Catholic Bible Study – Augustine Institute

Episode: Matthew 12:9-30
Date: November 22, 2025
Hosts: Dr. Tim Gray (A), Dr. Michael Barber (B)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Tim Gray and Dr. Michael Barber continue their leisurely, in-depth walkthrough of the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on chapter 12, verses 9–30. They explore Jesus’ healing of the man with the withered hand, the Sabbath controversy with the Pharisees, the fulfillment of Isaiah’s Servant Song, the subsequent exorcism and accusations against Jesus, and the implications for unity and division within God's people. The scholars dive into historical context, Jewish tradition, and the theological depth of these passages, drawing rich connections between Old Testament narratives and the mission of Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Jesus in "Their Synagogue"

• [00:41]–[03:29] Context:
  • Jesus enters “their synagogue,” which, as Dr. Barber explains, has led to debate over Matthew's audience. The term likely refers to synagogues controlled by Pharisees, not necessarily indicating non-Jewish authorship.
  • Two kinds of synagogues in Jesus’ day: municipal centers (legal use) and voluntary associations (like the Essenes' or the Synagogue of the Freedmen).
• Notable Quote:
  • “When it talks about Jesus going into their synagogue, but most likely here we have in view a synagogue that is especially controlled by people who are sympathetic to the Pharisees.”
    — Dr. Barber [02:56]

2. The Sabbath Trap: Healing the Man with the Withered Hand

• [03:29]–[07:41] The Accusation Motif:
  • Pharisees pose a trap: Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?
  • “Accuser” is a title for Satan; Dr. Gray draws out the parallel:
    “That's one of the titles for the devil. He's the accuser. Satan. Satan means accuser. So this is the devil's work, is to accuse.”
    — Dr. Gray [03:31–03:36]
• [04:30]-[07:39] Jewish Law & Compassion:
  • Jesus uses an example: rescuing a sheep on the Sabbath. Pharisaic tradition allowed for animal rescue (contrasted with stricter Essene tradition found in the Dead Sea Scrolls), highlighting divisions in Jewish interpretation.
  • The Pharisees’ apparent mercy for property contrasts with their hardness toward Jesus' healing.
• [07:41]–[09:08] Jesus’ Command:
  • Jesus asks the man to “stretch out your hand”—a command impossible for the man, yet he obeys and is healed.
  • Spiritual Insight: Obedience unlocks God’s grace; we’re often called beyond our abilities.
  • “If God commands something, then he will give the grace to obey it. And so here this man has this command, stretch out your hand. So he trusts Jesus and he stretches out his hand.”
    — Dr. Gray [08:10]

3. Ironies, Hypocrisy, and Fulfillment of Prophecy

• [09:08]–[10:55] Irony & Hypocrisy:
  • Pharisees plot against Jesus—a “work” on the Sabbath—after accusing him of breaking Sabbath by healing.
  • “The irony is they are accusing Jesus... but then after Jesus does the healing, they go out and gather and take counsel. Well, taking counsel is a work.”
    — Dr. Gray [09:54–10:46]
• [11:46]–[14:11] Isaiah's Servant Song:
  • Jesus withdraws, fulfilling Isaiah 42: gentle, chosen servant, empowered by the Spirit.
  • Crowd responds with hope, while leaders conspire.
  • “He healed them all. Wow, what a statement. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah...”
    — Dr. Barber [12:21–13:11]

4. Jesus, Exorcism & the Son of David

• [15:23]–[16:17] Messianic Expectations:
  • Jesus heals a blind and mute man. The crowd asks if he is the “Son of David”—a title connected to Solomon, known for wisdom and exorcism in Jewish thought.
  • “When you thought of exorcism in the Jewish world, the first figure that would have come to mind is Solomon. And that's what happens here...”
    — Dr. Barber [16:17]

5. Accusation of Casting Out Demons by Beelzebul

• [16:17]–[20:02] Jesus’ Logic & the House Divided:

  • Pharisees attribute Jesus' power to “Beelzebul, the prince of demons.”
  • Jesus responds: “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste...” (Recorded by Lincoln during Civil War, but originally Jesus’ words)
    • “If I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out?”
      — Dr. Barber [17:58]
  • Jesus subtly points to the irrationality of their accusation, exposing their blindness and projecting the spiritual principle: Evil is generally united; division plagues God’s people.
  • “Evil and wickedness are usually surprisingly united, whereas the good guys are bumbling and disagreeing with each other...”
    — Dr. Gray [20:02]

