Luke 11:14-23

Common English Bible

Controversy over Beelzebul

¹⁴Jesus was throwing out a demon that causes muteness. When the demon was gone, the man who couldn’t speak began to talk. The crowds were amazed. ¹⁵But some of them said, “He throws out demons with the authority of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.” ¹⁶Others were testing him, seeking a sign from heaven.

¹⁷Because Jesus knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom involved in civil war becomes a wasteland, and a house torn apart by divisions will collapse. ¹⁸If Satan is at war with himself, how will his kingdom endure? I ask this because you say that I throw out demons by the authority of Beelzebul. ¹⁹If I throw out demons by the authority of Beelzebul, then by whose authority do your followers throw them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. ²⁰But if I throw out demons by the power^[a] of God, then God’s kingdom has already overtaken you. ²¹When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his possessions are secure. ²²But as soon as a stronger one attacks and overpowers him, the stronger one takes away the armor he had trusted and divides the stolen goods.