12:28.

Source: The Treasury of Biblical Knowledge

GOD’S KINGDOM. See ARTICLE THE KINGDOM OF GOD, P. 1302. .

Source: Full Life Study Bible

ARTICLE

God’s kingdom.

THE NATURE OF THE KINGDOM. The kingdom of God (or of heaven) comprises the concept that God enters the world to assert his glory, his power, and his rights against Satan’s rule and the current course of this world. It is more than salvation or the church; it is God who expresses himself with power in all his works.

(1) The kingdom of God is first of all an affirmation of divine power in action. God begins his spiritual rule on earth in the hearts and among his people (Joh 14:23; Joh 20:22). He comes into the world with power (Isaiah 64:1; Mark 9:1; 1Co 4:20). One must not have the idea that this power is material or political, but spiritual. The kingdom is not a political-religious theocracy; it is not a matter of social or political domination over the kingdoms of this world (Joh 18:36). It is not God’s purpose at this time to redeem and reform the world through social or political activism or violent actions (Matt 26:52; see Joh 18:36; note). During all this time the world will continue to be an enemy of God and of his people (Joh 15:19; Romans 12:1-2; Jas 4:4; 1Jn 2:15-17; 1Jn 4:4). God’s rule by direct force and judgment will occur only at the end of this age (Rev 19:11-21).

(2) Because God imposes himself with power, the world is in crisis. The manifestation of God’s power fills the devil’s empire with alarm (Matt 4:3 H.H; Matt 12:29; Tue 1:24), and everyone is confronted with the decision to submit or not to the government of God (Matt 3:1-2; Matt 4:17; Matt 1:14-15). The necessary and fundamental condition to enter the kingdom of God is: “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Tue 1:15).

(3) That breaking into the world with divine power implies:

(a) The spiritual power over the rule and dominion of Satan (Matt 12:28; Joh 18:36); the arrival of the kingdom of God is the beginning of the destruction of the government of Satan (Joh 12:31; Joh 16:11) and the liberation of humanity from the demonic (Tue 1:34; Tue 1:39; Mark 3:14-15; Ac 26:18) and of sin (Romans 6:1-23);

(b) the power to work miracles and heal the sick (Matt 4:23; Matt 9:35; Ac 4:30; Acts 8:7; see ARTICLE DIVINE HEALING, P. 1284. );

(c) the preaching of the gospel, convicting as to sin, righteousness, and judgment (Matt 11:5; Joh 16:8-11; Ac 4:33);

(d) the salvation and sanctification of those who repent and believe the gospel (see Joh 3:3; Joh 17:17; Acts 2:38-40; 2Co 6:14-18; and ARTICLE THE SPIRITUAL SEPARATION OF BELIEVERS, P. 1654. ); Y

(e) the baptism in the Holy Ghost to receive power to testify of Christ (see Acts 1:8grades; Acts 2:4grades).

(4) A fundamental evidence that the kingdom of God is experienced is a life of “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

(5) That kingdom has a present and a future aspect. It is a reality present in today’s world (Tue 1:15; Luke 18:16-17; Col 1:13; Hebrews 12:28), but the rule and power of God have not been fully effected. The work and influence of Satan and the wicked will continue until the end of the world (1Ti 4:1; 2Ti 3:1-5; Rev 19:19-21; Rev 20:1-10). The future manifestation of the glory, power and kingdom of God will occur when Jesus Christ returns to judge the world (Mat 24:30; Luke 21:27; Rev 19:11-20; Rev 20:1-6). The ultimate fulfillment of the kingdom will come when Christ finally triumphs over all evil and opposition and delivers the kingdom to God his Father (1Co 15:24-28; Rev 20:7-15; Rev 21:1-8; See also Tue 1:15note about the various manifestations of the kingdom in redemptive history.)

THE ROLE OF BELIEVERS IN THE KINGDOM. The NT has much to say about the role of believers in the kingdom of God.

(1) It is the responsibility of believers to ceaselessly seek the kingdom of God in all its manifestations, hungering and thirsting for the presence and power of God in their own lives and in the Christian community (see Matt 5:10grades; Matt 6:33note).

