Matthew 12:26

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

American Standard Version (1901)

and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?

Bible in Basic English

And if Satan sends out Satan, he makes war against himself; how then will he keep his kingdom?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how then shall his kingdom stand?

Free Bible Version

If Satan drives out Satan, then he's divided against himself—so how could his kingdom stand?

Geneva Bible 1599

So if Satan cast out Satan, he is deuided against himself: how shall then his kingdom endure?

King James (Authorized) Version

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

One Unity Resource Bible

If Satan [Adversary] casts out Satan [Adversary], he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Translation for Translators

Similarly, if Satan were expelling his own demons [MTY], it would be as though he was fighting against himself. ◄His kingdom would not continue!/How could his kingdom continue?► [RHQ] His rule over them would certainly not last!

Unlocked Literal Bible

If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Noah Webster Bible

And if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?

World English Bible

If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Young's Literal Translation

and if the Adversary doth cast out the Adversary, against himself he was divided, how then doth his kingdom stand?

Context

A House Divided

²⁵Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.²⁶If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?²⁷And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.

Summary

This verse highlights the logical inconsistency in Satan's kingdom being divided against itself, as it would lead to self-destruction. Jesus uses this argument to refute the Pharisees' accusation that He drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul. It underscores the authority and power of Jesus over evil forces, demonstrating His divine nature and mission. The verse serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between good and evil, with Jesus ultimately triumphing over darkness through His redemptive work on the cross.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?--The argument here is irresistible. "No organized society can stand--whether kingdom, city, or household--when turned against itself; such intestine war is suicidal: But the works I do are destructive of Satan's kingdom: That I should be in league with Satan, therefore, is incredible and absurd."

John Gill Bible Commentary

Wherefore I say unto you,.... This shows, that what follows is occasioned by what the Pharisees had said, concerning the miracles of Christ; imputing them to diabolical influence and assistance, when they were done by the Spirit of God, of which they themselves were conscious; all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: not unto all men, for there are some, who, as they are never truly convinced of sin, and brought to repentance for it, so they never have the remission of it; but to such to whom God of his free grace has promised, and for whom he has provided this blessing, in the covenant of his grace; for whom the blood of Christ was shed, for the remission of their sins; and who, by the Spirit of God, are made sensible of them, and have repentance unto life given them, and faith in Christ, by which they receive the forgiveness of them: the sense is, that all kind of sin, whether committed more immediately against God, or man, the first or second table of the law, or against any of the divine precepts; be they sins small or great, secret or open, sins of heart, lip, or life, or attended with whatsoever aggravating circumstances; and all kind of blasphemy, or evil speaking of men, or of angels, or of the name of God, but what is hereafter excepted, there is forgiveness of in the grace of God, through the blood of Christ, even for all sorts of men and sinners whatever. The Jews have a saying (z), that God pardons all sins, , "except lasciviousness".'' But this is not excepted by Christ, only what follows, but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, shall not be forgiven unto men: by which is meant, not every ignorant denial of, and opposition to his deity and personality; nor all resistance of him in the external ministry of the word; nor every sin that is knowingly and wilfully committed; but it is a despiteful usage of the Spirit of grace, an opposing, contradicting, and denying the operations wrought, or doctrines revealed by him, against a man's own light and conscience, out of wilful and obstinate malice, on purpose to lessen the glory of God, and gratify his own lusts: such was the sin of the Scribes and Pharisees; who, though they knew the miracles of Christ were wrought by the Spirit of God, yet maliciously and obstinately imputed them to the devil, with a view to obscure the glory of Christ, and indulge their own wicked passions and resentments against him; which sin was unpardonable at that present time, as well as under that dispensation then to come, when the Spirit of God was poured down in a more plenteous manner. (z) Tanchuma apud Buxtorf. Heb. Florileg. p. 126.

Matthew 12:26

A House Divided

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

American Standard Version (1901)

and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?

Bible in Basic English

And if Satan sends out Satan, he makes war against himself; how then will he keep his kingdom?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how then shall his kingdom stand?

Free Bible Version

If Satan drives out Satan, then he's divided against himself—so how could his kingdom stand?

Geneva Bible 1599

So if Satan cast out Satan, he is deuided against himself: how shall then his kingdom endure?

King James (Authorized) Version

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

One Unity Resource Bible

If Satan [Adversary] casts out Satan [Adversary], he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Noah Webster Bible

And if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?

World English Bible

If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Young's Literal Translation

and if the Adversary doth cast out the Adversary, against himself he was divided, how then doth his kingdom stand?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Matthew 12:26

Verse

Context

A House Divided

Summary

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Matthew 12:26

A House Divided

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes