Parable of the Divided Kingdom: Matthew 12:24, Mark 3:22, Luke 11:14
by Owen Borville
February 6, 2019
Bible
Jesus describes the Parable of the Divided Kingdom in Matthew 12:24-30. After Jesus had just healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, the Pharisees accused Jesus of "having a devil." The parable is also described in Mark 3:22-27 and Luke 11:14-23.
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” Matthew 12:24.
However, Jesus countered and explained that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand and therefore, Satan cannot cast out himself. Jesus then explained that it is by the Spirit of God that he casts out demons.
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matthew 12:25-28.
Jesus also used the example of taking possessions from a strong man's house. In order to take from a strong man's house, one must tie down the strong man, and then one can take his possessions. Likewise, Satan cannot cast out himself from a man's body and only the Spirit of God can do it.
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. Matthew 12:29.
Jesus then explained that "whoever is not with me is against me" in relation to the Pharisees refusal to accept him. Then Jesus discusses the "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" and implies that the accusal of Jesus having a devil is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
"30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." Matthew 12: 30-32.
by Owen Borville
February 6, 2019
Bible
Jesus describes the Parable of the Divided Kingdom in Matthew 12:24-30. After Jesus had just healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, the Pharisees accused Jesus of "having a devil." The parable is also described in Mark 3:22-27 and Luke 11:14-23.
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” Matthew 12:24.
However, Jesus countered and explained that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand and therefore, Satan cannot cast out himself. Jesus then explained that it is by the Spirit of God that he casts out demons.
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matthew 12:25-28.
Jesus also used the example of taking possessions from a strong man's house. In order to take from a strong man's house, one must tie down the strong man, and then one can take his possessions. Likewise, Satan cannot cast out himself from a man's body and only the Spirit of God can do it.
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. Matthew 12:29.
Jesus then explained that "whoever is not with me is against me" in relation to the Pharisees refusal to accept him. Then Jesus discusses the "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" and implies that the accusal of Jesus having a devil is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
"30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." Matthew 12: 30-32.