(2 in Matt 11:12 Christ gives more information about the nature of the people of the kingdom. There he indicates that the kingdom of heaven is only snatched away by courageous people who are committed to breaking with the sinful practices of the human race and who turn to Christ, his Word and his righteous ways. Whatever the cost, such people are eagerly seeking the kingdom of God with all their might. In other words, to have the kingdom of heaven and all its blessings, intense effort and constant commitment are required: a fight of faith accompanied by the firm will to resist Satan, sin and the society that is inclined to evil.

(3) The kingdom of God is not for those who hardly ever pray nor for those who conform to the world, neglect the Word and have little spiritual hunger. It is for men like José (Gen 39:9), Nathan (2Sa 12:7), Elijah (1Ki 18:21), Daniel and his three friends (Dan 1:8; Dan 3:16-18), Mordecai (Esther 3:4-5), Peter and John (Acts 4:19-20), Stephen (Acts 6:8; Ac 7:51) and Paul (Phil 3:13-14); It is for women like Débora (Judg 4:9), Ruth (Ruth 1:16-18), Esther (Esther 4:16), Maria (Luke 1:16-35), Ana (Luke 2:36-38) and Lydia (Acts 16:14-15; Ac 16:40).

Source: Full Life Study Bible

the kingdom of God has come. This was the complete truth. The King was in their midst, displaying his sovereign power. He demonstrated this by manifesting his ability to bind Satan and his demons (v. Matt 12:29).

Source: MacArthur Study Bible

12:28 — But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. – Of all the miracles performed by Jesus it seems that casting out demons impressed people the most. They were astonished and amazed, extremely impressed with this sign. Jesus also makes special case of this miracle. According to Him this phenomenon clearly demonstrated “the finger of God” (Luke 11:20), or as Matthew says, Jesus worked “by the Spirit of God” (Mat 12:28). For this reason Jesus sounds the alarm against blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (v 32; Mar 3:29-30).
Therefore, the kingdom of God had come because the kingdom of Satan was suffering much loss. There were only two alternatives: (1) Jesus cast out demons by the authority of Satan, an illogical and absurd conclusion, because that way Satan would have worked against himself, which he never does. Satan is very cunning, he is not stupid! (verses 25-27). (2) The other alternative, the only one left to them, was that Jesus cast out demons by the finger of God and, therefore, the kingdom of God had come; that is, the miracles proved that everything He had announced about the kingdom was true. In that case it was to the Jews’ advantage to rejoice greatly in seeing the demonstration of God’s power over Satan’s power. It was convenient for them to prepare their hearts to receive this kingdom that had so much power to do works of mercy among the people. But “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).
This presents an alarming thought, because it indicates that the Pharisees, observing the work of Jesus, were witnesses to the presence and power of the very God whom they professed to serve. The arrival of the Messiah would also be the arrival of the kingdom of God announced by all the prophets. In this Jesus anticipates the arrival of the kingdom on the day of Pentecost. The point is that God was already defeating Satan as Jesus explains in the verses that follow.

Source: Reeves-Partain Notes

— the kingdom of God: Surprisingly (as in Matt 6:33) the evangelist does not say kingdom of heaven, as is usual for him, but kingdom of God, as Mc and Lc always do; (See also Matt 21:31; Matt 21:43).

Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation

Watch Matt 4:17; Matt 10:7; Tue 1:15; Luke 17:21.

Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation

CROSS-REFERENCES

k566 Luke 11:20; 1Jn 3:8

Source: New World Translation

God’s spirit. One of the functions of the Holy Spirit during Jesus’ earthly ministry was to work with Jesus to carry out his ministry (vs. 18). Luke reports that Jesus says finger of God in this discussion (see Lk 11:20; cp. Ex 8:19; 31:18; Deut 9:10). The expression the finger of God, which also refers to the Holy Spirit, helps to understand what Jesus was saying. It is found in Ex 8:19, where Pharaoh’s magicians admit that their incantations do not compare to the true miracles of God. Jesus is indicating that some, if not all, of the miracles of the expulsion of…

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