Demons
By Peter Leithart
In the sequence of miracles in Matthew 8:23-9:8, the shaking of the sea parallels the violence of the demoniacs and this parallels . . . what? The sin of the paralytic? Perhaps, but it seems more likely that Matthew is working out a parallel between the demons and the scribes. The demons object to Jesus coming to deliver before the time; the scribes object to Jesus claiming power to forgive. Scribal opposition to Jesus is another form of diabolical violence, another shaking of the sea.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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