Luke 11:14–36

A House Divided

14 Now s He was driving out a demon t that was mute. u v When the demon came out, the man who had been mute, spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He drives out demons by * Beelzebul, w the ruler x of the demons!” y 16 And others, as a test, z were demanding of Him a sign a from heaven.

17 Knowing their thoughts, b He told them: “Every kingdom divided c against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan d also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom e stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, who is it your sons f g drive them out by? For this reason they will be your judges. 20 If I drive out demons by the finger of God, h then the kingdom of God i has come to you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure. j 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers k him, he takes from him all his weapons l m he trusted n in, and divides up his plunder. o 23 Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, p and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.

An Unclean Spirit’s Return

24 “When q an * unclean spirit r comes out of a man, it roams through waterless places looking for rest, s and not finding rest, it then t says, ‘I’ll go back to my house where I came from.’ 25 And returning, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits u more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that man’s last condition is worse than the first.” v

True Blessedness

27 As He was saying these things, a woman from the crowd w raised her voice and said to Him, “The womb that bore You and the one who nursed You x are blessed!”

28 He said, “Even more, those who hear the word of God y and keep it z are blessed!”

The Sign of Jonah

29 As the crowds were increasing, He began saying: “This generation a is an evil generation. b It demands a sign, c but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. d e 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so also the * Son of Man f will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the south g will rise up at the judgment h with the men of this generation and condemn i them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, j and look—something greater than Solomon is here! 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation, and look—something greater than Jonah is here!

The Lamp of the Body

33 “No k one lights a lamp l and puts it in the cellar or under a basket, m but on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see its light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of the body. n When your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad, o your body is also full of darkness. 35 Take care then, that the light in you is not darkness. 36 If, therefore, your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be entirely illuminated, as when a lamp shines its light on you.” p