Luke 11:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:18 presents Jesus' incisive rebuttal to the accusation that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Through a profound logical argument, Jesus exposes the absurdity of His accusers' claim, asserting that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. This statement not only highlights the internal consistency of Satan's dominion in its opposition to God but also implicitly affirms that Jesus' power over evil originates from a source fundamentally opposed to Satan, namely God Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a critical exchange following Jesus' powerful exorcism of a mute demon in [Luke 11:14](/luke/11-14 "Luke 11:14 - Jesus Casts Out a Mute Demon"). The miraculous healing prompts varied reactions: some marvel, while others, particularly the religious leaders, accuse Jesus of operating by the power of "Beelzebub, the prince of demons." Jesus' response, beginning in [Luke 11:17](/luke/11-17 "Luke 11:17 - Jesus' Response to Accusations"), is a masterful display of logical reasoning designed to expose the malicious and illogical nature of their slander. He first points out the self-defeating nature of a divided kingdom (Luke 11:18), then challenges them to consider the source of their own exorcists' power (Luke 11:19), before unequivocally stating that His power comes from the "finger of God," signifying the arrival of the [Kingdom of God](/luke/11-20 "Luke 11:20 - The Kingdom of God Has Come"). Parallel accounts of this confrontation and Jesus' argument can be found in [Matthew 12:22-30](/matthew/12-22-30 "Matthew 12:22-30 - The Beelzebul Controversy") and [Mark 3:20-30](/mark/3-20-30 "Mark 3:20-30 - The Unpardonable Sin and Beelzebul").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, the belief in demons and the practice of exorcism were widespread. Exorcists, both Jewish and Gentile, were known to operate, often employing various incantations or rituals. "Beelzebub" (Greek: _Beelzeboul_) was a highly derogatory Jewish term for the prince of demons, often equated with Satan himself. It is likely a Hellenized form of "Baal-Zebub," a Philistine deity worshipped in Ekron, meaning "lord of flies" or possibly "lord of the high dwelling" ([2 Kings 1:2](/2_kings/1-2 "2 Kings 1:2 - Ahaziah Inquires of Baal-Zebub")). By accusing Jesus of casting out demons through Beelzebub, the religious leaders were attempting to completely delegitimize His ministry, aligning Him with the ultimate source of evil and thereby denying His divine authority and the true nature of His miracles. This accusation was a direct challenge to Jesus' identity and mission, aimed at turning the crowds against Him.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **clash of kingdoms**: Jesus' exorcisms are not random acts but direct assaults on the kingdom of Satan, demonstrating the inbreaking of the [Kingdom of God](/luke/11-20 "Luke 11:20 - The Kingdom of God has come by the finger of God"). Secondly, it underscores **Jesus' divine authority and power** over evil. His ability to cast out demons, unlike other exorcists, is presented as an undeniable sign of God's presence and power working through Him. Thirdly, the passage reveals the **spiritual blindness and malice of Jesus' opponents**. Despite witnessing undeniable miracles, they attribute divine power to demonic influence, showcasing their hardened hearts and resistance to God's truth. Finally, it illustrates the **logical consistency of evil's opposition to God**. While internally chaotic, Satan's kingdom maintains a unified front against God's purposes, making the idea of Satan working against himself utterly illogical.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Satan (Greek, _Satanâs'_):** This term, derived from a Chaldean origin, means "the accuser" or "adversary." In this context, it refers to the chief of evil spirits, the devil, who stands in direct opposition to God and His purposes. Jesus' use of this name acknowledges the reality and unified nature of the demonic realm under its leader.
* **divided (Greek, _diamerízō'_):** This verb signifies "to partition thoroughly," implying a complete separation or dissension. When applied to a kingdom, it suggests internal strife, disunity, or civil war that leads to self-destruction. Jesus uses this word to describe an internal conflict so severe that it would inevitably lead to the collapse of Satan's dominion.
* **kingdom (Greek, _basileía'_):** This noun refers to "royalty," "rule," or "a realm." Here, it concretely denotes the sphere of Satan's dominion, his realm of authority and influence over evil spirits and the world. Jesus' argument hinges on the principle that any established realm, whether earthly or spiritual, requires a degree of internal coherence and unity to maintain its existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If Satan also be divided against himself":** Jesus begins with a hypothetical premise, directly addressing the accusers' illogical claim. He posits a scenario where Satan, the leader of the demonic realm, would actively work against his own established power structure. This implies internal conflict, dissension, and a lack of unity within the demonic forces.
* **"how shall his kingdom stand?":** This is a rhetorical question that immediately follows the premise. The implied answer is "it cannot." Jesus uses a universally understood principle—that any organized entity, be it a family, a city, or a kingdom, cannot long survive if it is internally divided and fighting against itself. This highlights the absurdity of the accusation that Jesus, by casting out demons, is somehow working for Satan. If Jesus were truly acting on Satan's behalf, He would be weakening Satan's own kingdom, which is counterproductive to Satan's goals.
* **"because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.":** This clause explicitly states the accusation Jesus is refuting. The accusers attributed Jesus' power over demons to Beelzebub, the chief demon, implying a pact or alliance between Jesus and Satan. Jesus' argument in the preceding clauses demonstrates the logical fallacy of this accusation: if He were truly working for Beelzebub, He would be undermining Satan's kingdom, which Satan would never allow. Therefore, Jesus' power must come from a source fundamentally opposed to Satan, unequivocally pointing to God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices**. Central to Jesus' argument is a **rhetorical question** ("how shall his kingdom stand?"), which is designed not to elicit an answer but to make an obvious point, exposing the inherent contradiction in the accusers' logic. This serves as a form of **reductio ad absurdum**, reducing their accusation to an absurd and illogical conclusion. The concept of a "kingdom" serves as a **metaphor** for any organized entity, whether political or spiritual, emphasizing the necessity of internal unity for its survival. Furthermore, there is an underlying **irony**: those who claim to be guardians of God's law are so spiritually blind that they attribute God's work to the very forces of evil they claim to oppose, while Jesus, the embodiment of divine power, is slandered as an agent of darkness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 11:18 profoundly illuminates the nature of spiritual warfare and the absolute supremacy of Christ. The verse establishes that while evil is inherently chaotic and destructive, Satan's kingdom operates with a strategic, albeit malevolent, unity in its opposition to God. It would not engage in self-sabotage by empowering Jesus to dismantle its own ranks. Therefore, Jesus' ability to cast out demons is irrefutable evidence that His power originates from God, signifying the direct confrontation and advance of God's Kingdom against Satan's dominion. This encounter is not merely an exorcism but a decisive spiritual battle, showcasing Jesus as the "stronger man" who has come to plunder Satan's house.

