Devine Scripture

Matthew 12:22

What does Matthew 12:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 12:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 12:22 means

A demon-possessed man, blind and mute, is brought to Jesus; Jesus heals him so that he both speaks and sees. This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ authority over spiritual and physical bondage—restoring both speech and sight. The healing is dramatic, prompting amazement and raising questions about Jesus’ identity. It showcases Jesus’ power to confront evil directly and to restore wholeness, fulfilling his role as the servant bringing mercy and hope.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the dumb man spake and saw.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the dumb man spake and saw.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then they took to him one with an evil spirit, who was blind and had no power of talking: and he made him well so that he had the power of talking and seeing.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Then was brought to him a demoniac, blind and dumb, and he healed him, so that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then was offered to him one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb: and he healed him, so that he spoke and saw.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then was brought to him one possessed by a demon, blind and dumb, and he healed him, so that the dumb [man] spake and saw.

Context

This miracle follows the Isaiah citation and reinforces the prophecy’s themes: Jesus restores the broken and extends hope. The dramatic nature of the healing provokes the crowds to wonder about his identity and prompts the Pharisees’ hostile explanation in the next verses, which shifts the conflict to accusations of demonic collusion.

v.21And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.

v.22This passage

v.23And all the multitudes were amazed, and said, Can this be the son of David?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 3:11

    And the unclean spirits, whensoever they beheld him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.

  • Isaiah 32:3

    And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.

  • Matthew 4:24

    And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed with demons, and epileptic, and palsied; and he healed them.

  • Isaiah 29:18

    And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.

  • Luke 11:14

    And he was casting out a demon that was dumb. And it came to pass, when the demon was gone out, the dumb man spake; and the multitudes marvelled.

  • Acts 26:18

    to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.

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