Luke 11:14-23
14 And He was casting out a mute demon; when the demon had gone out, the man who was previously unable to speak talked, and the crowds were amazed.
15 But some of them said, “He casts out the demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”
16 Others, to test Him, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven.
17 But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls.
18 And if Satan also has been divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you claim that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul.
19 Yet if by Beelzebul I cast out the demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges.
20 But if I cast out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are secure.
22 But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, that man takes away his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder.
23 The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters.
The Beelzebul Controversy
Casting out a mute demon
In addition to this passage, Jesus carried out the casting out of demons in various forms. Even the Pharisees and scribes could not deny the fact that Jesus was casting out demons. The question was, by what authority was He doing it? When the demon that made a man mute was cast out, the same controversy arose. Some concluded, “He casts out the demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons” (Luke 11:15). The name Beelzebul originally meant “master of the house” or “lord of the dwelling” (in Hebrew, “Baal-Zebul”), but it came to refer to the ruler of demons (Satan). Jesus countered by saying that “any kingdom or house divided against itself cannot stand but will collapse. If Satan and the realm of demons are divided against themselves, they cannot stand. Therefore, it is impossible for Satan to cast out his own demons.”
Arrival of the kingdom of God
The Beelzebul controversy became an important turning point in Jesus’ public ministry. From this point on, His focus shifted from the crowds to the smaller group of disciples. Why was that? The casting out of the “mute demon” carried significant meaning. In Jewish rabbinic practice, there was a set procedure for casting out demons. First, the name of the demon had to be drawn out, and then the demon would be cast out by calling its name. However, in the case of a person possessed by a “mute demon,” he could not speak, so the name could not be obtained. The Jews believed that when the Messiah (the Savior) came, He would be able to cast out the “mute demon.” In verse 20, Jesus clearly declared that He is the Messiah: “But if I cast out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Jesus had overcome the “strong man who guards his house” (referring to Satan). The kingdom of God had already come. However, sadly, the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Now that the kingdom of God has come, no one can remain in a neutral position any longer. Whoever does not stand on God’s side is one who cooperates with Satan. Did you know that the Christian life is a spiritual battle, and that placing yourself in a so-called neutral position actually means cooperating with Satan?
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, I thank You that Jesus the Messiah has overcome the “strong man who guards his house,” Satan. Now I have been set free from the chains of bondage. Please transform me into one who gathers perishing souls together with Jesus. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.