14 And
He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone
out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out
demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” 16 Others, testing Him, sought from
Him a sign from heaven. 17 But
He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every
kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided
against a house falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?
Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 19 And 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, surely the kingdom
of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are
in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes
from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He who is not with Me is against
Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. 24 “When an unclean spirit goes out
of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says,
‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when he comes, he finds it
swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more
wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state
of that man is worse than the first.” 27 And it happened, as He spoke these things,
that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is
the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” 28 But He said, “More
than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Commentary
Vs. 14 “And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled.”
The scene now moves to time when Jesus in full public view casts out a demon who had made a man mute, that is unable to speak. And so, it was that after He had cast it out that the multitudes marveled. And though they may not have immediately understood that He was the Son of God, Jesus’ Person and His ability to do so was to them Someone who is quite exceptional and out of the ordinary.
Vs. 15-16 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” 16 Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven.
Now mixed amongst those in the multitude who marveled were Jesus’ enemies and those who did not believe, who seeing what He did and seeing and hearing crowd’s response quickly sought to undermine the seeds of faith that He had just sown by casting out the demon. And so, they began to say: “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” While those who did not believe what Jesus had just done began to test Him, and they sought a sign from heaven from Him. Now they’re response to the merciful work of God in their midst is not unlike what Jesus’ enemies do today when they too see God’s people do or say charitable or merciful or just things, for they too will seek to undermine the work, witness, or testimony of the Lords people whenever they see or perceive that someone’s heart has been moved by what they did or said. That said the brazen blasphemous charge that they lay on the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is casting out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons, (i.e. casting out demons by the devil’s person and power) does not and cannot go unchallenged by the Lord.
Vs. 17-20 17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 19 And 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, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Jesus then knowing their thoughts, plainly exposes to them the fundamental error in their reasoning such things about Him, by saying to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. Vs. 17-18
Therefore, it is absurd to think that Jesus was casting out demons by Beelzebub (a reference to Satan) because then Satan would only be destroying his own house and kingdom. Jesus’ next point in verse nineteen is that if He was casting out demons by Beelzebub, who were their sons casting them out by? For there were then Jews who were casting out demons and no one charged them with casting them out by Beelzebub, but if they now reasoned that Jesus was casting them out by Beelzebub then their own sons (i.e. people) must be doing the same, which would’ve been impossible for them to accept or think as much about themselves. The Lord Jesus Christ then in refuting the blasphemous charges against Him now tells them that He is casting out demons by the finger of God, then surely the Kingdom of God has come to them. And yet here they are only accusing Him of being an agent of Satan! Therefore Jesus says that their sons who cast out demons will be their judges, because they were doing so by the assistance of God.
Vs. 21-23 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
Therefore, Jesus to make His point even more clear that He is casting out demons by the finger, i.e. the Spirit of God, now uses an analogy of a fully armed strong man who in guarding his own palace his goods are at peace (i.e. they are protected). This then is Satan when he has seized someone or something for himself (vs. 21). However, Jesus says when someone stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoils (vs. 22). This then is the Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom overtaking Satan’s. For that is what occurred when Jesus cast the demon out of the mute man by the finger of God. For Jesus did not even need the whole arm or strength of God to do so! The Lord Jesus Christ then having revealed as much to them about Himself now says to them (and us all), “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” There is then no neutrality with the Lord Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, for you are either with Him or you will be against Him. But you will not be neutral regarding Him.
Vs. 24-26 24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
In this His finial rebuke of His detractors, the Lord Jesus Christ now turns the table on all those who said He was casting out demons by Satan, by giving an analogy of man once cured of a demon spirit, which then left him. This then is the individual or nation that has an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, for when one does by default Satan gives way and flees. However as with the man in this parable who has the demon leave him, when the demon leaves him and finds no place to rest he then returns to his house from which he came, and finding it swept and put in order he goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than himself and they enter and dwell there. Now when that happens Jesus says the last state of that man is worse than the first. And so it is that while Jesus was amongst the people that they enjoyed (whether they realized it or not) the Person and Presence of the King and the Kingdom of God in their midst. Thus, spiritually their house was swept and put in order, however when they reject and crucify the Lord Jesus Christ their house is soon retaken by Satan and his evil forces, and so the last state of that nation or person will be worse than the first! This then is a warning to one and all not to take lightly the Lord Jesus Christ and His offer of eternal redemption for one and all who repent and believe in Him!
Vs. 27-28 27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” 28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Now while Jesus was speaking there was a woman who upon hearing Him was so greatly moved by what He said that she cried out: “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” 28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” vs. 27-28
Now in Jesus response there is no adoration of Mary simply because she was chosen to birth Him. Therefore, she is not then to be esteemed or exalted above anyone else who believes in Him. For it is the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone who is to be highly esteemed and highly exalted! And this is clearly true in the early church where Mary’s person and name do not bear any more significance than anyone else’s there. For indeed none of the Apostles or church elders are found consulting her, (and if she had passed away by that time), they certainly were not praying to her. Therefore, Mary was blessed in being chosen by God to birth the Lord Jesus Christ but way beyond that is as Jesus says everyone who hears and keeps the Word of God, for that is the only true measure of being a disciple, again, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” vs. 27-28
Therefore, far more important than one’s genealogical connection to someone who is renowned or highly regarded in the church is one’s spiritual birthright to God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. For that is what matters, hearing and keeping the Words and commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ which, anyone can do and thus be blessed by God.
