Mark 3:23

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Mark 3:23 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?

King James Version KJV

And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?

American Standard Version ASV

And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?

Bible in Basic English BBE

And turning to them, he said to them in the form of a story, How is it possible for Satan to put out Satan?

Free Bible Version FBV

But Jesus called them over to him. Using illustrations he asked them, “How can Satan throw out Satan?

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

But he called them vnto him, and said vnto them in parables, How can Satan driue out Satan?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And, having called them near, in similes he said to them, 'How is the Adversary able to cast out the Adversary?

World English Bible WEB

He summoned them and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And he called them to him , and said to them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And after he had called them together, he said to them in parables: How can Satan cast out Satan?

Translation for Translators T4T

Jesus summoned those men. Then he spoke to them in parables to enable them to realize that Satan would not oppose his own evil spirits. He also wanted them to realize that by expelling evil spirits, he was demonstrating that he was much more powerful than Satan. So he said, “◄It is ridiculous to suggest that Satan would expel his own evil spirits!/Why would Satan expel his own evil spirits?► [RHQ]

Plain English Version PEV

Jesus knew the law teachers were rubbishing him like that, so he called out to them and said, “Come here and listen to me.” Then he told them stories to teach them. He said, “Think about Satan, the boss over the bad spirits. Do you reckon he fights against his own mob of bad spirits? That doesn’t make sense.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Mark 3:23

BAB

Word Study

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Mark 3:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK και προσκαλεσαμενος αυτους εν παραβολαις ελεγεν αυτοις πως δυναται σατανας σαταναν εκβαλλειν

και kai G2532 and Conj

προσκαλεσαμενος proskaleō G4341 to call to/summon Verb-ADP-NSM

αυτους autos G846 it/s/he Pron-APM

εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep

παραβολαις parabolē G3850 parable Noun-DPF

ελεγεν legō G3004 to say Verb-IAI-3S

αυτοις autos G846 it/s/he Pron-DPM

πως pōs G4459 how?! Adv-I

δυναται dunamai G1410 be able Verb-PNI-3S

σατανας Satanas G4567 Satan Noun-NSM

σαταναν Satanas G4567 Satan Noun-ASM

εκβαλλειν ekballō G1544 to expel Verb-PAN

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Mark 3:23

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

προσκαλεσαμενος proskaleō G4341 "to call to/summon" Verb-ADP-NSM

To call to or summon means to invite someone to come near, like in Matthew 10:1 and Mark 3:13. This can be a physical or spiritual call, where God or someone in authority is inviting others to follow or respond.

Definition: προσ-καλέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for קָרָא ;] to call to. Mid., to call to oneself (see M, Pr., 157): with accusative of person(s), Mat.10:1, Mrk.3:13 6:7, Luk.7:19, Act.5:40, Jas.5:14, al. Metaphorical, of the Divine call: Act.2:39; with inf., Act.16:10 (see Bl., § 69, 4); before εἰς, Act.13:2.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 31 NT verses. KJV: call (for, to, unto) See also: Acts 2:39; Luke 18:16; James 5:14.

αυτους autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-APM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep

This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.

Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.

παραβολαις parabolē G3850 "parable" Noun-DPF

A parable is a story that teaches a moral lesson by comparing two things. Jesus often used parables in his teachings, like the parable of the fig tree in Matthew 24:32.

