Mark 3:24

KJV

And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} if {G1437} a kingdom {G932} be divided {G3307} against {G1909} itself {G1438}, that {G1565} kingdom {G932} cannot {G3756}{G1410} stand {G2476}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom can't survive;

Berean Standard Bible

If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand.

American Standard Version

And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Mark 3:24, Jesus presents a foundational truth concerning the inherent instability of any entity that suffers from internal conflict. This statement is part of His masterful rebuttal to the scribes' absurd accusation that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. By asserting that a kingdom divided against itself cannot endure, Jesus logically exposes the self-defeating nature of their claim, thereby affirming the divine source of His power and the unified purpose of His ministry against the forces of evil.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical section of Mark's Gospel where Jesus's ministry is escalating, drawing both immense crowds and intense opposition. Immediately preceding this, Jesus's family attempts to restrain Him, believing Him to be out of His mind (Mark 3:20-21). This is followed by the arrival of scribes from Jerusalem, who, rather than acknowledging His miraculous works as divine, attribute His power over demons to Beelzebul (Mark 3:22). Jesus responds to this grave accusation with a series of logical parables, beginning with the universal principle articulated in Mark 3:24, which sets the stage for His subsequent arguments about a divided house and the binding of the strong man.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the 1st century Roman province of Judea, the concept of a "kingdom" (Greek: _basileia_) was deeply resonant. People lived under Roman imperial rule, yet harbored Messianic hopes for the restoration of an independent Jewish kingdom. The scribes, as religious authorities, were guardians of the Law and tradition, and their accusation against Jesus reflected a deep-seated fear and misunderstanding of His authority and origin. Their charge of demon possession (specifically by Beelzebul, often associated with Satan) was the most severe form of slander, aiming to discredit Jesus entirely and turn the crowds against Him. Jesus's response, therefore, was not merely a theological discourse but a strategic defense against a potentially fatal accusation, using common-sense logic that even His adversaries could not deny.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 3:24 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Mark's Gospel. It highlights the **nature of spiritual warfare**, clearly delineating the opposing kingdoms of God and Satan. Jesus's argument posits that Satan's kingdom, like any other, would collapse if it were internally divided, making the scribes' accusation illogical and self-defeating. This sets the stage for understanding Jesus's true power as one who [binds the strong man](/mark/3-27 "Mark 3:27 - Jesus Binds the Strong Man") and plunders his house, demonstrating His authority over evil. Furthermore, the verse implicitly emphasizes the **unity and coherence of the Kingdom of God**, which Jesus is inaugurating and advancing. Unlike Satan's kingdom, which Jesus is actively dismantling, God's kingdom operates with divine unity and purpose, as seen in Jesus's consistent acts of healing and deliverance, which are signs of its [arrival and power](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - The Kingdom of God is at Hand").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **kingdom (Greek, _basileía'_):** From G932, this term denotes royalty, rule, or a realm. In this context, it refers to a sphere of dominion and authority, whether political (like a nation) or spiritual (like the realm of Satan or God). Jesus applies this universal principle to the spiritual conflict at hand, highlighting that any sphere of influence, if internally fractured, is inherently unstable.
* **divided (Greek, _merízō'_):** From G3307, this word means "to part," "to apportion," "to share," or "to disunite." The phrase "divided against itself" (Greek: _merízō epí heautoû_) powerfully emphasizes internal strife and fragmentation, where different components or factions within the same entity work in opposition to one another, leading to self-destruction.
* **stand (Greek, _hístēmi'_):** From G2476, this verb means "to stand" (transitively or intransitively), "to establish," or "to endure." When combined with the negative particle "cannot" (G3756, _ou_) and the verb "to be able" (G1410, _dýnamai_), the phrase "cannot stand" (οὐ δύναται στῆναι) conveys an absolute impossibility of endurance or stability. It signifies that internal division inevitably leads to collapse and failure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if a kingdom be divided against itself":** This opening clause establishes a hypothetical but universally accepted premise. Jesus uses the analogy of a "kingdom" (a realm of authority or dominion) to represent any organized entity. The critical condition is "divided against itself," which describes a state of internal conflict, disunity, or civil war where the constituent parts are at odds with each other rather than working cohesively. This division is self-inflicted and self-destructive.
* **"that kingdom cannot stand.":** This second clause presents the inevitable consequence of the premise. The logical conclusion is that such an internally fractured entity is inherently unstable and lacks the capacity to endure or maintain its existence. The phrase "cannot stand" signifies an absolute impossibility of survival or stability, implying that collapse and ruin are its unavoidable destiny. Jesus applies this undeniable logic to expose the absurdity of the scribes' accusation that He, empowered by Satan, is casting out Satan's demons, as it would imply Satan's self-destruction.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus's statement in Mark 3:24 employs several effective **literary devices**. Primarily, it is an example of a **Proverbial Statement** or **Aphorism**, a concise, universally applicable truth that functions as a self-evident principle. The use of the **Analogy** of a "kingdom" allows Jesus to apply a familiar concept of political stability to the abstract realm of spiritual powers, making His argument accessible and compelling. The structure is also a form of **If-Then Logic**, where a condition (internal division) leads to an undeniable consequence (inability to stand). This logical structure highlights the **Irony** of the scribes' accusation; by attributing Jesus's exorcisms to Satan, they inadvertently suggest Satan is actively destroying his own kingdom, a notion Jesus exposes as illogical and self-defeating.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 3:24 serves as a foundational theological statement about the nature of power, unity, and spiritual conflict. Jesus's argument isn't just a clever retort; it's a profound declaration that the forces of evil, though powerful, are ultimately subject to the same laws of internal coherence as any other kingdom. Satan's realm, by its very nature, seeks to oppose God and maintain its dominion; therefore, it cannot logically engage in self-destruction. Jesus's ability to cast out demons is thus presented as irrefutable proof that He is not allied with Satan but is, in fact, actively dismantling Satan's kingdom, demonstrating the superior, unified power of God. This verse underscores the fundamental opposition between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, asserting God's ultimate victory through Christ.

