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So then, they will be your judges. <a href="/nlt/matthew/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. <a href="/esv/matthew/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. <a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. <a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? On account of this, they will be your judges. <a href="/kjv/matthew/12.htm">King James Bible</a> And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/12.htm">New King James Version</a> And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And if by Beelzebul I cast out the demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. <a href="/nasb/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Consequently they shall be your judges. <a href="/lsb/matthew/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. <a href="/amp/matthew/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> If I cast out the demons by [the help of] Beelzebul (Satan), by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. <a href="/csb/matthew/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, who is it your sons drive them out by? For this reason they will be your judges. <a href="/asv/matthew/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. <a href="/cev/matthew/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons, whose power do your own followers use to force them out? Your followers are the ones who will judge you. <a href="/erv/matthew/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. <a href="/gwt/matthew/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> If I force demons out of people with the help of Beelzebul, who helps your followers force them out? That's why they will be your judges. <a href="/gnt/matthew/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> You say that I drive out demons because Beelzebul gives me the power to do so. Well, then, who gives your followers the power to drive them out? What your own followers do proves that you are wrong! <a href="/isv/matthew/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> If I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own followers drive them out? That is why they will be your judges! <a href="/msb/matthew/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. <a href="/net/matthew/12.htm">NET Bible</a> And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. <a href="/nheb/matthew/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. <a href="/wbt/matthew/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your children expel them? therefore they shall be your judges. <a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And if it is by Baal-zebul's power that I expel the demons, by whose power do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall be your judges. <a href="/web/matthew/12.htm">World English Bible</a> If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And if I, by Beelzebul, cast out the demons, your sons—by whom do they cast out? Because of this they will be your judges. <a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? On account of this, they will be your judges. <a href="/ylt/matthew/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And if I, by Beelzeboul, do cast out the demons, your sons -- by whom do they cast out? because of this they -- they shall be your judges. <a href="/slt/matthew/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast out? for this shall they be your judges.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your own sons cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges. <a href="/nabre/matthew/12.htm">New American Bible</a> And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by what do your sons cast them out? for this reason they will be your judges. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And if I am casting out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason, they shall be your judges. <a href="/godbey/matthew/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>lf I through Beelzebul cast out demons, through whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. <a href="/mace/matthew/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and if I by Beelzebub exorcize devils, by whom do your children exorcize them? wherefore even they shall be your judges. <a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And if it is by Baal-zebul's power that I expel the demons, by whose power do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall be your judges. <a href="/worrell/matthew/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And, if I by Beelzebub cast out the demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And if I cast out demons by <Fr>the power of<FR> Beelzebub, by whom do your own people cast <Fr>them<FR> out? wherefore they shall be your judges:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/12-27.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=3209" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">A House Divided</a> …26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/1544.htm" title="1544: ekballō (V-PIA-1S) -- To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.">drive out</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1140.htm" title="1140: daimonia (N-ANP) -- An evil-spirit, demon; a heathen deity. Neuter of a derivative of daimon; a d?Monic being; by extension a deity.">demons</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">by</a> <a href="/greek/954.htm" title="954: Beelzeboul (N-DMS) -- Beelzebul, a name of Satan, the chief of evil spirits. Of Chaldee origin; dung-god; Beelzebul, a name of Satan.">Beelzebul,</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">by</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tini (IPro-DMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">whom</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">do your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huioi (N-NMP) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">sons</a> <a href="/greek/1544.htm" title="1544: ekballousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.">drive them out?</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">So then,</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. "></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autoi (PPro-NM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">they</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: esontai (V-FIM-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">will be</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/2923.htm" title="2923: kritai (N-NMP) -- A judge, magistrate, ruler. From krino; a judge.">judges.