*Luke 11:14-32
Jesus addresses accusations of performing miracles by the power of demons, highlighting the importance of recognizing and responding to God’s revelation.
- The Miracle and Accusations :
- Jesus casts out a demon from a man who was mute, enabling him to speak.
- Some witnesses accuse Jesus of using the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, to perform miracles.
- Jesus’ Response:
- Jesus explains the illogical nature of Satan opposing his own kingdom, stating that a divided kingdom cannot stand.
- He emphasizes that if he casts out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon them.
- Jesus warns about the dangers of spiritual emptiness, likening it to a house swept clean but left unoccupied, susceptible to even more evil influences.
- The Sign of Jonah:
- Jesus responds to demands for a sign with the example of Jonah, who was a sign to the people of Nineveh.
- He prophesies his own death, burial, and resurrection, paralleling Jonah’s time in the belly of the fish with his time in the grave.
- Jesus warns that the people of Nineveh, who repented at Jonah’s preaching, will condemn the current generation for not repenting at the greater message he brings.
Luke 11:14-32 reminds us to be careful about how we respond to Jesus. Some people doubted His power, while others kept asking for more signs, even though they had already seen miracles. Jesus teaches that true blessing comes from hearing God’s word and following it. We can apply this by trusting in Jesus instead of looking for constant proof, and by focusing on obeying God rather than just seeking His blessings. A heart that listens and responds to God’s truth will experience real peace and purpose.
Luke 11:14-32 (WEB)
11:14 He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.” 16 Others, testing him, sought from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 But if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if I by God’s finger cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come to you.21 “When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks him and overcomes him, he takes from him his whole armor in which he trusted, and divides his plunder.23 “He who is not with me is against me. He who doesn’t gather with me scatters.24 The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house from which I came out.’ 25 When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”27 It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!”28 But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”29 When the multitudes were gathering together to him, he began to say, “This is an evil generation. It seeks after a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. 30 For even as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will also be to this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and will condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, one greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, one greater than Jonah is here.