Luke 11:17

KJV

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)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus powerfully refutes the blasphemous accusation that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebub by exposing the inherent illogicality of their claim. With divine insight into their unspoken thoughts, He articulates a universal principle: any kingdom or household that is internally divided against itself is destined for utter ruin and desolation, thereby demonstrating that Satan would not act against his own interest by empowering Jesus to dismantle his dominion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Jesus performs a miraculous exorcism, casting out a demon that had made a man mute ([Luke 11:14](/luke/11-14 "Luke 11:14 - Jesus Casts Out a Mute Demon")). The crowd's reaction is mixed: some marvel, while others, particularly the religious leaders, accuse Him of performing this powerful act by the authority of Beelzebub, the ruler of demons ([Luke 11:15](/luke/11-15 "Luke 11:15 - The Beelzebul Accusation")). Furthermore, some demand a sign from heaven ([Luke 11:16](/luke/11-16 "Luke 11:16 - Demand for a Sign")). Jesus' statement in [Luke 11:17](/luke/11-17 "Luke 11:17 - A Kingdom Divided") serves as His direct and logical rebuttal to the Beelzebub accusation, establishing a foundational principle before elaborating on the nature of His power and the spiritual battle. This passage parallels accounts in [Matthew 12:22-30](/matthew/12-22-30 "Matthew 12:22-30 - Jesus and Beelzebul") and [Mark 3:20-27](/mark/3-20-27 "Mark 3:20-27 - Jesus and Beelzebul"), underscoring its significance in Jesus' ministry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, the concept of demons and exorcism was well-established, though the source of such power was a point of contention. Beelzebub (or Beelzebul) was a derogatory term for the prince of demons, often associated with Baal-Zebub, a Philistine deity. Accusing Jesus of operating by Beelzebub's power was a grave blasphemy, implying His works were evil and His claims of divine authority were fraudulent. This accusation stemmed from the religious leaders' inability to reconcile Jesus' miraculous power with their rejection of His messianic claims. They sought to discredit Him by attributing His power to demonic sources rather than divine, reflecting a deep-seated spiritual blindness and opposition to God's work through Jesus.

* **Key Themes:** [Luke 11](/luke/11 "Luke 11 - The Lord's Prayer and Jesus' Teachings") as a whole emphasizes Jesus' authority, His teaching on prayer, and the nature of the Kingdom of God. Within this specific pericope, [Luke 11:17](/luke/11-17 "Luke 11:17 - A Kingdom Divided") contributes to several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' divine omniscience**, as He "knowing their thoughts" demonstrates supernatural insight into the hearts and minds of His accusers, a characteristic of God alone. Secondly, it underscores the **nature of spiritual warfare**, revealing that Satan's kingdom, though evil, is not self-destructive; it is unified in its opposition to God. This sets the stage for Jesus' declaration that His power comes from the Spirit of God, signifying the arrival of God's Kingdom ([Luke 11:20](/luke/11-20 "Luke 11:20 - Kingdom of God Has Come")). Finally, the verse establishes a universal **principle of unity and division**: internal conflict leads inevitably to collapse, a truth applicable to any societal structure, from a kingdom to a household, and profoundly relevant to the unity of God's people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **knowing (Greek, _eídō'_):** This word, derived from a primary verb meaning "to see," implies a deep, intuitive understanding, often used in the perfect tense to signify "to know." Here, it highlights Jesus' supernatural cognitive ability to perceive not just words or actions, but the hidden "thoughts" (G1270, _dianóēma_) and intentions of His accusers. This is not mere human deduction but divine insight, underscoring His unique identity and authority.
* **divided (Greek, _diamerízō'_):** From _diá_ (through) and _merízō_ (to divide), this term means to "partition thoroughly" or to be "cloven." It speaks to a fundamental internal split or dissension that fragments a whole into opposing parts. In the context of a kingdom or house, it signifies a deep, irreconcilable schism that prevents cohesion and collective function.
* **is brought to desolation (Greek, _erēmóō'_):** This verb means "to lay waste," "to make desolate," or "to come to nought." It vividly describes the outcome of internal division: utter ruin, abandonment, and destruction. It's not merely a weakening but a complete collapse, emphasizing the inevitable and severe consequences of a lack of unity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he, knowing their thoughts":** This opening phrase immediately establishes Jesus' divine nature. His accusers had not voiced their accusation of Beelzebub's power aloud but had conceived it in their minds. Jesus' ability to discern their unspoken "thoughts" (G1270, _dianóēma_) demonstrates His omniscience, a characteristic attributed only to God. This divine insight grants His subsequent rebuttal undeniable authority and truth.
* **"said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation":** Jesus introduces a universal, self-evident principle. A "kingdom" (G932, _basileía_), representing a large, organized entity, cannot endure if its internal components are in conflict. The phrase "divided against itself" (G1266, _diamerízō_ G1438, _heautoû_) signifies a fundamental schism or civil war within its own structure. The inevitable outcome of such division, "is brought to desolation" (G2049, _erēmóō_), means it will be utterly ruined, laid waste, or destroyed. This serves as the major premise of His logical argument against their accusation.
* **"and a house [divided] against a house falleth.":** Jesus extends the principle from a large "kingdom" to a smaller, more intimate unit, a "house" (G3624, _oîkos_), which can refer to a physical dwelling or a family/household. The implied "divided" emphasizes that even at this foundational level, internal strife leads to collapse. The word "falleth" (G4098, _píptō_) vividly depicts the physical collapse or ruin that results from such internal fracturing. This parallel reinforces the universal truth: unity is essential for survival, and division guarantees destruction, making their accusation against Him illogical if Satan's kingdom were truly divided.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in [Luke 11:17](/luke/11-17 "Luke 11:17 - A Kingdom Divided"). The primary device is **Analogy**, where He draws a parallel between the self-destructive nature of a divided kingdom and a divided house. This analogy serves to illustrate a universal truth through relatable examples, making His logical argument accessible and irrefutable. By applying this principle to the spiritual realm, Jesus exposes the absurdity of the accusation that He casts out demons by Beelzebub's power, as such an act would imply Satan's kingdom is divided against itself, leading to its collapse. Furthermore, there is an element of **Rhetorical Question** implied in His argument, as the very statement "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation" implicitly asks, "Do you truly believe Satan would be so foolish as to destroy his own kingdom?" This forces His accusers to confront the illogic of their own position. Finally, the use of **Parallelism** between "kingdom" and "house" reinforces the universality of the principle, demonstrating that this truth applies at both macro and micro levels of organization.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 11:17 unveils profound theological truths beyond its immediate context as a logical refutation. It underscores the absolute necessity of unity for the strength and survival of any entity, whether human or spiritual. Theologically, it reveals that even the kingdom of darkness, though inherently evil, operates with a perverse form of unity in its opposition to God. This highlights the strategic nature of spiritual warfare, where the enemy's primary tactic is often division within the ranks of God's people. Jesus' statement implicitly asserts His power as being from God, not from Satan, because only a power greater than Satan could effectively invade and dismantle his dominion without causing internal collapse. This sets the stage for understanding Christ's ultimate victory over the forces of evil, achieved not through internal strife within the demonic realm, but through His superior divine authority.

