Mark 3:22

¶ And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

And {G2532} the scribes {G1122} which {G3588} came down {G2597} from {G575} Jerusalem {G2414} said {G3004},{G3754} He hath {G2192} Beelzebub {G954},{G3754} and {G2532} by {G1722} the prince {G758} of the devils {G1140} casteth he out {G1544} devils {G1140}.

The Torah-teachers who came down from Yerushalayim said, "He has Ba`alZibbul in him," and "It is by the ruler of the demons that he expels the demons."

And the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons He drives out demons.”

And the scribes that came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the demons casteth he out the demons.

Mark 3:22 describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting the escalating opposition He faced from the religious authorities. This verse records a severe accusation leveled against Him by influential scribes from Jerusalem.

Context

The scribes mentioned here were not just local scholars but authoritative interpreters of the Mosaic Law, having traveled specifically from Jerusalem, the religious center. Their arrival indicates the growing concern and official scrutiny Jesus was under due to His teachings, healings, and disregard for certain traditional interpretations, especially regarding the Sabbath (as seen in Mark 3:1-6). They were not merely observing but actively seeking to discredit Him, leading to a profound accusation of blasphemy.

Key Themes

  • Escalating Opposition: This verse marks a significant intensification of the conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment. Their accusations move beyond questioning His authority to outright demonization.
  • The Nature of Jesus' Power: The scribes acknowledge Jesus' undeniable power to cast out demons, but they attribute it to evil, not divine, sources. This demonstrates their spiritual blindness and unwillingness to accept Him as the Messiah.
  • Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit: The accusation that Jesus cast out demons by the power of "Beelzebub" is a direct prelude to Jesus' warning about the unforgivable sin, which is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, as recorded later in Mark 3:29. They were attributing the work of God's Spirit to Satan.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Beelzebub" is a critical element of this accusation. It is likely a derogatory corruption of "Baal-zebul" (meaning "Baal the prince" or "Baal the exalted one"), a Canaanite deity worshiped in Ekron (2 Kings 1:2). In Jewish tradition, it became a contemptuous name for the chief of demons or Satan himself. By calling Jesus' power to cast out demons as being "by the prince of the devils," the scribes directly equated Jesus' supernatural abilities with the power of Satan, implying He was an agent of evil rather than God.

Jesus' Response and Related Scripture

Jesus directly addresses this grave accusation in the verses immediately following, presenting a logical argument that "a house divided against itself cannot stand" (Mark 3:25). He illustrates that Satan cannot cast out Satan, thereby exposing the absurdity of their claim. This powerful defense underlines His true authority and the divine source of His miracles, a theme also explored in Matthew 12:28, where He states that casting out demons by the Spirit of God signifies the arrival of the Kingdom of God.

Practical Application

Mark 3:22 serves as a timeless reminder of the dangers of spiritual blindness and hardened hearts. It illustrates that even undeniable evidence of God's work can be twisted or rejected by those unwilling to believe. For believers, it underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the importance of discerning the source of power. It also affirms Jesus' ultimate authority over all demonic forces, even when falsely accused, offering comfort and assurance in His victory.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 10:25

    It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more [shall they call] them of his household?

  • Matthew 15:1

    ¶ Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

  • Matthew 9:34

    But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

  • Matthew 12:24

    But when the Pharisees heard [it], they said, This [fellow] doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

  • John 7:20

    The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

  • Mark 7:1

    ¶ Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

  • Matthew 11:18

    For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

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