A House Divided

14 Now(A) he was driving out a demon(B) that was mute.(C) When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul,(D) the ruler(E) of the demons.”(F) 16 And others, as a test,(G) were demanding of him a sign(H) from heaven.

17 Knowing their thoughts,(I) he told them, “Every kingdom divided(J) against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan(K) also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom(L) stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons(M) drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 20 If I drive out demons by the finger of God,(N) then the kingdom of God(O) has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers(P) him, he takes from him all his weapons[a](Q) he trusted(R) in, and divides up his plunder.(S) 23 Anyone who is not with me is against me,(T) and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.

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Footnotes

  1. 11:22 Gk panoplia, the armor and weapons of a foot soldier; Eph 6:11,13

Pharisees’ Blasphemy

14 (A)And He was casting out a mute demon; when the demon had gone out, the man who was previously unable to speak talked, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out the demons (B)by (C)Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” 16 Others, [a]to test Him, (D)were demanding of Him a [b]sign from heaven. 17 (E)But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against [c]itself falls. 18 And if (F)Satan also has been divided against himself, how will his kingdom [d]stand? For you claim that I cast out the demons by (G)Beelzebul. 19 Yet if by (H)Beelzebul I cast out the demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. 20 But if I cast out the demons by [e]the (I)finger of God, then (J)the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When [f]a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are [g]secure. 22 But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, that man takes away his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. 23 (K)The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 11:16 Lit testing
  2. Luke 11:16 I.e., confirming miracle
  3. Luke 11:17 Lit a house
  4. Luke 11:18 I.e., remain stable
  5. Luke 11:20 I.e., an undeniable act of God
  6. Luke 11:21 Lit the
  7. Luke 11:21 Lit in peace