Beelzebul

Jesus and His disciples returned home to Capernaum and entered a house. And once again a crowd gathered so that He and His disciples could not even stop to eat. When Jesus' family heard about this, they set out to take custody of Jesus, saying, “He is out of His mind.”

A demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed the man so that he could speak and see. The crowds were amazed and asked, “Could this be the Son of David?”

But the scribes and Pharisees who had come down from Jerusalem were saying,  "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and, “It is by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man drives out demons.” And others tested Jesus by demanding a sign from heaven.

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus began to speak to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? Every kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Every household divided against itself cannot stand.  And if Satan is divided and rises against himself, he cannot stand; his end has come. After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your children--your disciples--drive them out? So then, they--your disciples--will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Jesus continued: "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are secure. How can anyone enter his house and steal his possessions, unless they attack and overpower him, take away his trusted armor and tie him up? Then they can divide up the man's plunder.

Jesus then concluded His statements to the scribes and Pharisees: "Those who are not with Me are against Me, and those who do not gather with Me scatter."

(See Matthew 12:22-30; Mark 3:20-27; Luke 11:14-23)

(Editor's Notes:

The term "son of David" is a reference to the Messiah. Many believed the Messiah would be a descendant of King David (2 Samuel 7:12–16).

Beelzebul, or Beelzebub, is a name derived from a Philistine god, and later adopted in some regions as a major demon. The name also became associated with the Canaanite god Baal and with Satan.

The strong man: Scholars have different opinions as to the meaning of the passage. Some suggest that Jesus meant that the strong man was the demon-possessed man and that Satan overpowered him so that he could take control of his house (his body). Others suggest the strong man was Satan and that his "house" was the earth, where Satan has dominion. In this interpretation, Jesus overpowered Satan so that Jesus could free the demon-possessed man. Some Christians extend this interpretation and apply it as a strategy for "binding" and defeating Satan in whatever spiritual venture they undertake.)

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