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Read the Bible
King James Version
Matthew 12:26
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
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- CondensedParallel Translations
If Satan
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is diuided against himselfe; how shall then his kingdome stand?
And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
"And if Satan is casting out Satan, he has become divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
And if Satan forces out himself, then Satan is divided against himself, and his kingdom will not continue.
"If Satan casts out Satan [that is, his demons], he has become divided against himself and disunited; how then will his kingdom stand?
So if Satan cast out Satan, he is deuided against himself: how shal then his kingdom endure?
"If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
So if Satan fights against himself, how can his kingdom last?
If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself; so how can his kingdom survive?
And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom subsist?
So if Satan forces out his own demons, then he is fighting against himself, and his kingdom will not survive.
And if Satan cast out Satan. he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
So if one group is fighting another in Satan's kingdom, this means that it is already divided into groups and will soon fall apart!
And if Satan expels Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
And if Satan throws out Satan, he was divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?
And if Satan sends out Satan, he makes war against himself; how then will he keep his kingdom?
If Hasatan casts out Hasatan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
So if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How, then, can his kingdom stand?
And if Sata [fn] cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then standeth his kingdom?
Now if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then doth his kingdom stand?
And if Satan cast out Satan, then is he deuided agaynst him selfe: howe shall then his kingdome endure?
and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?
If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how then shall his kingdom stand?
And if Satan is expelling Satan, he has begun to make war on himself: how therefore shall his kingdom last?
And if Satanas castith out Satanas, he is departid ayens him silf; therfor hou schal his kingdom stonde?
and if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?
And if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?
So if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.
If the devil puts out the devil, he is divided against himself. How will his nation stand?
If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
And, if, Satan, is casting, Satan, out, against himself, hath he become divided, - How then shall, his kingdom, stand?
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how then shall his kingdom stand?
and if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
So if sata cast out sata the is he devyded agenst him sylfe. How shall then his kyngdome endure?
and if the Adversary doth cast out the Adversary, against himself he was divided, how then doth his kingdom stand?
So yf one Sathan cast out another, the is he at variaunce within him self: how maye then his kyngdome endure?
if satan expels satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom last?
If the devil drives himself out, he won't be able to do his job.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
his: John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:13, 1 John 5:19, Revelation 9:11, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 16:10, Revelation 20:2, Revelation 20:3
Reciprocal: Joshua 8:31 - as it is Luke 11:18 - Satan
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And if Satan cast out Satan,.... That is, if Satan, the same with Beelzebub, casts out the rest of the Satans, or other devils, of which he is the prince and head,
he is divided against himself; he acts contrary to his own interest, which is to keep possession of the bodies and souls of men; and consequently it must, in course, be subversive of his power and dominion:
how shall then his kingdom stand? he will never be able to maintain his authority, and keep up the show of a government, as he does: for these words suggest, that there is a form of government among the devils, who are united in one body, under one head; and whose unity and concord are their greatest strength, as in all other governments. Our Lord's argument, and which is his first, for others follow, is, that since Satan, who is so cunning and crafty, can never be thought to act such an opposite part to himself, subversive of his kingdom and government; and which would give so much credit to Christ, and serve so much to strengthen his interest, as to assist him in the casting out of devils; the weakness, and maliciousness of such a suggestion, must be clear and evident to all.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil - See the notes at Matthew 4:24. The same account, substantially, is found in Mark 3:22-27, and Luke 11:14-26.
Matthew 12:23
Is not this the Son of David? - That is, Is not this the promised “descendant” of David, the Messiah? They were acquainted with the prophecy in Isaiah 35:5, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped,” and they inferred that he must be the promised Messiah who was able to do this. This inference was drawn by the common people, and not by the proud and haughty Pharisees. It is not uncommon that people of plain common sense, though unlearned, see the true meaning of the Bible, while those who are filled with pride and science, falsely so called, are blinded.
Matthew 12:24
But when the Pharisees heard it ... - It was necessary for the Pharisees, who had determined to reject Jesus of Nazareth, to account in “some” way for the miracles he had performed.
