was blind and mute because demon-possessed (12:22). This miracle results in a divided reaction. By their reasoning, on the one hand, the Pharisees conclude that Jesus must have been serving Satan (12:24). Jesus, in turn, counters this reaction, negatively, by saying in effect that Satan would never take such a counterproductive action against himself and his interests (12:25–26) and then, positively (12:28), by asserting that this healing is a present manifestation of the eschatological rule of God.