Jesus and the Ruler of Demons

(Matthew 12.22-30; Mark 3.20-27)

¹⁴ Jesus forced a demon out of a man who could not talk. And after the demon had gone out, the man started speaking, and the crowds were amazed. ^15 (A) But some people said, “He forces out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons!”

^16 (B) Others wanted to put Jesus to the test. So they asked him to show them a sign from God. ¹⁷ Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said:

A kingdom where people fight each other will end up in ruin. And a family that fights will break up. ¹⁸ If Satan fights against himself, how can his kingdom last? Yet you say that I force out demons by the power of Beelzebul. ¹⁹ If I use his power to force out demons, whose power do your own followers use to force them out? They are the ones who will judge you. ²⁰ But if I use God's power to force out demons, it proves that God's kingdom has already come to you.

²¹ When a strong man arms himself and guards his home, everything he owns is safe. ²² But if a stronger man comes and defeats him, he will carry off the weapons in which the strong man trusted. Then he will divide with others what he has taken. ^23 (C) If you are not on my side, you are against me. If you don't gather in the crop with me, you scatter it.