Luke 11:17

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.

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}.

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

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.

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

Context

Luke 11:17 finds Jesus in the midst of a significant confrontation. After casting out a demon, some in the crowd accused Him of performing this miracle by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils (Luke 11:15). This verse highlights Jesus' divine insight, as He "knowing their thoughts" directly addresses their internal accusations, setting the stage for a powerful logical rebuttal to their blasphemous claim.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Principle of Self-Destruction through Division: The core message is a timeless truth: any entity, whether a kingdom or a household, cannot endure if it is internally divided. Jesus applies this principle to expose the illogical nature of their accusation. If Satan were casting out Satan, his own kingdom would collapse, which is absurd and self-defeating.
  • Jesus' Divine Omniscience: The phrase "knowing their thoughts" underscores Jesus' supernatural ability to discern the hidden motives and judgments of His accusers, demonstrating His divine authority and insight beyond human comprehension.
  • Logical Refutation of Accusation: Jesus uses a universally understood truth to demonstrate the absurdity of claiming He was working with Satan. This argument is also found in Matthew 12:25 and Mark 3:23, highlighting a consistent teaching point in His ministry.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated 'desolation' (Greek: eremóō) implies being made desolate, ruined, or abandoned, emphasizing the utter destruction that results from internal conflict. Similarly, 'falleth' (Greek: piptō) vividly describes a collapse, underscoring the inevitable failure of any system or group lacking internal cohesion.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful warning against internal strife, whether in a family, a church, or any organization. Unity is essential for strength and survival, as division weakens and ultimately destroys. It teaches us to apply sound logic and truth when faced with false accusations or irrational arguments, mirroring Jesus' example.

For believers, it reinforces the understanding that the spiritual battle is against forces of darkness, not against each other. The enemy seeks to divide and conquer, making preserving unity a crucial spiritual discipline within the body of Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 3:23 (11 votes)

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

  • Mark 3:27 (11 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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.