Passage

Matthew 9

Verses 32–34 WEB Voices

A mute, demon-oppressed man is brought; the demon is cast out and speech returns. Crowds marvel at unprecedented mercy in Israel, while Pharisees attribute the exorcism to the prince of demons—miracle meets blasphemous spin.

Matthew 9:32

32As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him.

Arminian

Another “behold”: the mute cannot ask, so others bring him. Intercession carries the speechless to Jesus.

Bring those who cannot bring themselves. Grace often arrives on the shoulders of friends’ faith.

Reformed

Oppression and muteness meet the Liberator. Being brought is itself mercy’s logistics.

The kingdom advances against the demonic; this scene continues Matthew’s authority theme.

Matthew 9:33

33When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”

Arminian

Exorcism restores speech. Crowds confess unprecedented wonder in Israel’s story.

Marvel should mature into trust. If nothing like this has been seen, receive the One who does it—do not only applaud.

Reformed

Liberation is total: demon out, speech in. Israel’s history of wonders meets its climax in the Son.

Marvel is right; Matthew will show Pharisees refuse the evidence. Soft hearts glorify; hard hearts recalibrate evil.

Matthew 9:34

34But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons.”

Arminian

The same miracle brings opposite verdicts. Pharisees credit Satan rather than surrender to Jesus. Willful misreading is moral, not merely intellectual.

Classical Arminians warn: light resisted becomes darkness chosen. You remain responsible for how you explain Jesus. Shared ground with Reformed readers: this charge is wicked and false.

Reformed

Unbelief’s last refuge is blasphemous attribution. Evidence does not compel the dead heart without regenerating grace.

Matthew foreshadows deeper conflict (cf. 12:24–32). Hostility to the Spirit’s work in Christ is deadly serious.

Key contrast Both condemn the Pharisees’ charge. Arminians typically stress culpable refusal of clear light; Reformed readers underline that such hardness reveals the need for sovereign grace to open eyes.

Historic quotes

Voices from both camps

A mute, demon-oppressed man is brought; the demon is cast out and speech returns: older Arminian and Reformed writers, each in their own words.

Arminian Notable voices

“A dumb man possessed with a devil - Some demons rendered the persons they possessed paralytic, some blind, others dumb, etc. It was the interest of Satan to hide his influences under the appearance of natural disorders. A man who does not acknowledge his sin to God, who prays not for salvation, who returns no praises for the mercies he is continually receiving, may well be said to be possessed with a dumb demon.”

Adam Clarke · Commentary on the New Testament (on Matt 9:32–34)

Reformed Notable voices

“The other Evangelists say nothing about these two miracles; for, as we have already said, and as John expressly affirms, (21:25,) they did not intend to record every action of Christ, but only to prove, by a brief summary, that he is the Messiah. Now Matthew relates that sight was restored to two blind men, but not so speedily as Christ was wont, on many other occasions, to grant relief to the wretched.”

John Calvin · Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists (on Matt 9:32–34)

Quotations lightly abridged for length; wording follows standard English translations of the sources named.

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Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, Daniel, Matthew, John, Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John are live

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