Luke 11:15
“But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.”
This verse is part of a passage where Jesus was casting out a demon from a mute man. After witnessing this miraculous event, some of the people present accused Jesus of performing the exorcism by the power of Beelzebub, who was considered the chief of demons or devils.
To understand the significance of this verse, it’s helpful to consider the context and the subsequent verses. In Luke 11:14-16, the passage reads:
“And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.”
In this context, Jesus had just performed a remarkable miracle by healing the mute man. Instead of recognizing the divine power at work, some of the people responded with skepticism and accusation. They attributed Jesus’ ability to cast out demons to the power of Beelzebub, implying that Jesus was in league with the devil.
It is important to note that this accusation was a serious one. The people who made this claim were essentially accusing Jesus of working under demonic influence and not by the power of God. Jesus addresses this accusation and responds to it in the subsequent verses (Luke 11:17-20). Let’s continue the study by looking at these verses:
“But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”
In these verses, Jesus presents a logical argument to counter their accusation. He points out that a kingdom or a house divided against itself cannot stand. If Satan were casting out his own demons, it would mean he was working against himself, which is illogical. Jesus then challenges them by asking by what power their own people cast out demons, essentially implying that their accusation was baseless.
Finally, Jesus asserts that His ability to cast out demons is evidence that the kingdom of God has come upon them. He suggests that His actions are the result of the power of God, indicating His authority and the arrival of God’s kingdom on earth.
In summary, Luke 11:15 captures the accusation made against Jesus by some people who claimed He cast out demons through the power of Beelzebub. This verse sets the stage for Jesus’ response and teachings about the power at work in His miracles, emphasizing the arrival of the kingdom of God.