• Historical Parallels & Relevance:

  • Schism and division, whether ancient (Kingdom of Israel, civil war) or modern (Protestant Reformation, Church infighting), repeat the patterns seen in these texts.
  • “Oftentimes Catholics are turning against each other... and then we wonder why Satan has so many victories.”
    — Dr. Barber [21:36]

6. The Kingdom of God and the Restoration of Unity

• [21:36]–[26:08] The True Kingdom:
  • Jesus, as the new Solomon and Son of David, comes to restore unity—fulfilling Old Testament hopes.
  • “Kingdom of God” as the realm where all is subject to Christ; realized now in the Church.
  • Dr. Gray tracks allusions to Old Testament splits (Rehoboam, Jeroboam, divided kingdoms, withered hand stories) and shows how Jesus reverses this history to unify God's people.
  • “Jesus comes to restore the 12 tribes. He comes to reunite all of Israel around himself. And Jesus is the source of unity.”
    — Dr. Gray [25:15]

7. Binding the Strongman & the Call for Unity

• [26:08]–[27:38] Spiritual Warfare & Daily Life:
  • Binding “the strongman” (Satan) illustrates Christ’s victory and the call for believers to unity and collaboration.
  • “Christ is the one who's bringing us together. Satan is the one who wants to divide us.”
    — Dr. Barber [26:42]
  • Disunity impacts not only the Church but families, workplaces, and personal relationships.
  • “Sin has as sow sin and you reap division, sow love, and you reap unity.”
    — Dr. Gray [27:19]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Spiritual Obedience:
  • “If God commands something, then he will give the grace to obey it.” — Dr. Gray [08:10]
• On Accusation:
  • “Satan means accuser. So this is the devil's work, is to accuse.” — Dr. Gray [03:36]
• On Hypocrisy:
  • “The irony is... they go out and gather and take counsel. Well, taking counsel is a work.” — Dr. Gray [09:54]
• On Unity & Division:
  • “Evil and wickedness are usually surprisingly united, whereas the good guys are bumbling and disagreeing with each other.” — Dr. Gray [20:02]
• On the Kingdom:
  • “The kingdom of God... is that realm in which all things are made subject to God in Christ.” — Dr. Barber [22:35]
• On Restoration:
  • “Jesus comes to restore the 12 tribes. He comes to reunite all of Israel around himself.” — Dr. Gray [25:15]
• On Unity’s Importance:
  • “Sin has as sow sin and you reap division, sow love, and you reap unity.” — Dr. Gray [27:19]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:41] – Jesus enters “their synagogue” and early Christian context
• [03:29] – The Sabbath healing as a legal and spiritual trap
• [07:41] – Jesus commands the impossible; power of obedience
• [09:54] – Pharisaic hypocrisy and irony about Sabbath “work”
• [12:21] – Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Servant Song (Isaiah 42)
• [15:23] – The exorcism, “Son of David,” and OT exorcist tradition
• [16:17] – Accusation by Beelzebul, and Jesus’ logic of the “divided house”
• [20:02] – The tragic legacy of division among God’s people
• [21:36] – Church unity, historical schisms, and application for today
• [25:15] – Jesus as restorer of Israel and source of true unity
• [26:08] – Binding the strongman and everyday implications of unity/division
• [27:38] – Preparing for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (set up for next episode)

Next Time / Homework

• Next Topic: Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31ff; significance and interpretation)
• Homework Assignment:
  • Read the rest of Matthew chapter 12.
  • Read Psalm 1 and Psalm 2, as these themes (especially plotting against the Lord’s anointed) are woven deeply into Matthew’s Gospel.

Closing Notes

The episode richly connects scripture, Jewish tradition, and Church teaching; the tone is scholarly yet accessible, with an emphasis on practical spirituality (obedience, unity, avoiding the role of “accuser”) and deeper biblical patterns. Dr. Gray and Dr. Barber’s lively, collaborative teaching brings the Gospel narrative to life for listeners seeking deeper devotion and understanding.