*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.
11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
11:16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
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.
11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
11:19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 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.
11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
11:25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
11:26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
11:27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
11:29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
11:30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
11:32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.