Matthew 12:22–30

A HOUSE DIVIDED

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

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

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