Matthew 9:34 Commentary and Bible Study

But there is a stark difference between the response of the ordinary people and that of the Pharisees. Here we read the first echo of an accusation brought against Christ with more force later on in this Gospel (Matthew 12:24). It is a desperate recourse by desperate men, for it lacks all credibility as the Lord later points out. The Pharisees are out of their depth, and yet struggling to hold on to their supposed expertise in things religious in the eyes of the people. What to the crowds is a cause of wonder and praise to God is to the Pharisees an ominous threat to their supremacy. Nothing else matters – not the evidence before their eyes of Christ’s authority, not the obvious fulfilment of Scripture, not the relief brought to this suffering man, but only the danger of their losing their status before the people.