Christ Heals the Demoniac

14 hAnd He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled.

Christ’s Power Not from Satan

Matt. 12:25–30, 43–45; Mark 3:22–27

15 But some of them said, i“He casts out demons by 6Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

16 Others, testing Him, jsought from Him a sign from heaven. 17 kBut lHe, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if I cast out demons mwith the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 nWhen a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But owhen a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his 7spoils. 23 pHe who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

24 q“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and rthe last state of that man is worse than the first.”

27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, s“Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!”

28 But He said, t“More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Christ’s Only Sign is Jonah

Matt. 12:39–42

29 uAnd while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, “This is an evil generation. It seeks a vsign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah 8the prophet. 30 For as wJonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31 xThe queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a ygreater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for zthey repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.