Luke 11:14–26

Jesus and Beelzebul

^14yNow he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. ¹⁵But some of them said, “He casts out demons ^zby Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” ¹⁶while others, ^ato test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. ^17bBut he, ^cknowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. ¹⁸And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. ¹⁹And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, ^dby whom do ^eyour sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰But if it is by ^fthe finger of God that I cast out demons, then ^gthe kingdom of God has come upon you. ²¹When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; ^22hbut when one stronger than he attacks him and ⁱovercomes him, he takes away his ^jarmor in which he trusted and ^kdivides his spoil. ^23lWhoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Return of an Unclean Spirit

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