Mark 3:26

KJV

And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} if {G1487} Satan {G4567} rise up {G450} against {G1909} himself {G1438}, and {G2532} be divided {G3307}, he cannot {G3756}{G1410} stand {G2476}, but {G235} hath {G2192} an end {G5056}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he can't survive either; and that's the end of him.

Berean Standard Bible

And if Satan is divided and rises against himself, he cannot stand; his end has come.

American Standard Version

And if Satan hath risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 3:26 is a critical part of Jesus' defense against the scribes' accusation that He casts out demons by Beelzebul. In this verse, Jesus employs irrefutable logic, arguing that if Satan were to rise against himself and be divided, his kingdom would inevitably collapse, thereby exposing the absurdity of His opponents' claim and implicitly asserting His divine authority over the spiritual realm.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a pivotal section of Mark's Gospel (Mark 3:20-30) where Jesus faces intense opposition from both His own family and the religious authorities. Immediately preceding this, scribes from Jerusalem accuse Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebul and casting out demons by the prince of demons ([Mark 3:22](/mark/3-22 "Mark 3:22 - The Accusation Against Jesus")). Jesus responds with a series of logical arguments, beginning with the analogy of a kingdom or house divided against itself ([Mark 3:24-25](/mark/3-24-25 "Mark 3:24-25 - A Kingdom Divided")). Mark 3:26 specifically applies this principle to Satan's domain, directly refuting the scribes' absurd charge. This entire exchange culminates in the solemn warning about the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit ([Mark 3:28-30](/mark/3-28-30 "Mark 3:28-30 - The Unpardonable Sin")), underscoring the gravity of attributing the Holy Spirit's work to Satan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scribes, particularly those from Jerusalem, represented the pinnacle of Jewish religious authority and scholarship. Their journey from the capital indicates a concerted effort to discredit Jesus, whose growing popularity and miraculous power threatened their established order. The accusation of casting out demons by Beelzebul (a derogatory term for Baal, often associated with Satan) was a grave charge, implying Jesus was an agent of evil. In Jewish thought, exorcism was understood as a demonstration of divine power. By attributing Jesus' power to Satan, the scribes attempted to invalidate His ministry and undermine His claims, appealing to the common belief that Satan's kingdom was unified in its opposition to God. This context highlights the intense spiritual and ideological battle Jesus was engaged in, not just with demons, but with human authorities who resisted God's new work.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 3:26 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the **nature of spiritual warfare** and the reality of Satan's kingdom, which, though evil, operates with a unified purpose to oppose God and His redemptive plan. Jesus' argument underscores that Satan would never intentionally undermine his own domain. Secondly, it profoundly illustrates **Jesus' divine authority** over evil. By exposing the illogical nature of the scribes' accusation, Jesus implicitly asserts that His power to cast out demons stems not from Satan, but from God, demonstrating His unique role as the "stronger man" who binds the "strong man" ([Mark 3:27](/mark/3-27 "Mark 3:27 - Binding the Strong Man")). This theme of Jesus' authority is central to Mark's portrayal of Christ. Finally, the passage touches upon the theme of **rejection and opposition** faced by Jesus, a recurring motif throughout the Gospel, as the religious establishment consistently misunderstands and resists His messianic identity and mission. Similar arguments about a divided kingdom can be found in parallel accounts in [Matthew 12:25](/matthew/12-25 "Matthew 12:25 - A House Divided") and [Luke 11:17](/luke/11-17 "Luke 11:17 - A Kingdom Divided").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Satan (Greek, _Satanâs'_):** From a Chaldee origin, this term literally means "the accuser" or "adversary," referring to the devil, the chief antagonist of God and humanity. In this context, Jesus uses the scribes' own term for the demonic power they accuse Him of serving, turning their accusation back on them with logical force.
* **divided (Greek, _merízō'_):** This verb signifies to "part," "apportion," or "disunite," implying a splitting into factions or being torn apart internally. Jesus' argument posits that such internal fragmentation within Satan's kingdom would render it incapable of achieving its malevolent goals, as its power would be dissipated by self-conflict.
* **end (Greek, _télos'_):** This word refers to "the point aimed at as a limit," "the conclusion of an act or state," or "termination." Here, it denotes the ultimate demise, ruin, or complete cessation of existence for a kingdom or entity that is internally divided. Jesus suggests that Satan's kingdom, if divided against itself, would not merely weaken but would cease to exist.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if Satan rise up against himself,"**: Jesus begins with a hypothetical premise, directly engaging with the scribes' accusation. He challenges the logical consistency of their claim that He casts out demons by Satan's power, by asking them to consider the implications if Satan were to act in self-opposition. This phrase sets up the foundational absurdity of their argument.
* **"and be divided,"**: This clause elaborates on the nature of Satan's internal conflict. "Divided" implies a state of disunity, factionalism, or internal strife. Jesus posits that for Satan to empower someone to cast out his own agents would be an act of self-division, undermining his own domain and purpose.
* **"he cannot stand,"**: This is the logical consequence of the hypothetical premise. If Satan's kingdom were internally divided, it would lack the stability and cohesion necessary to endure. "Cannot stand" signifies an inability to maintain its position, remain firm, or sustain its existence, leading to inevitable collapse.
* **"but hath an end."**: This final clause emphasizes the ultimate outcome of such division: complete termination or ruin. It underscores the absolute impossibility of a self-destructive power maintaining its dominion, thereby revealing the flaw in the scribes' reasoning and implicitly affirming that Jesus' power must originate from a source greater than, and opposed to, Satan.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Mark 3:26 is **Argument by Absurdity** (also known as *reductio ad absurdum*). Jesus takes the scribes' premise—that He casts out demons by Satan's power—and demonstrates that it leads to an illogical and impossible conclusion: Satan's self-destruction. By showing the absurdity of a kingdom or house divided against itself, Jesus exposes the irrationality of their accusation. This is closely related to **Analogy**, as Jesus extends the principle of internal division from a general "kingdom" or "house" (Mark 3:24-25) directly to Satan's spiritual domain. The verse also utilizes **Hypothetical Reasoning** ("And if Satan rise up..."), inviting the audience to follow a logical chain of thought to its inevitable conclusion. Finally, there is an implicit **Contrast** between the unified nature of Satan's kingdom (in its opposition to God) and the scribes' false premise of its internal division.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 3:26 is a profound theological statement on the nature of evil and the ultimate victory of God's kingdom. It reveals that while Satan's kingdom is real and powerful, it operates with a unified, albeit malevolent, purpose: to oppose God and His redemptive work. Satan, as the "accuser," would never work against his own interests by enabling the expulsion of his agents. Therefore, Jesus' ability to cast out demons is irrefutable evidence that He is not an agent of Satan, but rather the "stronger man" ([Mark 3:27](/mark/3-27 "Mark 3:27 - Binding the Strong Man")) who has come to plunder Satan's domain. This verse underscores the fundamental conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, asserting that God's power is superior and actively dismantling Satan's hold. It also subtly hints at the temporary nature of Satan's reign, which, unlike God's eternal kingdom, is ultimately destined for defeat.

