Matthew 12:23 (KJV)

What does Matthew 12:23 mean?

Matthew 12:23 shows a crowd wondering whether Jesus might be the promised ruler from David’s family. Their question follows an extraordinary healing, which leaves them astonished and causes them to ask who Jesus is.

The people are speaking among themselves after Jesus heals a man in verse 22. “Son of David” points back to David, an ancient king of Israel. Many Jewish people hoped that a future ruler from David’s family would come to lead them.

The Greek behind Matthew 12:23

• “amazed” — ἐξίστημι (existēmi): This word can describe being astounded or overwhelmed. It conveys a reaction strong enough to leave the crowd wondering what to make of Jesus.
• “not” — μήτι (mēti): This word introduces a question that often anticipates a negative answer. Here the crowd’s question can carry a note of uncertainty: “Could this possibly be the son of David?”

Why Matthew 12:23 matters

• The crowd’s question connects Jesus’ action with hopes for a ruler from David’s family. “Son of David” was more than a way of naming an ancestor; it could point to those hopes.
• The question sets up a contrast in the passage. In verse 24, the Pharisees, members of a Jewish religious group, give a sharply different explanation for Jesus’ power.
• The wording leaves the crowd’s conclusion open. They ask, “Is not this the son of David?” rather than making a settled statement.