Like a swift flash of light these words revealed to the rabbis the pit of ruin into which they were about to plunge. For an instant they were filled with terror. They saw that they were in conflict with Infinite Power. But they would not be warned. In order to maintain their influence with the people, their murderous designs must be concealed. Evading the question of Jesus, they exclaimed, "Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill Thee?" They insinuated that the wonderful works of Jesus were instigated by an evil spirit.

Som et lynglimt afslørede disse ord for de skriftkloge, hvilket fortabelsens dyb de var ved at styrte sig i. De var et øjeblik rædselsslagne. De indså, at de var kommet i modstrid med Almagten. Men de ville ikke lade sig advare. Deres morderiske planer måtte skjules, hvis de ville bevare deres indflydelse over folket. De gik uden om Jesu spørgsmål og udbrød: "Du må jo være besat! hvem søger at slå dig ihjel?" De antydede, at Jesu undergerninger var sket gennem anstiftelse af en ond ånd.