Lesson 36 Luke 11:14-26, Divided Kingdoms and Households

Casting Out Demons: Who and How 11:14-23

14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven.

17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.

19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;

22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Luke 11:14–23

It sounds like Jesus has been reading someone’s social media posts or He has been reading email, and also listening in on conversations. Actually we all know that Jesus is an all-knowing God, so His critics are not a huge task to reveal. The work of God can be subject to a lot of what people believe is higher criticism, but really all of that is nothing more than gossip, slander, and envy. Jesus knew what they were thinking and what was said behind His back or perhaps within earshot. Jesus was a target by this time in His ministry and men were already seeking ways to discredit and destroy Him. It was getting ugly. But the Savior does not back down.

The Criticism

1.“ He casts out demons by Beelzebul...”

2. His critics were constantly seeking a sign from Him through unbelief.

The man who was healed was demon possessed and could not speak, and the Gospel of Matthew says he was blind also. He was severely limited by both of these conditions. The demonic part was evident to all because of the chatter afterwards.The critics were using this as an occasion to undermine the ministry of Jesus. Beelzebul, is another way of spelling “Baalzebub.” Literally it means “Lord of the Flies,” or “Lord of the Underworld,” which would be Satan. Lord of the Flies does have a meaning towards flies being a part of animal excrement. The most insulting thing that the critics could say was that the man was delivered by someone from the “lord of the dung-hill.” Yes, we would consider it to be blasphemous. It was not nice or joking. It was meant to cause controversy.

Matthew also tells us that these fellows are Pharisees, and Mark attributes the remarks to Scribes. Scribes and Pharisees are at the heart of the criticisms, or we can say they are religious folk, trying to hinder the work of God. It is no small comment when Paul says in I Corinthians 1:21- 25 that the Jews have always been slow to believe God and they always asked for a sign, something visible, and not always a show of faith:

King James Version (Chapter 1)

21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

It does not pay to argue against God’s wisdom, or to try and discredit the work of God. You may find yourself, on the wrong side and end up being the one discredited. Jesus easily discredit the critics by showing that if a kingdom works against itself, it cannot succeed. So, why would Satan work against himself? Likewise, if the Lord would work against Himself or use the enemy’s firepower, He would be surrendering to a lesser power. It does not make sense. Everything rises and falls on leadership, the Lord of the kingdom, uses His own power and not someone else.

Since Beelzebub was a more earthy/crude term as opposed to Jesus, it was an insult being hurled at Christ Jesus. But Jesus says, if this is done by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has arrived at your doorstep. Also, if satan is the stronger man in this situation, then his goods would be safe and not able to be taken by Jesus. But the Blind man was freed and now sees. Who is the actual overcomer? Who gets to claim victory?That’s right! It’s Jesus! So, “ who you calling a satanic helper?” Jesus simply says, if you’re not on my side, get off the playing field.

More proof

24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016),Luke 11:24- 26

Jesus answers in a much more reasonable manner than which He is accused. They criticize low down. Jesus takes the high road in reply. He even shows that the sorry state of His accusers is worse than at the beginning of the critique. Or, when a human vessel is cleansed of a demon, you can be sure it will come back, worse than before. Fill that empty void with the grace and word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Those who are blessed 11:27- 28

English Standard Version (Chapter 11)

27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

I’m sure the poor woman was trying to say something encouraging. Jesus responds with “Rather than saying that, I say blessed are those that hear the Word of God and keep it.” He is not putting her down, He is telling her that obedience to His Word, trumps even family relationships. Be careful in your praise of men and women. All praise belongs to HIM.

Jonah as a Sign 11:29-32

English Standard Version (Chapter 11)

29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

The last days ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ were highly successful in spite of situations that were highly combative. The truth of Jesus’ preaching was hitting close to home as He took on the generation that was looking for something other than Him. Just as Jonah himself was a sign, so is the Lord Jesus Christ a sign to His generation m( verse 30. The seeking for something that is not by faith has the “sign” that it is an evil generation.

And, we see the queen of the south must have been a famous unbeliever. She came to seek the wisdom of Solomon with her whole heart and she was rewarded. And yet, now we see she will judge this generation of unbelieving religious Jews. What a tragedy. The wonderful truth is that Jesus is greater than Jonah, Solomon, the men of Nineveh, and the queen of Sheba. If they can repent and believe, so can you!