Commentary
Vs. 14 “And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled.”
The scene now moves to time when Jesus in full public view casts out a demon who had made a man mute, that is unable to speak. And so, it was that after He had cast it out that the multitudes marveled. And though they may not have immediately understood that He was the Son of God, Jesus’ Person and His ability to do so was to them Someone who is quite exceptional and out of the ordinary.
Vs. 15-16 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” 16 Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven.
Now mixed amongst those in the multitude who marveled were Jesus’ enemies and those who did not believe, who seeing what He did and seeing and hearing crowd’s response quickly sought to undermine the seeds of faith that He had just sown by casting out the demon. And so, they began to say: “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” While those who did not believe what Jesus had just done began to test Him, and they sought a sign from heaven from Him. Now they’re response to the merciful work of God in their midst is not unlike what Jesus’ enemies do today when they too see God’s people do or say charitable or merciful or just things, for they too will seek to undermine the work, witness, or testimony of the Lords people whenever they see or perceive that someone’s heart has been moved by what they did or said. That said the brazen blasphemous charge that they lay on the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is casting out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons, (i.e. casting out demons by the devil’s person and power) does not and cannot go unchallenged by the Lord.
Vs. 17-20 17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 19 And 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, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Jesus then knowing their thoughts, plainly exposes to them the fundamental error in their reasoning such things about Him, by saying to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. Vs. 17-18
Therefore, it is absurd to think that Jesus was casting out demons by Beelzebub (a reference to Satan) because then Satan would only be destroying his own house and kingdom. Jesus’ next point in verse nineteen is that if He was casting out demons by Beelzebub, who were their sons casting them out by? For there were then Jews who were casting out demons and no one charged them with casting them out by Beelzebub, but if they now reasoned that Jesus was casting them out by Beelzebub then their own sons (i.e. people) must be doing the same, which would’ve been impossible for them to accept or think as much about themselves. The Lord Jesus Christ then in refuting the blasphemous charges against Him now tells them that He is casting out demons by the finger of God, then surely the Kingdom of God has come to them. And yet here they are only accusing Him of being an agent of Satan! Therefore Jesus says that their sons who cast out demons will be their judges, because they were doing so by the assistance of God.
Vs. 21-23 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
Therefore, Jesus to make His point even more clear that He is casting out demons by the finger, i.e. the Spirit of God, now uses an analogy of a fully armed strong man who in guarding his own palace his goods are at peace (i.e. they are protected). This then is Satan when he has seized someone or something for himself (vs. 21). However, Jesus says when someone stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoils (vs. 22). This then is the Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom overtaking Satan’s. For that is what occurred when Jesus cast the demon out of the mute man by the finger of God. For Jesus did not even need the whole arm or strength of God to do so! The Lord Jesus Christ then having revealed as much to them about Himself now says to them (and us all), “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” There is then no neutrality with the Lord Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, for you are either with Him or you will be against Him. But you will not be neutral regarding Him.
Vs. 24-26 24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
In this His finial rebuke of His detractors, the Lord Jesus Christ now turns the table on all those who said He was casting out demons by Satan, by giving an analogy of man once cured of a demon spirit, which then left him. This then is the individual or nation that has an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, for when one does by default Satan gives way and flees. However as with the man in this parable who has the demon leave him, when the demon leaves him and finds no place to rest he then returns to his house from which he came, and finding it swept and put in order he goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than himself and they enter and dwell there. Now when that happens Jesus says the last state of that man is worse than the first. And so it is that while Jesus was amongst the people that they enjoyed (whether they realized it or not) the Person and Presence of the King and the Kingdom of God in their midst. Thus, spiritually their house was swept and put in order, however when they reject and crucify the Lord Jesus Christ their house is soon retaken by Satan and his evil forces, and so the last state of that nation or person will be worse than the first! This then is a warning to one and all not to take lightly the Lord Jesus Christ and His offer of eternal redemption for one and all who repent and believe in Him!
Vs. 27-28 27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” 28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Now while Jesus was speaking there was a woman who upon hearing Him was so greatly moved by what He said that she cried out: “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” 28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” vs. 27-28
Now in Jesus response there is no adoration of Mary simply because she was chosen to birth Him. Therefore, she is not then to be esteemed or exalted above anyone else who believes in Him. For it is the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone who is to be highly esteemed and highly exalted! And this is clearly true in the early church where Mary’s person and name do not bear any more significance than anyone else’s there. For indeed none of the Apostles or church elders are found consulting her, (and if she had passed away by that time), they certainly were not praying to her. Therefore, Mary was blessed in being chosen by God to birth the Lord Jesus Christ but way beyond that is as Jesus says everyone who hears and keeps the Word of God, for that is the only true measure of being a disciple, again, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” vs. 27-28
Therefore, far more important than one’s genealogical connection to someone who is renowned or highly regarded in the church is one’s spiritual birthright to God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. For that is what matters, hearing and keeping the Words and commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ which, anyone can do and thus be blessed by God.
Scripture Quotations
New King James Version (1982): Thomas Nelson
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