Luke 11:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.

Complete Jewish Bible:

So if the Adversary too is divided against himself, how can his kingdom survive? I’m asking because you claim it is by Ba‘al-Zibbul that I drive out the demons.

Berean Standard Bible:

If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul.

American Standard Version:

And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

If^{{G1161}{G1499}} Satan^{G4567} also^{G1499} be divided^{G1266} against^{G1909} himself^{G1438}, how^{G4459} shall^{G2476} his^{G846} kingdom^{G932} stand^{G2476}? because^{G3754} ye say^{G3004} that I^{G3165} cast out^{G1544} devils^{G1140} through^{G1722} Beelzebub^{G954}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Luke 11:18

Luke 11:18 is part of a larger passage where Jesus is addressing accusations made by some of the Jewish leaders that He is casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, which is another name for Satan. This verse is situated within the context of Jesus' ministry of healing and exorcism, which was a sign of the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God. The historical context includes the widespread belief in the power of spirits and the presence of various exorcists in Jewish and Hellenistic cultures.

In this verse, Jesus uses a logical argument to refute the claim that He is in league with Satan. He posits that if Satan were to oppose his own agents (the demons being cast out), it would lead to internal conflict and the eventual downfall of his kingdom. The argument is that it would be counterproductive and irrational for Satan to empower someone to cast out his own minions, as it would undermine his power and purpose.

The themes present in this verse include the nature of spiritual authority and the battle between good and evil. Jesus is emphasizing that His power comes from God and that His actions are a manifestation of the divine kingdom's triumph over the forces of darkness. The verse also touches on the idea of unity and division within a kingdom or domain, suggesting that internal strife leads to weakness and collapse.

Furthermore, this verse highlights the importance of discerning the source of one's power and the significance of Jesus' miracles as evidence of His divine mission. It challenges the listeners to recognize the contradiction in attributing the work of God to the devil, and it underscores the need for spiritual clarity and understanding in evaluating the signs of the times.

In summary, Luke 11:18 is a pointed response by Jesus to the charge that His exorcisms are accomplished through satanic agency. By reasoning that Satan would not act against his own interests, Jesus reinforces the message that His ministry is bringing about the defeat of evil and the establishment of God's kingdom. This verse underscores the themes of spiritual discernment, the nature of divine power, and the conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.

*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: G1499
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰ καί
   Transliteration: ei kaí
   Pronunciation: i kahee
   Description: from εἰ and καί; if also (or even):--if (that), though.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4567
   There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Σατανᾶς
   Transliteration: Satanâs
   Pronunciation: sat-an-as'
   Description: of Chaldee origin corresponding to מַעְבָּד (with the definite affix); the accuser, i.e. the devil:--Satan.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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).
   
6. 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).
   
7. Strong's Number: G4459
   There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πῶς
   Transliteration: pōs
   Pronunciation: poce
   Description: adverb from the base of ποῦ; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!:--how, after (by) what manner (means), that. (Occasionally unexpressed in English).
   
8. Strong's Number: G2476
   There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἵστημι
   Transliteration: hístēmi
   Pronunciation: stah'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively):--abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare τίθημι.
   
9. 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.
   
10. 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.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3754
    There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅτι
    Transliteration: hóti
    Pronunciation: hot'-ee
    Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3004
    There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λέγω
    Transliteration: légō
    Pronunciation: leg'-o
    Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
    
13. Strong's Number: G3165
    There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μέ
    Transliteration: mé
    Pronunciation: meh
    Description: a shorter (and probably original) form of ἐμέ; me:--I, me, my.
    
14. Strong's Number: G1544
    There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκβάλλω
    Transliteration: ekbállō
    Pronunciation: ek-bal'-lo
    Description: from ἐκ and βάλλω; to eject (literally or figuratively):--bring forth, cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, pluck (pull, take, thrust) out, put forth (out), send away (forth, out).
    
15. Strong's Number: G1140
    There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δαιμόνιον
    Transliteration: daimónion
    Pronunciation: dahee-mon'-ee-on
    Description: neuter of a derivative of δαίμων; a dæmonic being; by extension a deity:--devil, god.
    
16. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
    
17. Strong's Number: G954
    There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Βεελζεβούλ
    Transliteration: Beelzeboúl
    Pronunciation: beh-el-zeb-ool'
    Description: of Chaldee origin (by parody on בַּעַל זְבוּב); dung-god; Beelzebul, a name of Satan:--Beelzebub.