* [Matthew 12:25](/matthew/12-25 "Matthew 12:25 - A Kingdom Divided Against Itself")
* [Luke 11:17](/luke/11-17 "Luke 11:17 - Every Kingdom Divided Against Itself Will Be Ruined")
* [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' powerful logic in Mark 3:26 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us that while evil is real and organized, it is ultimately self-defeating when confronted by divine power. We are called to recognize the true source of spiritual authority and not to attribute God's work to the enemy, a profound spiritual error with grave consequences. Secondly, the principle of a "house divided" serves as a potent warning against internal strife within any community, particularly within the church. Just as Satan's kingdom would crumble if divided, so too can disunity, factionalism, and internal conflict cripple the effectiveness and witness of Christian communities. Unity, rooted in Christ, is not merely an ideal but a practical necessity for the church to stand firm and fulfill its mission. Finally, this verse encourages us to place our hope in Christ's ultimate victory over all evil. Jesus' exorcisms were not isolated acts but demonstrations of His ongoing campaign to dismantle Satan's kingdom, a campaign that culminates in His death, resurrection, and future return.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might internal division (in a family, church, or even within oneself) hinder effectiveness or lead to collapse, echoing the principle Jesus articulates?**
* **In what ways might we, like the scribes, be tempted to misattribute God's work or spiritual power today, and what are the dangers of such misjudgment?**
* **How does Jesus' argument about Satan's kingdom reassure us about the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom and Christ's authority over evil?**

### FAQ

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

Answer: The scribes from Jerusalem, representing the highest religious authority, accused Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebul (a derogatory term for Satan or a chief demon) because they could not deny His miraculous power in casting out demons, yet they refused to acknowledge its divine origin. Attributing His power to Satan was their way of discrediting Him, explaining away His miracles, and maintaining their own theological framework, which rejected Jesus as the Messiah. They saw His actions as a threat to their authority and interpretation of the Law, choosing to attribute the work of God's Spirit to the devil rather than repent and believe in Him. This accusation is detailed in [Mark 3:22](/mark/3-22 "Mark 3:22 - The Scribes' Accusation").

**What is the significance of Jesus' argument about a kingdom divided against itself?**

Answer: Jesus' argument is a logical refutation of the scribes' absurd accusation. He uses the common-sense principle that any entity—a kingdom, a house, or even Satan's domain—cannot endure if it is internally divided and working against itself. If Satan were empowering Jesus to cast out his own demons, it would mean Satan was actively undermining his own kingdom, leading to its inevitable collapse. This argument highlights the inherent unity of evil in its opposition to God and implicitly asserts that Jesus' power comes from God, not from Satan. It demonstrates that Jesus is not an agent of Satan but rather the one who is stronger than Satan, capable of binding him and plundering his house, as mentioned in [Mark 3:27](/mark/3-27 "Mark 3:27 - Jesus Binds the Strong Man").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 3:26, though a logical argument against a false accusation, profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' ability to cast out demons, far from being a satanic act, was a tangible manifestation of the inbreaking of God's kingdom and the direct assault on Satan's dominion. He is the long-awaited "stronger man" who has come to bind the "strong man" (Satan) and plunder his house ([Mark 3:27](/mark/3-27 "Mark 3:27 - Jesus Binds the Strong Man")). The ultimate fulfillment of this binding occurred at the cross, where Christ disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). His resurrection decisively sealed Satan's defeat, demonstrating that death and sin, the very tools of the devil, had been conquered ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ Destroys the One Who Has the Power of Death")). Through His ongoing ministry in the church by the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to participate in this victory, casting out darkness and advancing God's kingdom. Ultimately, Mark 3:26 foreshadows the final and complete end of Satan's reign, when he will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - Satan's Final Doom")), a triumphant conclusion secured by Christ's finished work.

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.