Matthew 10:25

25. Called the master of the house Our Lord presents himself now under a slightly new figure. In the last verse he was a rabbi, with his pupils. In the present expression he is a householder, with his domestics. Their foes have not shrunk to call him by the most opprobrious epithets; still less respect can be expected for them. Beelzebub This word is the Greek form of the name of Baal-zebub, (the Philistine god worshipped at Ekron,) signifying the lord of flies. See 2 Kings 1:2. But the reading of the word in this verse, best supported by the manuscripts, is, by a slight alteration, Beelzeboul. This is undoubtedly here the true form. The Jews were accustomed to express their contempt of a thing by some slight change of its name, which gave it a disgusting or even indecent meaning. Beelzeboul signifies lord of dung. And the word dung was also their contemptuous epithet for idolatry, since they intended to give the filthiest possible name to what they considered the vilest possible sin. Beelzebub, therefore, they changed to Beelzeboul, lord of dung, or perhaps, idolatry. No worse epithet did they feel themselves able to invent for Jesus. It was perhaps from the title lord of idolatry, thus acquired, that Beelzebub was reputed prince of devils. And in the extremity of their hatred, their attributing to Jesus the name of this supreme demon, indicated their consciousness of the mighty power he manifested.

And now the discipleship of Christ is a great family, and if its enemies have launched their foulest calumnies against its illustrious head, what right have its members to expect exemption from reproach?