Definition: παραβολή, -ῆς, ἡ (παραβάλλω), [in LXX (cf. McNeile, Mt., 185): Num.23:7, Deu.28:37, Psa.44:14, Pro.1:6, Eze.12:22, al. (מָשַׁל), Sir.47:17 (חִידָה), al. mutt. in Sir, Wis.5:3 ;] __1. a placing beside, juxtaposition (Polyb., al.). __2. a comparing, comparison (Plat., Arist., al.). __3. a comparison, illustration, analogy, figure (Arist., al.) : Mat.24:32, Mrk.3:23, Heb.9:9 11:19; specif. of the pictures and narratives drawn from nature and human life which are characteristic of the synoptic teaching of our Lord, a parable: Mat.13:3, 10 Mrk.4:2, 10, Luk.8:4, 9-11, al.; with genitive ref., Mat.13:18, 36 __4 4 Like Heb. מָשַׁל (1Ki.10:12, Pro.1:6, Sir.3:29, al.), = παροιμία, a proverb or gnomic saying: Luk.4:23 5:36 6:39 SYN.: παροιμία (see Abbott, Essays, 82 ff.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 48 NT verses. KJV: comparison, figure, parable, proverb See also: Hebrews 9:9; Mark 4:13; Hebrews 11:19.

ελεγεν legō G3004 "to say" Verb-IAI-3S

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

αυτοις autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-DPM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

πως pōs G4459 "how?!" Adv-I

How is a question about the way something is done, as in Matthew 12:29, or an exclamation of surprise, like how much something is.

Definition: πῶς, interrog. adv., correl. of ὅπως, __1. prop., in direct questions, how?: with indic., Mat.12:29, Mrk.3:23, Luk.11:18, Jhn.3:4, al.; καὶ π., Mrk.4:13, Luk.20:44; π. οὖν, Mat.12:26; π. οὐ, Mat.16:11, Luk.12:56; in deliberative questions (cf. Bl., §64, 6), with subjc., Mat.23:33 26:54; π. οὖν, Rom.10:14; π. δέ, Rom.10:14, 15; before ἄν, with optative, Act.8:31. __2. As sometimes in cl. but more frequently and increasingly so in late writers (see WM, §57, 2; Bl., §70, 2; Thumb, MGr., 192; Jannaris, Gr., App., vi, 13f.), = ὅπως, ὥς; __(a) in indirect discourse: with indic., Mat.6:28, Mrk.12:41, Luk.8:36, Jhn.9:15, Act.9:27, al.; with subjc., Mrk.11:18, Luk.12:11; __(b) in exclamations: Mat.21:20, Mrk.10:23, 24 Luk.12:50 18:24, Jhn.11:36. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 104 NT verses. KJV: how, after (by) what manner (means), that See also: 1 Corinthians 3:10; Luke 8:18; Hebrews 2:3.

δυναται dunamai G1410 "be able" Verb-PNI-3S

To be able or have power, as in Matthew 6:24 and Mark 2:7, meaning to have the capability or strength to do something.

Definition: δύναμαι, depon., [in LXX chiefly for יָכֹל ;] to be able, have power, whether by personal ability, permission, or opportunity: with inf. (M, Pr., 205; WM, §44, 3) pres., Mat.6:24, Mrk.2:7, Jhn.3:2, 1Co.10:21, al.; with inf. aor., Mat.3:9, Mrk.1:45, Jhn.3:3, 4 Rom.8:39, al.; with accusative, to be able to do something: Mrk.9:22, Luk.12:26; 2Co.13:8; absol., to be able, capable, powerful: 1Co.3:2 10:13. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 199 NT verses. KJV: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power See also: 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 15:4; Hebrews 2:18.

σατανας Satanas G4567 "Satan" Noun-NSM

Satanas is another term for Satan, emphasizing his role as the accuser, as seen in Matthew 4:10 and Luke 10:18. He is the enemy of God and humanity, working to deceive and destroy. Satan is a major figure in the New Testament.

Definition: Σατανᾶς, -ᾶ (so also Sir 21:30, but in 3Ki.11:14, σατάν indecl.; Heb. שָׂטָן; Aram. סָטָנָא, whence the inflected Gk. form), ό, Satan (i.e. the adversary, as in LXX, ll. with): Mat.4:10 12:26, Mrk.1:13 3:23, 26 4:15 Luk.10:18 11:18 13:16 22:3, 31, Jhn.13:27, Act.5:3 26:18, Rom.16:20, 1Co.5:5 7:5, 2Co.2:11 11:14, 1Th.2:18, 2Th.2:9, 1Ti.1:20 5:15, Rev.2:9, 13 2:24 3:9 12:9 20:2, 7; addressed in person of Peter, Mat.16:23 Mrk.8:33; ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ, 2Co.12:7.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 33 NT verses. KJV: Satan See also: 1 Corinthians 5:5; Luke 22:31; Revelation 2:9.