Here was a manifest miracle, an exertion of power unquestionably superior to what people could put forth. The common people were fast drawing the proper inference from it, and coming into the belief that this was the Messiah. The authority and power of the Pharisees were declining. Unless, therefore, some way should be devised of accounting for these facts, their influence would be at an end. Whatever way of accounting for them was adopted, it was necessary that they should acknowledge that there was “superhuman power.” The people were fully persuaded of this, and no man could deny it. They therefore ascribed it to the prince of the devils - to Beelzebub. In this they had two objects:
- To concede to the people that here was a “miracle,” or a work above mere human power.
- To throw all possible contempt on Jesus. Beelzebub, or Beelzebul, as it is in the Greek, and correctly rendered in the margin, was an opprobrious name given to the leader of the devils as an expression of supreme contempt. See the notes at Matthew 10:25.
Matthew 12:25, Matthew 12:26
And Jesus knew their thoughts ... - To know the thoughts of the heart belongs only to God, Psalms 139:2; Jeremiah 17:10.
Every kingdom ... - Their subtle and cunning device was completely foiled, and Jesus made their argument recoil on their own heads. A kingdom or a family can prosper only by living in harmony. The different parts and members must unite in promoting the same objects. If divided - if one part undoes what the other does - it must fall. So with the kingdom of Satan. It is your doctrine that Satan has “possessed” these whom I have cured. It is also your doctrine that he has helped me to cure them. If so, then he has helped me to undo what he had done. He has aided me to cast himself out - that is, to oppose and discomfit himself. At this rate, how can there be any stability in his kingdom? It must fall, and Satan must have less than human prudence.
Matthew 12:27
By whom do your children cast them out? - Your disciples; your followers.
See the notes at Matthew 1:1. Christ was not satisfied by showing them the intrinsic absurdity of their argument. He showed them that it might as well be applied to them as to him. your disciples, taught by you and encouraged by you, pretend to cast out devils. If your argument be true that a man who casts out devils must be in league with the devil, then “your disciples” have made a covenant with him also. You must therefore either give up this argument, or admit that the working of miracles is proof of the assistance of God.
Therefore they shall be your judges - They condemn you and your argument. They are conclusive witnesses against the force of your reasoning.
Matthew 12:28
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God ... - The Spirit of God, here, means the “power” of God - in Luke, by the “finger” of God.
Compare Exodus 8:19; Psalms 8:3. If this work is not by the aid of Satan, then it is by the aid of God. Then his kingdom, or “reign,” is come, Matthew 3:2. The reign of Satan over people, and the reign of God are in opposition. If God expels Satan from his dominion over people, then his reign has come.
Matthew 12:29
Or else ... - The Saviour makes use of a new illustration to confute the Pharisees, drawn from breaking into a house.
A man could not break into the house of a strong man and take his property unless he had rendered the man himself helpless. If he had taken his goods, it would therefore be sufficient proof that he had bound the man. So I, says he, have taken this “property - this possessed person” - from the dominion of Satan. It is clear proof that I have subdued “Satan himself,” the “strong” being that had him in possession. The words “or else” mean “or how:” “How, or in what way, can one, etc.”
Spoil his goods - The word “spoil” commonly means, now, to corrupt, injure, or destroy. Here it means “to plunder,” to take with violence, as it commonly does in the Bible. See Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:15; Exodus 3:22.
Matthew 12:30
He that is not with me ... - In addition to his other arguments, Jesus urges this general principle, that there can be but two parties in the universe.
If anyone did not act with him, he was against him. If he gathered not with him, he scattered. This is taken from the practice of persons in harvest. He that did not gather with him, or “aid” him, scattered abroad, or opposed him. The application of this was, “As I have not united with Satan, but opposed him, there can be no league between us.” The charge, therefore, is a false one.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Matthew 12:26. If Satan cast out Satan — A good cause will produce a good effect, and an evil cause an evil effect. Were I on Satan's side, I would act for his interest and confirm his influence among you; but I oppose his maxims by my doctrine, and his influence by my power.