* [Matthew 12:25](/matthew/12-25 "Matthew 12:25 - Jesus's Kingdom Argument")
* [Luke 11:17](/luke/11-17 "Luke 11:17 - A Kingdom Divided Cannot Stand")
* [1 Corinthians 1:10](/1_corinthians/1-10 "1 Corinthians 1:10 - Paul's Appeal for Unity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The timeless principle articulated by Jesus in Mark 3:24 extends far beyond the immediate context of spiritual warfare to encompass all forms of human organization and relationships. Whether in families, communities, churches, or nations, internal division is a corrosive force that inevitably leads to weakness, instability, and eventual collapse. For believers, this verse serves as a powerful call to prioritize unity within the body of Christ. Just as Satan's kingdom, though evil, is united in its opposition to God, so too should followers of Christ strive for harmony, common purpose, and mutual support, actively resisting anything that fosters discord, factionalism, or a lack of shared vision. Our collective witness and effectiveness in the world are directly tied to our ability to live out the unity that Christ prayed for, demonstrating the coherence and power of God's kingdom in a divided world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I see internal divisions in my own life, family, or community that are hindering progress or causing instability?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of spiritual warfare and the nature of evil?**
* **What practical steps can I take to promote unity and resolve conflict within my relationships and the church?**

### FAQ
**Why did the scribes accuse Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebul?**

Answer: The scribes, religious authorities from Jerusalem, were deeply threatened by Jesus's growing popularity and miraculous power, especially His ability to cast out demons. They could not deny the reality of His exorcisms, but they refused to acknowledge that His power came from God, as that would validate His claims and challenge their authority. Therefore, in an act of extreme slander and desperation, they resorted to accusing Him of being in league with Beelzebul, often identified as a chief demon or Satan himself. This accusation was designed to discredit Jesus entirely and explain away His supernatural works as demonic rather than divine, thereby turning the crowds against Him. Jesus's response in [Mark 3:23-27](/mark/3-23-27 "Mark 3:23-27 - Jesus's Rebuttal to the Scribes") masterfully exposes the logical fallacy of their charge.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 3:24, while a universal truth, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus's person and mission. The very fact that Jesus could cast out demons was proof that He was not allied with the kingdom of darkness but was actively invading and dismantling it. He is the "stronger man" who has come to [bind the strong man](/mark/3-27 "Mark 3:27 - Jesus Binds the Strong Man") (Satan) and plunder his house, liberating those held captive by sin and evil. His ministry of healing, deliverance, and teaching consistently demonstrated the [inbreaking of God's kingdom](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - The Kingdom of God is at Hand"), a kingdom of light, truth, and unity, fundamentally opposed to the division and darkness of Satan's realm. Through His atoning death and resurrection, Christ decisively triumphed over all spiritual powers and authorities, [disarming them and making a public spectacle of them](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers"), ensuring that Satan's kingdom, already divided by Christ's presence, would ultimately fall. Thus, Jesus's victory is the ultimate demonstration that the kingdom of God, united in purpose through Christ, will stand eternally, while the kingdom of darkness, divided and defeated, cannot.

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

Ezekiel 37:22

And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:

2 Samuel 20:1

¶ And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name [was] Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

2 Samuel 20:6

And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than [did] Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.

1 Corinthians 1:10

¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:13

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

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.

Isaiah 19:3

And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.