Luke 11:17-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 11:14-26

The substance of these verses we had in Matt. 12:22 Christ is here giving a general proof of his divine mission, by a particular proof of his power over Satan, his conquest of whom was an indication of his great design in coming into the world, which was, to destroy the works of the devil. Here too he gives an earnest of the success of that undertaking. He is here casting out a devil that made the poor possessed man dumb: in Matthew we are told that he was blind and dumb. When the devil was... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 11:14-23

11:14-23 Jesus was casting out a dumb demon. When the demon came out the dumb man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, "He casts out demons by the help of Beelzebul, who is the prince of demons." Others, trying to put him to the test, sought a sign from heaven from him. He knew what they were thinking. "Every kingdom," he said, "that is divided against itself is devastated; and every house that is divided against itself falls; so if Satan is divided against himself how will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 11:17

But he knowing their thoughts ,.... Being God omniscient, said unto them ; the following parables, as they are called in Mark 3:23 or proverbial expressions, very pertinent to the purpose, and sufficient to set aside the base calumnies of the Pharisees: every kingdom divided against itself, is brought to desolation ; in process of time, division will end in destruction; and as it does in the kingdoms of the world, of which there have been fatal instances, so it would in the kingdom... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 11:18

And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand ?.... This is the accommodation of the above parables, or proverbial sentences; suggesting, that Satan must be against himself, if what the Pharisees said was true; and consequently, his kingdom and government, could not long subsist: because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub ; which is all one as to say, that Satan is divided against himself, which is not reasonable to suppose; See Gill on Matthew... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 11:19

And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils ,.... Which is what the Pharisees charged him with; in the Greek copies, and so in the Arabic and Ethiopic versions it is read, "by Beelzebul", and so in the preceding verses; See Gill on Matthew 10:25 . By whom do your sons cast them out ? by whose help? or in whose name? for the Jews pretended to cast out devils, and to heal those that were possessed with them; which they did sometimes, by making use of the names of the patriarchs, Abraham,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 11:20

But if I with the, finger of God ,.... The power of God, referring to Exodus 8:19 and so the Cabalistic Jews F18 R. Mosch in Sepher Hashem, apud Cabal. Denudata. T. I. par. l. p. 146. explain it, "the finger is one of the five in the hand, and is that finger which works by the power of Elohim;' it is the same with the Spirit of God; See Gill on Matthew 12:28 which is often called the hand of the Lord, Ezekiel 1:3 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 11:21

When a strong man armed ,.... By the strong man, is meant the devil; See Gill on Matthew 12:29 and who may be said to be "armed", both with his own temptations, which are as fiery darts, and which are thrown by him thick and fast, suddenly and swiftly, privily, and with great art and cunning, and with great strength, and are very injurious; and also with the sins and lusts of men, which are armour of unrighteousness, and which Satan turns upon them, and makes use of against them, to their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 11:22

But when a stronger than he ,.... By whom is meant Christ, who is the mighty God, the Almighty; and appears to be so, in the creation of all things, in upholding them by the word of his power, in the government of the world, and the works of providence, in the redemption of his people from sin, Satan, and the law, and in the conversion of them, by the efficacy of his grace, and in the preservation of them by his power; and who is manifestly stronger than Satan; not only by these instances,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 11:23

He that is not with me, is against me ,.... Our Lord does not mean one, that was not personally with him; for there might be some, and doubtless were many, who were not in person with him, and yet were not against him, but friends to him, and to his interest; nor one that was not a professed disciple of his, or not a follower of him, and his apostles; for there were some who called themselves John's disciples, and did not attend on Christ, and yet were not against him, but cast out devils in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 11:19

Beelzebub - See on Matthew 10:25 ; (note). read more

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