Driving out Demons
TRANSLATION
(14) Jesus drove out a demon that (had made the person) mute. When the demon departed, the man who was mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. (15) But some of them said, “It is by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that he drives out demons,” (16) while others, testing him, asked of him a sign from heaven. (17) But he, knowing their thoughts, said, “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. (18) If Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? (I say this) because you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. (19) If I by Beelzebub drive out demons, by whom do your followers drive them out? So they will be your judges. (20) But if I by the finger of God drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come among you.
(21) “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe, (22) but when someone stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he will take from him the armor in which he trusted and divide his possessions. (23) The one who is not with me is against me, and the one who does not gather with me scatters. (24) When an impure spirit leaves a person, it passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and, finding none, says, ‘I will return to the house I just left.’ (25) And when it returns, it finds the house swept and put in order. (26) Then it goes and finds seven other spirits more evil than he, and they enter and dwell there. The last state of that person is worse than the first.”
OBSERVATIONS
The first part of Jesus’ teaching was directed toward those who were accusing him of casting out demons by the power of Satan (vss. 15-23). His refutation was based on a simple principle: no kingdom divided against itself can stand (vs. 18). The second part of his teaching constituted a warning to those who thought that simply casting out demons was enough. If an “unclean spirit” is not replaced by the Spirit of God, that possessed individual stands in danger of even more powerful and devastating demonic activity.
All the repetitions in this passage had to do with “driving out demons” (used five times in vss. 14, 18, 19, & 20). We find three other occurrences of “demons” (in vss. 14 & 15) and two of “unclean spirit” and “spirits” (in vss. 24 & 26). Two proper names, “Satan” and “Beelzebub,” were also repeated (vss. 15, 18, & 19). The occasion for Jesus’ teaching on this difficult subject was his healing of a “mute” person rendered speechless by a demon that had possessed him (vs. 14).
OUTLINE
I. Jesus healed the man who was unable to speak due to demon possession. (14)
II. Jesus refuted the accusation that he was driving out demons by the power of Satan. (15-23)
III. Jesus warned of the dangers of an incomplete deliverance. (24-26)
IDEA STATEMENT
Jesus’ complete dominance of the demonic world was evidenced by his driving out demons and by his teaching about the nature of demons.
APPLICATION
Throughout his earthly ministry, Jesus frequently confronted Satan and the powers of evil including those afflicted with demon possession. In every case, Jesus’ divine authority over the demonic world was evident. His success in prevailing over all spiritual opposition amazed those who observed his ministry. Many of his critics quickly jumped to the conclusion that Jesus was in league with the devil, casting out lesser demons by the power of the prince of demons, namely Beelzebub. Jesus refuted their charges with logical arguments such as “a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand,” “the stronger always overcomes the weaker,” and “whoever is not with me is against me.”
The warning Jesus gave in the last part of this segment demands special attention. Even though a demon may have been driven out, there is always the danger of the demon reclaiming lost territory if it is not replaced by something far stronger in the person’s life, namely, the indwelling Spirit of God. We see this illustrated in the lives of those who have been released from prison after serving time for criminal behavior. If their inner motivations and personal ambitions have not been transformed, they will, in all likelihood, commit the same offenses for which they were originally punished and sadly return to jail with even longer sentences.