But the Pharisees, hearing it, said, “He does not cast out demons by anything else, except only by Beelzebul, the ruler of demons”.
The Pharisees, seeing Jesus’ power in casting out demons, reject His divine nature and slander Him, claiming that He acts through Beelzebul, the ruler of demons. The name “Beelzebul” was used as a label for Satan or the leader of the demons. This statement by the Pharisees shows their willful blindness and evil: they see Jesus’ miracles, but instead of believing, they try to discredit Him. This accusation against Jesus is not only unjust, but also reveals their unbelief even in the face of obvious divine miracles. This accusation also portrays the hardness of the human heart, which rejects the truth even when it is clearly manifested. This charge is especially serious, because Jesus’ works were done by the power of the Holy Spirit, and such claims come close to the sin against the Holy Spirit.