Matthew 12:23

“And all the people were amazed, etc.] At the cure; it was such an instance of divine power, and so glaring a proof, that the person who wrought it was more than a man, and must be the Messiah. This is to be understood of the greater part of the people, not of every individual, and of the common people only; for it had a different effect upon the Pharisees, as hereafter appears; but in these it not only produced admiration, but conviction, faith, and confession: and said, is not this the son of David? or the Messiah; for dwd ˆb, “the son of David”, is a character of the Messiah, well known among the Jews; See Gill “<400101>Matthew 1:1” because he was promised to David, was to be raised up of…”

“And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?--The form of the interrogative requires this to be rendered, "Is this the Son of David?" And as questions put in this form (in Greek) suppose doubt, and expect rather a negative answer, the meaning is, "Can it possibly be?"--the people thus indicating their secret impression that this must be He; yet saving themselves from the wrath of the ecclesiastics, which a direct assertion of it would have brought upon them. (On a similar question, see on Joh 4:29; and on the phrase, "Son of David," see on Mat 9:27).”

“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil - See the notes at Matthew 4:24. The same account, substantially, is found in Mark 3:22-27, and Luke 11:14-26. Matthew 12:23 Is not this the Son of David? - That is, Is not this the promised “descendant” of David, the Messiah? They were acquainted with the prophecy in Isaiah 35:5, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped,” and they inferred that he must be the promised Messiah who was able to do this. This inference was drawn by the common people, and not by the proud and haughty Pharisees. It is not uncommon that people of plain common sense, though unlearned, see the true meaning of the…”

“Is not this the son of David - That is, the Messiah. Matthew 12:24”

“12:23 Amazement was a common response to Jesus’ miracles (Mark 2:12; 6:51; Luke 2:47; 8:56; 24:22). • Could it be: The question expected a negative answer: Jesus did not fit their expectations for the Messiah, but his miracles did prompt the question.”

“the people: Mat 9:33, Mat 15:30, Mat 15:31 Is not: Mat 9:27, Mat 15:22, Mat 21:9, Mat 22:42, Mat 22:43; Joh 4:29, Joh 7:40-42 Matthew 12:24”