Matthew 12:25

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:

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} knew {G1492} their {G846} thoughts {G1761}, and said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Every {G3956} kingdom {G932} divided {G3307} against {G2596} itself {G1438} is brought to desolation {G2049}; and {G2532} every {G3956} city {G4172} or {G2228} house {G3614} divided {G3307} against {G2596} itself {G1438} shall {G2476} not {G3756} stand {G2476}:

However, knowing what they were thinking, Yeshua said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not survive.

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

And knowing their thoughts he said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

Matthew 12:25 (KJV) offers a profound insight into the destructive nature of division, spoken by Jesus in response to His accusers.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' defense against the Pharisees' accusation that He cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils. After Jesus healed a man who was blind and mute, demonstrating His divine authority, the religious leaders attributed His power to Satan. Jesus, knowing their inner thoughts and intentions (John 2:25), used a logical, self-evident truth to expose the absurdity of their claim: Satan cannot be divided against himself and expect to stand.

Key Themes

  • The Peril of Division: The core message is that internal conflict inevitably leads to ruin. Jesus illustrates this with three ascending examples: a kingdom, a city, and a house. This principle applies universally, from nations to the smallest family unit.
  • Spiritual Coherence: Jesus argues that if He were casting out demons by Satan's power, Satan's kingdom would be in disarray, leading to its downfall. His ability to cast out evil spirits actually proves the opposite: He operates with a power superior to and opposed to Satan, signaling the arrival of the Kingdom of God.
  • Divine Omniscience: The opening phrase, "And Jesus knew their thoughts," highlights His divine nature and supernatural insight, demonstrating that He was not merely guessing their intentions but fully aware of their hearts.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "knew their thoughts" (egno tas enthymēseis autōn) underscores Jesus' inherent divine knowledge, not just keen human observation. The repetition of "divided against itself" (meristheisa eph' heautēn) emphasizes the internal, self-destructive nature of disunity. The term "desolation" (erēmoutai) signifies being made desolate or ruined, while "shall not stand" (ou stathēsetai) means it will inevitably fall or collapse, reinforcing the inevitability of destruction due to internal strife.

Practical Application

This verse holds timeless relevance for believers and society. It calls for:

  • Unity in the Church: Just as a kingdom or house cannot stand divided, the body of Christ is called to unity. Internal strife, gossip, and factions weaken its witness and effectiveness (see 1 Corinthians 1:10 and Ephesians 4:3).
  • Family and Community Harmony: The principle extends to families, communities, and even personal lives. A house divided by conflict or internal inconsistency cannot thrive.
  • Spiritual Discernment: Understanding that God's kingdom operates with unity and power, while Satan's kingdom, though oppressive, is ultimately vulnerable due to its inherent evil and opposition to truth.

Matthew 12:25 serves as a powerful reminder that true strength and endurance are found in unity, alignment, and a clear opposition to the forces of division and evil.

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.

  • Galatians 5:15

    But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

  • Jeremiah 17:10

    I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

  • Matthew 9:4

    And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

  • 1 Corinthians 2:11

    For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

  • 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.

  • Luke 11:22

    But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

  • Isaiah 9:21

    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.

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