Binding the Strongman

Hello everyone.

Today, I will continue my exegesis of Luke 11.  We will look at verses 14-23, where Jesus is casting out demons, and he is accused of casting demons out by the power of Beelzebub. Here is my translation:

14 Then, one day, Jesus was casting out a demon that was mute.  When the demon came out, the one who had been mute, spoke, to the great amazement of the crowd. 15 But some among them said, “It is through Beelzebub, ruler of the demons, that he casts out demons.” 16 Still others, testing him, were seeking a sign from Heaven from him. 17 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom that is divided against itself gets destroyed, and when a house is against itself, it falls down. 18 So then, if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? You say that it is through Beelzebub that I drive out demons.  19 But if I am driving them out through Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? By this, they will be your judges.  20 But if, however, it is by the finger of God that I am casting out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 21 When the strong man, who is fully armed, guards his own house, his belongings are safe.  22 But when a stronger man attacks him, he is overpowered, and the armor that he had trusted in, is taken away and his plunder is divided. 23 Those who are not with me are against me, and those who do not gather with me, scatter. 

Jesus continues to teach and heal, and he continues to amaze, this time, casting out a demon that was making a man mute.  When the previously mute man began to speak, the crowd was amazed. (In the parallel passage in Matthew 12:22-23, the man is said to be both mute and blind and Jesus heals both infirmities.) 

However, some in the crowd float the idea that Jesus is casting out demons, through the power of Beelzebub. Matthew’s account attributes this idea to the Pharisees. (Matt. 12:24) Beelzebub is described here as the ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων (archonti tone daimonione).  Ἄρχοντι can be translated as ‘ruler’ or ‘prince.’ So they are ascribing to Jesus, either the ‘ruler of demons,’ or the ‘prince of demons.’ So, as some are wondering out loud whether Jesus is the “Son of David,” (Matt. 12:24) his detractors throw out there that this power is not divine, but demonic. 

No one is denying that Jesus is powerful.  They are willing to admit that much about Jesus, but they attribute that power to a different place, (Satan) that fits their own narrative better.  They bring their criticism of Jesus to a new level.  He is not just a Sabbath-breaker or a blasphemer, but now he is in league with Satan.

Others in the crowd are not ready to go that far in their criticism, yet are not ready to embrace him, either.  They test him, seeking some sort of sign, as though his continued expressions of power mean nothing.  What sign do they need?  This crowd had had just witnessed a great miracle, but this wasn’t enough. 

Jesus offers logic and reason to defend himself against ridiculous accusations, such as being in league with Beelzebub.  A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.  A house divided against itself cannot stand.  They will fall down.  If Satan is working against himself through Jesus, his kingdom will sooner or later fall apart.  Jesus makes this point: It is not through Satan that he casts out demons, but it is because he is stronger than Satan that he can cast them out.  Jesus uses this logic to show that their accusation and reasoning doesn’t make any sense. Satan would not work against himself. 

Jesus then asks them a question.  If it is through Beelzebub that he drives out demons, what force is at work when their own people drive them out? Are all Jewish exorcists, then under the power of Satan. Jesus attributes his power to the finger of God.  God’s finger is powerful, more powerful than Satan. 

Jesus uses a parable to illustrate his power.  He talks about the strong man’s house.  No one goes into the house of the strong man and plunders it. Before you can plunder the house of the strong man, you first have to incapacitate the strong man. Jesus talks about overpowering the strong man.  In order to do that you have to be stronger than the strong man.  So Jesus is not in league with him, Jesus is stronger than he is, breaking through the armor πανοπλίαν (panoplian) that the strong man had trusted in. 

In fact, when Jesus came into the world, he entered the house of the strong man to plunder it. Then, once the strong man is bound, then his house can be plundered.  Jesus is trying to do that very thing.  Many belong to Satan, the strong man.  Satan is guarding his own house, not wanting to lose anything that belongs to him.  But, Jesus is trying to plunder them from Satan’s house and He is the more powerful one of the two. 

We have to always remember that Satan is not Jesus’s evil counterpart, because Satan is not equal to God.  He is not as powerful and is subordinate to Him. Jesus is the greater power. Satan is the "strong man,' but Jesus is the "stronger man."

Read verse 23.  Either you are with Jesus or against him.  Darrell Bock makes the point that there is no Switzerland in the spiritual battle. (Bock, 1084.) We either gather with Jesus, or we scatter. It makes sense to be on the side of the stronger man, as he bound up the "strong man," and no one can bind him.  

Tom 

     Darrell Bock, Luke:Volume 2 - 9:51-24:53, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Academic, 1996.