Jesus and Beelzebub^(A)

¹⁴ He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the crowd marveled. ¹⁵ But some of them said, “He casts out demons through Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” ¹⁶ Others, testing Him, asked Him for a sign from heaven.

¹⁷ But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is made desolate. And a house divided against itself falls. ¹⁸ If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons through Beelzebub. ¹⁹ Now if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰ But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, no doubt the kingdom of God has come upon you.

²¹ “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are peacefully kept. ²² But when a stronger man than he attacks and overpowers him, he seizes all the armor in which the man trusted and divides his spoils.

²³ “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.