Smoodock's Blog

The Book of Proverbs often makes statements that cause one to do a double take. That is, we read it again to make sure that we read it correctly. Proverbs 26:4-5 is one of those places where one pauses to think about what one has just read. “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit” (Proverbs 26:4-5). In the context of Jesus facing off the Pharisees, Jesus shouldn’t reply to them by using their tactics. They replied to him by tempting God (Luke 4:28-29; cp. Matthew 4:5-6), and later by putting fear into the minds of the people by engaging in ad hominem tactics. In other words, they attacked Jesus’ character rather than debate their differences with him on logical grounds.

Therefore, Jesus refused to do a miracle to prove he was the Messiah (cp. Matthew 12:38-39), vis-à-vis he wouldn’t tempt God to support his position, and he didn’t engage in ad hominem tactics. Instead, he debated his differences with the Jewish authorities by supporting his position on logical grounds. Jesus argued that their point was ridiculous. Using their understanding of demon possession, he asked why would Satan cast out Satan. Such a thing would end any evil empire. For example, if a mob boss, whose income came largely from drug trafficking, told his underling to stop all drug sales in his territory, how long would the mob boss be able to stay in power? Jesus was doing good through a power that the Jewish authorities claimed was evil, and Jesus was doing good throughout the whole Galilean territory. How long could evil be a threat, if Jesus continued (Matthew 12:25-26)? Thus, if the power Jesus used was ‘evil’ but good was the result, this is a contradiction!

Then Jesus retorted with: If I cast out demons through the power of evil, by whom do your children/disciples cast them out? Jesus’ point was that he healed the man forthrightly, without any great show. On the other hand, the Pharisees and their disciples performed a great and elaborate show for folks to see, when they cast out demons. Some used the heart, liver and gall of a fish to perform their magic on folks (see Tobit 6:1-8). Josephus writes that Jewish exorcists performed their art from a tradition supposed to have come down to them from King Solomon.[1]

Therefore, Jesus’ question is well put. If Jesus, through no elaborate means, casts out a possessed man’s demons, how are the Pharisees’ exorcisms and those of their disciples, which are so apparent in their resemblance of the magic of a sorcerer, not done by an evil power (Matthew 12:27)? Where is their logic for Jesus being evil, yet they are righteous? On the other hand, if Jesus’ miracles or great power comes from the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come to them, and they are privileged to witness his Presence with them (Matthew 12:28; cp. Luke 17:21)! Otherwise, how can anyone come to a “strong man’s house” and spoil his goods? In other words, how could Jesus successfully come into the house the Jewish authorities held in their power and spoil their goods. Put another way, how could he possibly change the minds of the folks they have possessed with their false doctrines? If the Jewish authorities represent God, how could Jesus overcome them (Matthew 12:29)? On the other hand, if Jesus is the Messiah and is God’s representative, why are they fighting him?

[1] See JOSEPHUS; Antiquities of the Jews; 8.2.5. Josephus offers a demonstration done by a Jewish exorcist in the presence of Vespasian and his sons, wherein he cast out a demon from a man by using a certain root mentioned by Solomon. As proof that this was done, he had the “demon” turn over a cup that the exorcist had placed before Vespasian but some distance away. Moreover, Josephus also claims they are spirits of wicked dead men rather than evil angels: See Wars of the Jews; 7.6.3.