“If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?”
The full verse · Matthew 12:26 · KJV
cast , he is ; ?
Asked by
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, who "knew their thoughts" and answered the Pharisees' charge (Matthew 12:25)
Asked to
Pharisees: a Jewish religious party known for strict keeping of the law and tradition, who said Jesus cast out devils "by Beelzebub the prince of the devils" (Matthew 12:24)
The Scene
Jesus has healed a man possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb, and the Pharisees answer the crowd's amazement by saying He casts out devils "by Beelzebub the prince of the devils" (Matthew 12:22-24).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus used the Pharisees' own charge to show how foolish it was. They claimed He cast out devils by the power of the prince of devils (Matthew 12:24). Jesus first gave a principle everyone knew: "every city or house divided against itself shall not stand" (Matthew 12:25). Then He applied it to Satan. If Satan were driving out his own servants, he would be tearing down his own kingdom. Barnes puts it bluntly: then "Satan must have less than human prudence." Gill says Satan, being so crafty, "can never be thought to act such an opposite part to himself, subversive of his kingdom."
The Response
What Scripture recordsThe answer is built into the question: a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Jesus had already said so: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation" (Matthew 12:25). Mark records the conclusion plainly: "he cannot stand, but hath an end" (Mark 3:26). The Pharisees offered no reply. Jesus went on to give the true explanation: "if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you" (Matthew 12:28).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsBeelzebub was a name for Satan, the prince of evil spirits. Thayer explains that the name's origin is debated: one view reads it as "lord of dung," a mocking name for an idol, and another links it to the god of Ekron called Baal-zebub in 2 Kings 1:2. Gill notes it was "a prevailing notion" among the Jews that one devil was the head of all the rest.
This was not the first time the Pharisees had made this charge. After an earlier healing, they had said, "He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils" (Matthew 9:34).
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis question shows that Jesus and Satan are not partners but enemies. Every devil Jesus cast out was a defeat for Satan's kingdom, not a gain. Matthew Henry writes, "If Satan aided Jesus in casting out devils, the kingdom of hell was divided against itself." The miracles were a sign that a stronger kingdom had arrived.
Jesus' answer also shows His patience with His accusers. He "knew their thoughts" (Matthew 12:25), yet He reasoned with them step by step before warning them about speaking against the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:31-32).
Look Closer
What principle did Jesus state just before this question?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord Jesus, You were not divided against Yourself but came to break Satan's hold; where do You want me to trust Your power over what still binds me?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- The Pharisees saw real freedom and called it evil. What can make a person unwilling to see God at work?
- Tell about a time you saw Jesus set someone free from something that had a hold on them.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Jesus' question gives you confidence. The power of Christ is not mixed with darkness, and it never works against itself. Whatever He sets free, He sets free for good.
The principle Jesus used also applies to everyday life. Homes, churches, and friendships that are divided against themselves cannot stand for long (Matthew 12:25). Look for ways to build up unity where you live and serve.
This does not mean every disagreement is from Satan. Jesus is speaking about a kingdom working against its own purpose. Seek peace without treating every honest difference as an attack.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“How can Satan cast out Satan?”
“If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand?”
“If I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out?”
“Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?”