σαταναν Satanas G4567 "Satan" Noun-ASM

Usage: Occurs in 33 NT verses. KJV: Satan See also: 1 Corinthians 5:5; Luke 22:31; Revelation 2:9.

εκβαλλειν ekballō G1544 "to expel" Verb-PAN

To expel means to forcefully drive or send something out, as seen in Matthew 7:22 and Mark 1:34. Jesus used this word when describing casting out demons. It can also mean to send away or put out, as in Matthew 15:17.

Definition: ἐκ-βάλλω [in LXX chiefly for גָּרַשׁ pi., also for שָׁלַךְ hi., יָצָא hi., יָרַשׁ hi., etc. ;] __1. to drive, cast or send out, to expel: with accusative of thing(s), mid. (σῖτον), before εἰς, Act.27:38; pass., Mat.15:17; with accusative of person(s), Mat.21:12, Mrk.11:15, al.; δαιμόνια, Mat.7:22, Mrk.1:34, al.; id. before ἐκ, Mrk.7:26; παρά, Mrk.16:9; ἐν, Mrk.3:22; (ἐν) τ. ὀνόματι, Mat.7:22, Mrk.9:38; λόγῳ, Mat.8:16; before ἔξω, Jhn.6:37; id. with genitive, Mrk.12:8, al.; of expulsion from home, Gal.4:30; from the Church, III Jn 10. __2. In LXX and NT (like Heb. יָצָא and Aram. הַנְפֵּק), to command or cause to depart: Mat.9:38, Mrk.1:12 (see Swete, in l.), ib. Mrk.1:43 5:40, Luk.10:2, Jas.2:25; τ. κρίσιν εἰς νῖκος (to cause to proceed to its goal), Mat.12:20 (LXX). __3. to reject (cl.): τ. ὄνομα ὑμῶς ὡς πονηρόν (cf. Deu.25:14), Luk.6:22; to leave out, Rev.11:2. __4. to take, draw or pluck out; __(a) with violence: Mat.7:5, Mrk.9:47, Luk.6:42; __(b) to bring forth or out of: Mat.12:35, Luk.10:35. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 76 NT verses. KJV: bring forth, cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, pluck (pull, take, thrust) out, put forth (out), send away (forth, out) See also: 3 John 1:10; Mark 3:23; James 2:25.

Study Notes — Mark 3:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Mark 3:23 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Mark 3:23
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 3:23
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 3:23
Trapp's Commentary on Mark 3:23
Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 3:23
Cambridge Bible on Mark 3:23
Sermons on Mark 3:23

Context — A House Divided

21When His family heard about this, they went out to take custody of Him, saying, “He is out of His mind.” 22And 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.”

23So Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?

24If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand. 25If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Luke 11:17–23	Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, and then he divides up his plunder. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
2	Matthew 12:25–30	Knowing 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. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
3	Matthew 13:34	Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.
4	Matthew 4:10	“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ”
5	Mark 4:2	And He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said,
6	Psalms 49:4	I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:

Mark 3:23 Summary

In Mark 3:23, Jesus is asking a question to help people understand that He is not working with Satan, but against Him. Jesus is showing that it doesn't make sense for Satan to drive out his own demons, just like a kingdom or house cannot stand if it is divided against itself, as He explains in Mark 3:24-25. This teaches us that Jesus has authority over the spiritual realm and is working to bring people to God, as seen in John 3:16. By understanding this, we can trust that Jesus is our Savior and that He is working for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Jesus speak to them in parables in Mark 3:23?