</a> 28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/11-19.htm">Luke 11:19</a> And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. <a href="/mark/3-22.htm">Mark 3:22-26</a> And the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons He drives out demons.” / So Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? / If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand. ... <a href="/john/8-48.htm">John 8:48-52</a> The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right to say that You are a Samaritan and You have a demon?” / “I do not have a demon,” Jesus replied, “but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. / I do not seek My own glory. There is One who seeks it, and He is the Judge. ... <a href="/acts/19-13.htm">Acts 19:13-16</a> Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” / Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. / But one day the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ... <a href="/1_kings/18-24.htm">1 Kings 18:24-29</a> Then you may call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people answered, “What you say is good.” / Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” / And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. ... <a href="/2_kings/1-2.htm">2 Kings 1:2-4</a> Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers and instructed them: “Go inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this injury.” / But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’ / Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’” So Elijah departed. <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a> They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. <a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">2 Kings 21:6</a> He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a> Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you. <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a> You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God. <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19</a> When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Isaiah 19:3</a> Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists. <a href="/zechariah/13-2.htm">Zechariah 13:2</a> And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. <a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm">1 Samuel 28:7-14</a> Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” “There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied. / So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.” / But the woman replied, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has killed the mediums and spiritists in the land. Why have you set a trap to get me killed?” ... <a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a> No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.Beelzebub.<a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">Matthew 12:24</a> But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.by whom.<a href="/mark/9-38.htm">Mark 9:38,39</a> And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us… <a href="/luke/9-49.htm">Luke 9:49,50</a> And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us… <a href="/luke/11-19.htm">Luke 11:19</a> And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.they.<a href="/matthew/12-41.htm">Matthew 12:41,42</a> The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here… <a href="/luke/19-22.htm">Luke 19:22</a> And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:<a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Romans 3:19</a> Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">Beelzeboul</a> <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">Beelzebub</a> <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">Beelzebul</a> <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">Be-El'zebul</a> <a href="/matthew/12-26.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Children</a> <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">Demons</a> <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">Devils</a> <a href="/matthew/12-2.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/matthew/10-8.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/job/20-15.htm">Expel</a> <a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">Power</a> <a href="/matthew/12-12.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">Spirits</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/3-22.htm">Beelzeboul</a> <a href="/mark/3-22.htm">Beelzebub</a> <a href="/mark/3-22.htm">Beelzebul</a> <a href="/mark/3-22.htm">Be-El'zebul</a> <a href="/matthew/12-28.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/matthew/13-38.htm">Children</a> <a href="/matthew/12-28.htm">Demons</a> <a href="/matthew/12-28.htm">Devils</a> <a href="/matthew/12-49.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/matthew/12-28.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/matthew/12-28.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/12-28.htm">Expel</a> <a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/matthew/12-28.htm">Power</a> <a href="/matthew/12-31.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/matthew/12-28.htm">Spirits</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 12</div>1. <a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">by scripture,</a> 9. <a href="/matthew/12-9.htm">by reason,</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/12-13.htm">and by a miracle.</a> 22. <a href="/matthew/12-22.htm">He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub, </a> 32. <a href="/matthew/12-32.htm">he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.</a> 36. <a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Account shall be made of idle words.</a> 38. <a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,</a> 46. <a href="/matthew/12-46.htm">and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul In this passage, Jesus addresses the accusation from the Pharisees that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul, a name associated with a pagan deity and often used to refer to Satan. This accusation reflects the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart of the religious leaders. The context here is a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees, who are threatened by His growing influence and miraculous works. The term "Beelzebul" is derived from a Philistine god, Baal-Zebub, and was used in Jewish tradition to denote the prince of demons. This accusation is a serious charge, as it attributes the work of the Holy Spirit to demonic power, which Jesus later warns is blasphemy against the Spirit.by whom do your sons drive them out? Here, Jesus challenges the Pharisees by pointing to their own followers or disciples, who also practiced exorcism. In Jewish culture, exorcism was a recognized practice, and some Pharisees or their disciples claimed to have the ability to cast out demons. Jesus uses this argument to highlight the inconsistency and hypocrisy in their accusation. If their own people are performing exorcisms, by what power do they claim to do so? This rhetorical question exposes the Pharisees' bias and unwillingness to acknowledge Jesus' divine authority.So then, they will be your judges. Jesus concludes by stating that the very people the Pharisees consider legitimate exorcists will stand as witnesses against them. This statement implies that those who recognize the power of God in exorcism will condemn the Pharisees' rejection of Jesus. It underscores the idea that the truth will ultimately prevail, and those who are spiritually discerning will recognize the source of Jesus' power. This phrase also foreshadows the judgment that will come upon those who reject the Messiah, as seen in other parts of the New Testament where Jesus speaks of the final judgment and the separation of the righteous from the wicked.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is responding to accusations from the Pharisees that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law. They accuse Jesus of using demonic power to perform exorcisms. 3. <a href="/topical/b/beelzebul.htm">Beelzebul</a> A name used for a demonic figure, often associated with Satan. The Pharisees claim Jesus uses this power to cast out demons. 4. <a href="/topical/s/sons_of_the_pharisees.htm">Sons of the Pharisees</a> Likely refers to the disciples or followers of the Pharisees who also practiced exorcism. 5. <a href="/topical/d/demons.htm">Demons</a> Spiritual beings opposed to God, often causing harm or possession in individuals, which Jesus and others cast out.