Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. New Living Translation But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. English Standard Version But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Berean Standard Bible But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Berean Literal Bible But if I cast out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. King James Bible But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. New King James Version But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. New American Standard Bible But if I cast out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. NASB 1995 “But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. NASB 1977 “But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Legacy Standard Bible But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Amplified Bible But if I drive out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already come upon you. Christian Standard Bible If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Holman Christian Standard Bible If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. American Standard Version But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. Contemporary English Version But if I use God's power to force out demons, it proves that God's kingdom has already come to you. English Revised Version But if I by the finger of God cast out devils, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. GOD'S WORD® Translation But if I force out demons with the help of God's power, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Good News Translation No, it is rather by means of God's power that I drive out demons, and this proves that the Kingdom of God has already come to you. International Standard Version But if I drive out demons by the power of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. NET Bible But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already overtaken you. New Heart English Bible But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come to you. Webster's Bible Translation But if I with the finger of God cast out demons, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. Weymouth New Testament But if it is by the power of God that I drive out the demons, it is evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon you. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. World English Bible But if I by God’s finger cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come to you. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbut if by the finger of God I cast forth the demons, then the Kingdom of God came unaware on you. Berean Literal Bible But if I cast out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Young's Literal Translation but if by the finger of God I cast forth the demons, then come unawares upon you did the reign of God. Smith's Literal Translation And if by the finger of God I cast out demons, then has the kingdom of God got beforehand to you. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut if I by the finger of God cast out devils; doubtless the kingdom of God is come upon you. Catholic Public Domain Version Moreover, if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then certainly the kingdom of God has overtaken you. New American Bible But if it is by the finger of God that [I] drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. New Revised Standard Version But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut if I cast out devils by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God is come near you. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “But if I cast out devils by the finger of God, the Kingdom of God has come near to you.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then has the kingdom of God already come upon you. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament But if with the finger of God I cast out devils, then, verily the kingdom of God is come unto you. Mace New Testament but if I cast out demons by the finger of God, it follows, that the reign of the Messiah is now begun among you. Weymouth New Testament But if it is by the power of God that I drive out the demons, it is evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon you. Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A House Divided…19And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure.… Cross References Matthew 12:28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Exodus 8:19 “This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said. Matthew 12:25-27 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. Mark 3:23-27 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. / If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand. ... John 3:2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.” Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. 1 John 3:8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. Matthew 10:1 And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness. Luke 10:9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ Luke 10:18 So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Matthew 9:33 And when the demon had been driven out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” Matthew 11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Isaiah 35:5-6 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. / Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, Psalm 72:12-14 For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. / He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed. / He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight. Treasury of Scripture But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come on you. the finger. Exodus 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. the kingdom. Luke 11:17 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. Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? Luke 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? Luke 10:9,11 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you… Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Acts 20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Jump to Previous Cast Demons Devils Doubt Drive Evident Evil Finger Forth Kingdom Overtaken Power Reign Spirits UnawaresJump to Next Cast Demons Devils Doubt Drive Evident Evil Finger Forth Kingdom Overtaken Power Reign Spirits UnawaresLuke 11 1. Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;11. assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him. 14. He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees; 27. and shows who are blessed; 29. preaches to the people; 37. and reprimands the outward show of holiness. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God This phrase highlights Jesus' authority over demonic forces, emphasizing His divine power. The "finger of God" is a metaphor for God's direct intervention and power, reminiscent of Exodus 8:19, where the magicians of Egypt recognized God's power in the plagues. This connection underscores Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and His role as the divine Messiah. The act of driving out demons signifies the breaking of Satan's hold and the inauguration of a new era of spiritual authority. then the kingdom of God has come upon you Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the crowd and responding to accusations that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul. 2. Demons Spiritual beings opposed to God, which Jesus is casting out, demonstrating His authority over the spiritual realm. 3. The Finger of God A metaphorical expression indicating the power and authority of God at work through Jesus. This phrase echoes the Old Testament, where it signifies divine intervention. 