* [Matthew 12:28](/matthew/12-28 "Matthew 12:28 - The Kingdom of God Has Come")
* [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")
* [1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - The Son of God Appeared to Destroy the Works of the Devil")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:18 offers vital insights for believers navigating a world filled with spiritual realities and conflicting claims. It calls us to cultivate spiritual discernment, recognizing that genuine divine power is always consistent with God's character and purposes, never self-contradictory or aligned with evil. We are reminded to critically evaluate accusations against God's work, especially when they are illogical or driven by malice, as Jesus did with His accusers. The verse also reinforces the reality of spiritual warfare, assuring us that while Satan's kingdom is unified in its opposition to God, it is ultimately vulnerable to the superior power of Christ. Our confidence should rest in Jesus' undeniable authority over all demonic forces, knowing that He has already triumphed over the prince of darkness. This truth empowers us to stand firm in faith, trusting in His victory and participating in the ongoing advance of His Kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' logical argument challenge our own assumptions or biases when evaluating spiritual phenomena or claims of divine power?**
* **In what ways might we, like the accusers, be tempted to attribute God's work to other sources, or to resist truth due to our own spiritual blindness or preconceived notions?**
* **How does Jesus' complete authority over evil, as demonstrated in this passage, strengthen your confidence in His ability to protect and deliver you in spiritual battles today?**

### FAQ

**Why was Jesus accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub?**

Answer: Jesus was accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub primarily due to the spiritual blindness and malicious intent of the religious leaders and some onlookers. They could not deny the undeniable miracle of the exorcism ([Luke 11:14](/luke/11-14 "Luke 11:14 - Jesus Casts Out a Mute Demon")), yet they refused to acknowledge its divine source. Instead of accepting that Jesus' power came from God, which would have challenged their authority and worldview, they resorted to the most extreme and blasphemous accusation: that He was in league with Satan, operating under the authority of "Beelzebub," the prince of demons. This accusation was an attempt to discredit Jesus, undermine His ministry, and turn the people against Him by associating Him with the ultimate evil.

**What does Jesus' argument about a "divided kingdom" teach us about Satan's kingdom?**

Answer: Jesus' argument in [Luke 11:18](/luke/11-18 "Luke 11:18 - A Kingdom Divided Cannot Stand") teaches us a crucial truth about Satan's kingdom: despite its inherent evil and chaotic nature, it possesses a strategic unity in its opposition to God. Satan's primary goal is to oppose God's will and thwart the advance of His Kingdom. Therefore, it would be illogical and self-defeating for Satan to empower Jesus, who is actively dismantling his dominion through exorcisms. A kingdom, whether earthly or spiritual, cannot long endure if its internal forces are working against each other. By demonstrating this logical inconsistency, Jesus highlights that His power is not from Satan but from God, signifying that the [Kingdom of God](/luke/11-20 "Luke 11:20 - The Kingdom of God has come by the finger of God") has indeed arrived to conquer the kingdom of darkness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:18, while a logical rebuttal, points profoundly to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' argument about a kingdom divided against itself underscores that His exorcisms were not random acts of healing but direct assaults on the very gates of hell, demonstrating the inbreaking of God's sovereign rule. He is the "stronger man" who has come to bind the "strong man" (Satan) and plunder his house, as described in [Luke 11:21-22](/luke/11-21-22 "Luke 11:21-22 - The Strong Man Guarding His Palace"). Every demon cast out was a tangible sign that the dominion of darkness was being overthrown by the light of God's Kingdom, embodied in Christ. This foreshadows Jesus' ultimate victory over Satan through His death and resurrection, where He "disarmed the powers and authorities" and "made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). He did not come to ally with evil, but to utterly destroy its works ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - The Son of God Appeared to Destroy the Works of the Devil")), liberating humanity from its bondage and establishing His eternal reign. Thus, Luke 11:18 is a powerful declaration of Christ's supreme authority and His decisive triumph over all the forces of darkness.

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

Matthew 12:26

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

Matthew 12:31

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

Matthew 12:34

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Matthew 4:10

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Luke 11:15

But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

James 3:5

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

James 3:8

But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.