Scripture Readings

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Matthew 12:14-16, 22-30 (Gospel)

14
Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.
15
But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.
16
Yet He warned them not to make Him known,
22
Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.
23
And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
24
Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
25
But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
26
If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
27
And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.
28
But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29
Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
30
He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.