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_logic_of_jesus'_argument.htm">The Logic of Jesus' Argument</a> Jesus uses a logical argument to refute the Pharisees, showing that their accusation is inconsistent. If He casts out demons by Satan, then their own exorcists must be doing the same, which they would not accept. <a href="/topical/a/authority_of_jesus.htm">Authority of Jesus</a> This passage highlights Jesus' authority over demons, affirming His divine power and mission. <a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_accountability.htm">Judgment and Accountability</a> Jesus points out that the Pharisees' own followers will judge them, emphasizing the importance of consistency and truth in spiritual matters. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_spiritual_matters.htm">Discernment in Spiritual Matters</a> Believers are encouraged to discern the source of spiritual power and to recognize the work of God versus the work of the enemy. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_jesus'_power.htm">Faith in Jesus' Power</a> Trust in Jesus' authority over evil is crucial for believers, reinforcing the need for faith in His divine mission and power.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 12</a> <a href="/q/which_bible_verses_support_exorcism.htm">What Bible verses support Christian exorcism practices?</a> <a href="/q/did_jesus_pray_to_avoid_crucifixion.htm">Did Jesus pray to The Father to prevent the crucifixion? Yes. (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42) No. (John 12:27)</a> <a href="/q/shealtiel's_father__jechoniah_or_neri.htm">Who was the father of Shealtiel? Jechoniah (Matthew 1:12) Neri (Luke 3:27)</a> <a href="/q/how_should_wives_treat_husbands_biblically.htm">What is Satan's role according to the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(27) By whom do your children cast them out?--The "children" of the Pharisees are their disciples, and in this case, such as practised exorcism, like the sons of Sceva in <a href="/acts/19-13.htm" title="Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took on them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.">Acts 19:13</a>. The belief in demoniacal possession had as its natural accompaniment the claim on the part of those who could control the disordered reason of the possessed person of power to cast out the demon. We need not assume that such power was always a pretence, or rested only on spells and incantations. Earnestness, prayer, fasting, faith--these are always mighty in intensifying the power of will, before which the frenzied soul bows in submission or yields in confidence, and these may well have been found among the better and truer Pharisees. Our Lord's question, indeed, requires for its logical validity the admission that the "children" of the accusers did really cast out demons, and that not by Beelzebub.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 27, 28. - Parallel passage: <a href="/luke/11-19.htm">Luke 11:19, 20</a>, almost verbally identical. Verse 27. - And (καί). Another stage in his argument. There is a further reason why they should hesitate before making such an accusation; their own disciples claimed to be able to cast out devils. If I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children; sons (Revised Version); i.e. your pupils, who will carry on your work (cf. "sons of the prophets"). Cast them out? (cf. <a href="/matthew/4-24.htm">Matthew 4:24</a>, note). For examples of such cases by others than professed followers of Christ, see <a href="/luke/9-49.htm">Luke 9:49</a>; <a href="/acts/19-13.htm">Acts 19:13</a>. Josephus also mentions some, but they are mere impostures; he says ('Ant.,' 08:02.5), "Solomon left behind him the manner of using exorcisms, by which they drive away demons, so that they never return, and this method of cure is of great force unto this day; for I have seen a certain man of my own country, whose name was Eleazar, releasing people that were demoniacal in the presence of Vespasian, and his sons, and his captains, and the whole multitude of his soldiers. The manner of the sure was this: he put a ring that had a root of one of those sorts mentioned by Solomon to the nostrils of the demoniac, after which he drew out the demon through his nostrils; and when the man fell down immediately, he abjured him to return into him no more, making still mention of Solomon, and reciting the incantations which he composed" (cf. also Dr. Cheatham's article on "Exorcism," in 'Dict. of Christian Antiq.'). Therefore they. Emphatic (αὐτοί), and hence, presumably, the transposition in the Revised Version, shall they. Shall be your judges. Our Lord asks the preceding question, neither denying nor affirming for himself the fact that their disciples cast out devils, but only by way of argument. He implies, "You will answer that they do so by God's help. If so, then your sons shall be your judges, convicting you of insincerity. You acknowledge that they work miracles by God's help, and you do not acknowledge that I do. But you cannot stop short there. You must acknowledge that I also cast out devils by God's help." <a href="/commentaries/matthew/12-27.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. if εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. drive out ἐκβάλλω (ekballō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1544.htm">Strong's 1544: </a> To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject. demons δαιμόνια (daimonia) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1140.htm">Strong's 1140: </a> An evil-spirit, demon; a heathen deity. Neuter of a derivative of daimon; a d?Monic being; by extension a deity. by ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Beelzebul, Βεελζεβοὺλ (Beelzeboul) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_954.htm">Strong's 954: </a> Beelzebul, a name of Satan, the chief of evil spirits. Of Chaldee origin; dung-god; Beelzebul, a name of Satan. by ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. whom τίνι (tini) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. {do} your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. sons υἱοὶ (huioi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. drive them out? ἐκβάλλουσιν (ekballousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1544.htm">Strong's 1544: </a> To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject. So then, διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. they αὐτοὶ (autoi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. will be ἔσονται (esontai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. judges. κριταὶ (kritai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2923.htm">Strong's 2923: </a> A judge, magistrate, ruler. From krino; a judge. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/12-27.htm">Matthew 12:27 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/12-27.htm">Matthew 12:27 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/12-27.htm">Matthew 12:27 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/12-27.htm">Matthew 12:27 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/12-27.htm">Matthew 12:27 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/12-27.htm">Matthew 12:27 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/12-27.htm">Matthew 12:27 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/12-27.htm">Matthew 12:27 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/12-27.htm">Matthew 12:27 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/12-27.htm">Matthew 12:27 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/12-27.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 12:27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/12-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 12:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/12-28.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 12:28"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:28" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>