Matthew 12:28

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you!

Berean Standard Bible:

But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

American Standard Version:

But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} if^{G1487} I^{G1473} cast out^{G1544} devils^{G1140} by^{G1722} the Spirit^{G4151} of God^{G2316}, then^{G686} the kingdom^{G932} of God^{G2316} is come^{G5348} unto^{G1909} you^{G5209}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Matthew 12:28

Matthew 12:28 is a statement made by Jesus Christ in the context of a dispute with the Pharisees, who had just accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. In this verse, Jesus refutes their claim by asserting that if He is driving out demons by the Spirit of God, it is a clear sign that God's kingdom is already at work among them.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the religious and political climate of 1st-century Palestine, where Jewish leaders were often in conflict with Jesus over His teachings and miracles. These leaders were expecting a messianic king who would restore Israel's political power, but Jesus was presenting a different vision of the kingdom of God—one that was spiritual and present in His ministry of healing and deliverance.

The themes present in this verse include the confrontation between the power of God and the forces of evil, the authenticity of Jesus' authority and divine mission, and the inauguration of the kingdom of God in the person and works of Jesus. By attributing His ability to exorcise demons to the Spirit of God, Jesus is making a bold claim about His unique relationship with God and the inbreaking of God's reign on earth, which was not a future event but a reality being enacted through His actions.

In essence, Matthew 12:28 encapsulates the heart of Jesus' message about the presence of the kingdom of God, His role as its herald, and the transformative power available through the Spirit of God, which was evident in His miracles and teaching. This verse challenges the listener to recognize the divine origin of Jesus' power and the salvific implications of His ministry for those who would receive it.

*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: G1487
   There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰ
   Transliteration: ei
   Pronunciation: i
   Description: a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μή(γε), εἰ καί, εἰ μή, εἰ μή τι, εἴ περ, εἴ πως, εἴ τις, ἐκ. See also ἐάν.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1473
   There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐγώ
   Transliteration: egṓ
   Pronunciation: eg-o'
   Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
   
4. 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).
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4151
   There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πνεῦμα
   Transliteration: pneûma
   Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
   Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2316
   There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θεός
   Transliteration: theós
   Pronunciation: theh'-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
   
9. Strong's Number: G686
   There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄρα
   Transliteration: ára
   Pronunciation: ar'-ah
   Description: probably from αἴρω (through the idea of drawing a conclusion); a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows):--haply, (what) manner (of man), no doubt, perhaps, so be, then, therefore, truly, wherefore. Often used in connection with other particles, especially γέ or οὖν (after) or εἰ (before). Compare also ἆρα.
   
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: G5348
    There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: φθάνω
    Transliteration: phthánō
    Pronunciation: fthan'-o
    Description: apparently a primary verb; to be beforehand, i.e. anticipate or precede; by extension, to have arrived at:--(already) attain, come, prevent.
    
12. 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).
    
13. Strong's Number: G5209
    There are 388 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμᾶς
    Transliteration: hymâs
    Pronunciation: hoo-mas'
    Description: accusative case of ὑμεῖς; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).