* [Matthew 12:25](/matthew/12-25 "Matthew 12:25 - A Kingdom Divided")
* [Mark 3:24-25](/mark/3-24-25 "Mark 3:24-25 - A Kingdom Divided")
* [1 Corinthians 1:10](/1_corinthians/1-10 "1 Corinthians 1:10 - Appeals for Unity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:17 serves as a timeless warning and a profound call to unity for believers today. Just as a kingdom or house cannot stand if divided, so too the church, the body of Christ, is vulnerable to weakening and collapse when internal strife, discord, and factionalism prevail. This verse compels us to examine our own attitudes and actions: are we contributing to unity or division within our families, churches, and communities? It reminds us that the true enemy is not fellow believers with differing opinions, but the spiritual forces of darkness that seek to sow disunity. Our strength in ministry and witness is directly proportional to our cohesion. Therefore, actively pursuing peace, understanding, and reconciliation, while standing firm on biblical truth, becomes a critical spiritual discipline. We are called to be discerning, recognizing that attempts to divide are often the work of the adversary, and to resist them by upholding the bond of love and truth that unites us in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or community am I witnessing division, and how might this verse speak to those situations?**
* **How does Jesus' ability to "know their thoughts" challenge my understanding of His divine nature and authority?**
* **What practical steps can I take to promote unity and prevent division within my church or family, in light of this teaching?**
* **How can I apply the logical principle of this verse when discerning spiritual attacks or false accusations in my own life?**

### FAQ

**What was the specific accusation Jesus was responding to in Luke 11:17?**

Answer: Jesus was responding to the accusation from some in the crowd, particularly the religious leaders, that He was casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils ([Luke 11:15](/luke/11-15 "Luke 11:15 - The Beelzebul Accusation")). This was a grave charge, implying that Jesus' miraculous works were demonic in origin rather than divine. Jesus' response in [Luke 11:17](/luke/11-17 "Luke 11:17 - A Kingdom Divided") logically refutes this by pointing out that Satan would not empower someone to dismantle his own kingdom, as that would lead to its self-destruction.

**Does this verse imply that Satan's kingdom is unified?**

Answer: Yes, by logical inference, this verse implies that Satan's kingdom, though evil, is not internally divided against itself in a self-destructive way. Jesus' argument is that if He were casting out demons by Beelzebub's power, Satan's own kingdom would be in disarray and would collapse. Since Satan's kingdom clearly had not collapsed, it logically follows that he would not be working against himself. This suggests a perverse unity within the forces of darkness in their opposition to God and humanity, a unity that Jesus, as the Stronger Man ([Luke 11:21-22](/luke/11-21-22 "Luke 11:21-22 - The Stronger Man")), came to overcome.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:17, while a logical refutation of a false accusation, profoundly foreshadows the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' argument that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand implicitly declares that His own mission is to establish a unified, indestructible Kingdom of God, one that is fundamentally opposed to and victorious over the fragmented, self-defeating nature of sin and Satan's dominion. His ability to cast out demons is not a sign of Satanic alliance, but rather the irrefutable evidence that the "Stronger Man" has come ([Luke 11:21-22](/luke/11-21-22 "Luke 11:21-22 - The Stronger Man")) to plunder the house of the strong man (Satan). The ultimate division against Satan's kingdom occurred at the cross, where Christ, through His death and resurrection, disarmed the powers and authorities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")). He came to destroy the works of the devil ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Purpose of the Son of God")) and, by His sacrifice, rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Incarnation and Death")). Thus, Jesus' victory ensures that the Kingdom of God, established through His person and work, will never be divided against itself but will stand eternally, a testament to His sovereign rule and complete triumph over all opposing forces.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 3:23

And he called them [unto him], and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?

Mark 3:27

No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Matthew 12:25

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

Matthew 12:29

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Isaiah 9:20

And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:

Isaiah 9:21

Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: [and] they together [shall be] against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

Isaiah 19:2

And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, [and] kingdom against kingdom.