Jesus spoke in parables to teach spiritual truths and to help His listeners understand the nature of God's kingdom, as seen in Matthew 13:10-17, where Jesus explains the purpose of parables to His disciples.

What is the significance of Jesus asking 'How can Satan drive out Satan?' in Mark 3:23?

Jesus is highlighting the absurdity of the scribes' claim that He is possessed by Beelzebul, pointing out that Satan would not work against himself, as seen in the context of Mark 3:22, where the scribes accuse Jesus of being possessed by the prince of demons.

How does this verse relate to the spiritual warfare that Jesus is engaged in?

This verse shows that Jesus is aware of the spiritual forces at work against Him, and He is challenging the notion that He is in league with Satan, instead demonstrating His authority over the demonic realm, as seen in Luke 11:14-23, where Jesus casts out a demon and teaches about the strong man.

What can we learn about Jesus' teaching style from Mark 3:23?

Jesus' use of parables and rhetorical questions, as seen in Mark 3:23, shows that He is a master teacher who engages His listeners and challenges them to think deeply about spiritual truths, as also seen in Matthew 21:24-27, where Jesus asks the Pharisees a question about John's baptism.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that Satan tries to deceive us into thinking that God is not at work in our lives, and how can we counter those lies with the truth of Scripture?
How can we, like Jesus, demonstrate the authority of God's kingdom in our own lives and witness to others?
In what ways are we, as believers, engaged in spiritual warfare, and how can we put on the full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, to stand against the forces of darkness?
What are some parables or teachings of Jesus that have helped you understand the nature of God's kingdom, and how have you applied those truths in your life?

Gill's Exposition on Mark 3:23

And he called them unto him,.... The Jerusalem Scribes, to come nearer to him, and attend to what he had to say in defence of his character and miracles: and said unto them in parables: similitudes,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 3:23

And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. For the exposition, see the notes at Matthew 12:22-37, and at Luke 11:21-26.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 3:23

See Poole on ""

Trapp's Commentary on Mark 3:23

23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? Ver. 23.

Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 3:23

(23) Said unto them in parables.—The word is used in its wider sense, as including any form of argument from analogy more or less figurative. As in most reports of discourses as distinct from facts, St. Mark is somewhat briefer than St. Matthew.

Cambridge Bible on Mark 3:23

23. How can Satan cast out Satan?] Using an irresistible argumentum ad hominem He shews them the absurdity of supposing that Satan could be his own enemy. If neither kingdom, nor city (Matthew 12:25), nor house could stand, when divided against itself, much less could the empire of the Evil One.

Sermons on Mark 3:23

	Sermon	Description
	The Finger of God by Richard E. Bieber	Richard E. Bieber preaches on the ministry of casting out demons by the finger of God, emphasizing that every follower of Jesus is called to operate in this realm. He challenges th
	The Bond of Perfection by K.P. Yohannan	K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the critical importance of unity within the Body of Christ, likening disunity to a boxing match between one's own limbs. He warns that the devil exploits d
	Unity by Glenn Meldrum	Glenn Meldrum emphasizes the crucial role of unity among believers in promoting revival, highlighting how division and strife hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. He explores the te
	Every House Divided Against Itself Shall Not Stand! by Keith Daniel	In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of being worn out and upset due to the constant fighting and turmoil happening in the church. He witnesses a group of peop
	(Matthew) ch.11:25-12:30 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of finding rest in Jesus. He explains that this rest can only be obtained by responding to the call of Jesus and taking His yoke
	The Beauty of Unity by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, the preacher begins by sharing that he felt prompted to preach a different message than planned. He then reads from the book of Mark, specifically chapter 3, where
	The Nature of Man - Trichotomy Stated and Refuted Part 2 by John Murray	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Hebrews 4:12, which states that the word of God is living and powerful. He emphasizes that the word of God is sharper than a two-handed swor