Luke 11:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But he, knowing what they were thinking, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, with one house collapsing on another.

Berean Standard Bible:

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall.

American Standard Version:

But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} he^{G846}, knowing^{G1492} their^{G846} thoughts^{G1270}, said^{G2036} unto them^{G846}, Every^{G3956} kingdom^{G932} divided^{G1266} against^{G1909} itself^{G1438} is brought to desolation^{G2049}; and^{G2532} a house^{G3624} divided against^{G1909} a house^{G3624} falleth^{G4098}.

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Commentary for Luke 11:17

Luke 11:17 is a verse where Jesus is responding to the accusation that he casts out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and the crowds, explaining the source of his authority and the nature of the spiritual battle against evil.

The historical context of this verse is set during the ministry of Jesus in the regions of Galilee and Judea, where he was gaining fame as a teacher and a miracle worker. The Pharisees, a prominent Jewish religious sect, were often in opposition to Jesus, challenging his authority and teachings.

In the verse, Jesus uses a well-known proverb about a kingdom or a house divided against itself to illustrate the absurdity of the Pharisees' accusation. The central theme here is unity and the destructive consequences of internal division. Jesus argues that it would be illogical and self-defeating for Satan to cast out his own minions, as this would only weaken his dominion. By stating that "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation," Jesus emphasizes that internal conflict leads to ruin and that Satan's kingdom, like any other, would not survive such self-inflicted division.

This verse underscores the consistency and coherence of Jesus' mission and the source of his power, which is from God and not from the realm of darkness. It also serves as a broader metaphor for the importance of unity within communities, whether they be familial, societal, or spiritual. The principle that division leads to downfall is a timeless wisdom that has implications beyond the immediate spiritual context, applying to all forms of social and political organization.

In summary, Luke 11:17 reflects the unity and divine authority of Jesus' work, rebuts the malicious accusations of his opponents, and imparts a universal truth about the destructive nature of internal division within any sphere of human activity.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1492
   There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδω
   Transliteration: eídō
   Pronunciation: i'-do
   Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1270
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διανόημα
   Transliteration: dianóēma
   Pronunciation: dee-an-o'-ay-mah
   Description: from a compound of διά and νοιέω; something thought through, i.e. a sentiment:--thought.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3956
   There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πᾶς
   Transliteration: pâs
   Pronunciation: pas
   Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
   
7. Strong's Number: G932
   There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βασιλεία
   Transliteration: basileía
   Pronunciation: bas-il-i'-ah
   Description: from βασιλεύς; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively):--kingdom, + reign.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1266
   There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διαμερίζω
   Transliteration: diamerízō
   Pronunciation: dee-am-er-id'-zo
   Description: from διά and μερίζω; to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension):--cloven, divide, part.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1909
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπί
   Transliteration: epí
   Pronunciation: ep-ee'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
   
10. Strong's Number: G1438
    There are 312 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἑαυτοῦ
    Transliteration: heautoû
    Pronunciation: heh-ow-too'
    Description: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of αὐτός; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
    
11. Strong's Number: G2049
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐρημόω
    Transliteration: erēmóō
    Pronunciation: er-ay-mo'-o
    Description: from ἔρημος; to lay waste (literally or figuratively):--(bring to, make) desolate(-ion), come to nought.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
13. Strong's Number: G3624
    There are 106 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οἶκος
    Transliteration: oîkos
    Pronunciation: oy'-kos
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively):--home, house(-hold), temple.
    
14. Strong's Number: G4098
    There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πίπτω
    Transliteration: píptō
    Pronunciation: pet'-o
    Description: probably akin to πέτομαι through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally or figuratively):--fail, fall (down), light on.