Matthew 12:26

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

And {G2532} if {G1487} Satan {G4567} cast out {G1544} Satan {G4567}, he is divided {G3307} against {G1909} himself {G1438}; how {G4459} shall {G2476} then {G3767} his {G846} kingdom {G932} stand {G2476}?

If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself; so how can his kingdom survive?

If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

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

Commentary

Matthew 12:26 is a pivotal verse in Jesus' defense against the Pharisees' slanderous accusation that He cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Here, Jesus employs a logical, undeniable argument to expose the absurdity of their claim, highlighting the inherent flaw in their reasoning.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Matthew 12, following Jesus' healing of a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute (Matthew 12:22). The crowd was amazed, but the Pharisees, driven by jealousy and unbelief, attributed Jesus' power to Satan himself (Matthew 12:24). Jesus responds with a series of irrefutable arguments, starting with the principle that a kingdom or house divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25). Verse 26 directly applies this principle to Satan's own dominion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Logical Absurdity: Jesus points out the sheer illogic of the Pharisees' accusation. If Satan were empowering Jesus to cast out demons, he would be working against his own interests, dismantling his own kingdom. This highlights that evil, while powerful, is ultimately self-destructive.
  • The Unity of Evil (for its own purpose): While Satan's kingdom is destined to fall, it operates with a singular, destructive purpose in the present age: to oppose God and ensnare humanity. For Satan to actively work against his own agents would undermine his entire operation.
  • Jesus' Authority Over Evil: By demonstrating that His power comes from God and not from Beelzebub, Jesus implicitly asserts His divine authority and superiority over all demonic forces. This sets the stage for His declaration that the kingdom of God has come.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Satan" (Greek: Satanas) is derived from the Hebrew word meaning "adversary" or "accuser." Jesus uses this term to refer to the ultimate spiritual enemy. The concept of "kingdom" (Greek: basileia) here denotes a realm of authority, dominion, or rule. Jesus' argument hinges on the understanding that any ruler, including Satan, seeks to maintain and expand their dominion, not to diminish it by internal conflict. Therefore, the idea of "Satan casting out Satan" is a self-defeating proposition, a logical contradiction that exposes the malicious intent behind the Pharisees' accusation.

Practical Application

This verse offers several enduring lessons for believers:

  • Discernment: We are called to use spiritual discernment and logical reasoning when evaluating claims and accusations, especially those leveled against God's work. Jesus' example shows how to refute false accusations with truth and sound logic.
  • Understanding Spiritual Warfare: While Satan's kingdom is united in its opposition to God, it is ultimately unstable and destined for destruction. Believers are called to be prepared for spiritual warfare, understanding that our victory is assured through Christ.
  • The Power of Unity: In contrast to the inherent weakness of a divided evil kingdom, the Church, as the body of Christ, is called to unity in purpose and mission. Division weakens any spiritual endeavor, echoing the principle that a house divided cannot stand.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Colossians 1:13

    Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:

  • Revelation 20:2

    And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

  • Revelation 20:3

    And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

  • 1 John 5:19

    [And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

  • Revelation 12:9

    And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

  • Revelation 16:10

    And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

  • John 16:11

    Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
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