Driving Out a Demon

³² Just as they were going out, a demon-possessed man who was unable to speak was brought to him.^{(A) 33} When the demon had been driven out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”

³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.”^(B)

A House Divided

²² Then a demon-possessed man^(A) who was blind and unable to speak was brought to him. He healed him, so that the man^[a] could both speak and see.^{(B) 23} All the crowds were astounded and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” ^(C)

²⁴ When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”^(D)

²⁵ Knowing their thoughts,^(E) he told them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. ²⁶ If Satan^(F) drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? ²⁷ And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges.^{(G) 28} If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.^{(H) 29} How can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up^(I) the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. ³⁰ Anyone who is not with me is against me,^(J) and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.

²² The scribes^(A) who had come down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,”^(B) and, “He drives out^(C) demons^(D) by the ruler^(E) of the demons.”^(F)

²³ So he summoned^(G) them and spoke to them in parables:^(H) “How can Satan^(I) drive out Satan?^{(J) 24} If a kingdom^(K) is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵ If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ²⁶ And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished. ²⁷ But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his possessions unless he first ties up^(L) the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.

²⁰ “You have a demon!” the crowd responded. “Who is trying to kill you?”

Jesus and Abraham

⁴⁸ The Jews responded to him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you’re a Samaritan^(A) and have a demon?” ^(B)

⁵² Then the Jews said, “Now we know you have a demon. Abraham died and so did the prophets. You say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’

²⁰ Many of them were saying, “He has a demon^(A) and he’s crazy. Why do you listen to him?”