4. The Kingdom of God The reign and rule of God, which Jesus declares has come upon the people through His works and presence. 5. The Crowd The audience witnessing Jesus' miracles and hearing His teachings, some of whom are skeptical and accuse Him of using demonic power. Teaching Points Divine AuthorityJesus' ability to cast out demons by the "finger of God" underscores His divine authority and identity as the Son of God. Believers can trust in His power over all spiritual forces. Presence of the Kingdom The coming of God's kingdom is not just a future hope but a present reality demonstrated through Jesus' ministry. Christians are called to live in the reality of God's kingdom now. Spiritual Discernment The crowd's skepticism serves as a warning to discern spiritual truths carefully. Believers should seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to recognize God's work in the world. Faith in Action Jesus' works call for a response of faith. Believers are encouraged to actively participate in God's kingdom by living out their faith and sharing the gospel. Victory Over Evil Jesus' triumph over demons assures believers of victory over evil. Christians can stand firm in spiritual battles, knowing they are empowered by the same Spirit. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 11:20?2. How does Luke 11:20 affirm Jesus' authority over demonic powers? 3. What does "finger of God" signify about divine intervention in Luke 11:20? 4. How does Luke 11:20 connect to Exodus 8:19 regarding God's power? 5. How can we recognize God's kingdom presence in our daily lives? 6. How should Luke 11:20 influence our approach to spiritual warfare today? 7. How does Luke 11:20 demonstrate the authority of Jesus over demons? 8. What does "finger of God" signify in Luke 11:20? 9. How does Luke 11:20 relate to the concept of the Kingdom of God? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 11? 11. What does 'Finger of God' mean? 12. What is the concept of Realized Eschatology? 13. Exodus 31:18 – Does the description of God literally writing the tablets “with His finger” conflict with the idea of a non-physical deity, and how can this be explained logically? 14. What does "Finger of God" mean? What Does Luke 11:20 Mean But- The single word opens with a sharp contrast. Jesus has just refuted the charge that He casts out demons by Beelzebul (Luke 11:14-19). - By saying “But,” He overturns their accusation and redirects the focus from darkness to light, just as John 1:5 shows light overcoming darkness. - The contrast underscores two kingdoms in conflict—Satan’s versus God’s (Colossians 1:13). if I drive out demons - Jesus points to an observable fact: demons really are being expelled (Luke 4:35; 7:21). - This is not theory. It is a public demonstration that evil spirits submit to Him (Mark 1:27). - Such deliverances verify Isaiah 61:1, where Messiah frees captives. - The “if” is not doubtful; it is rhetorical: “Since I drive them out…” by the finger of God - The phrase recalls Exodus 8:19, where Egyptian magicians confessed, “This is the finger of God.” Just as plagues proved God’s supremacy over Egypt, exorcisms prove His supremacy over Satan. - “Finger” highlights effortless power. God does not need an army; one finger suffices (Psalm 8:3’s “work of Your fingers”). - It also echoes the tablets “written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:10), linking Jesus’ acts with divine authority behind the Law. then the kingdom of God - Jesus connects the miracles to the arrival of God’s reign. Whenever the King acts, the kingdom is present (Matthew 12:28, the parallel verse). - Signs and wonders are kingdom evidence (Hebrews 2:4). - The kingdom is not mere future hope; Jesus announces it as present and advancing (Luke 17:21). has come upon you - The verb is decisive: God’s rule has already broken in. Listeners stand face-to-face with it (Mark 1:15). - “Upon you” is personal. Spectators cannot stay neutral (John 3:19-21). - Acceptance means freedom and life (John 8:36); rejection invites judgment (Luke 10:10-12). summary Jesus’ expulsion of demons is living proof that God’s overpowering, effortless authority is on the move. The King’s presence signals that the long-awaited kingdom has arrived, confronting every heart with a choice: submit to His gracious rule or resist and remain under darkness. (20) If I with the finger of God . . .--Note the substitution of this language for "by the Spirit of God," in Matthew 12:28, and its connection with the use by the older prophets of "the hand of the Lord," to indicate the state which issued in prophetic inspiration (Ezekiel 1:3; Ezekiel 37:1), and with "the finger of God" as writing the Commandments on the tables of stone (Exodus 31:18), and Pharaoh's confession that "the finger of God" was with Moses and Aaron in the wonders which they wrought (Exodus 8:19). The meaning of this boldly anthropomorphic language is sufficiently obvious. As the "hand" denotes power generally, so the "finger" symbolises power in its concentrated and specially-directed energy.Verse 20. - But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. Here Jesus points to a fact well known and thoroughly established. There was no question here; the most obstinate cases of possession had yielded to that "finger" be spoke of here; the fiercest of the, alas! (then) great company of the insane, at the bidding of that quiet, humble Rabbi, for ever shook off the spirit of madness, in whatever form of terrible possession it had been dwelling in his body. There was no question here; the only point raised by his enemies how had that quiet Rabbi done these strange, mighty works - Jesus had answered; and now draws a picture of one of these acts of his. The "finger of God" in St. Matthew, where the same or a similar discourse is related, is called the "Spirit of God." The expression is strange, but is one not unusual in ancient Hebrew phraseology. So the Egyptian magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God" (Exodus 8:19). The ten commandments are described as written on the two tables of stone with the "finger of God." "You have seen by what power the devils obey me; yea, the kingdom of God, for which you are waiting and looking, lo, it is come upon you."Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Butδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. if εἰ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. drive out ἐκβάλλω (ekballō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1544: To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject. demons δαιμόνια (daimonia) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 1140: 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 Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [the] finger δακτύλῳ (daktylō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 1147: A finger. Probably from deka; a finger. of God, Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. then ἄρα (ara) Conjunction Strong's 686: Then, therefore, since. Probably from airo; a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. kingdom βασιλεία (basileia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm. of God Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. has come ἔφθασεν (ephthasen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 5348: Apparently a primary verb; to be beforehand, i.e. Anticipate or precede; by extension, to have arrived at. upon ἐφ’ (eph’) Preposition Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at. you. ὑμᾶς (hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Links Luke 11:20 NIVLuke 11:20 NLT Luke 11:20 ESV Luke 11:20 NASB Luke 11:20 KJV Luke 11:20 BibleApps.com Luke 11:20 Biblia Paralela Luke 11:20 Chinese Bible Luke 11:20 French Bible Luke 11:20 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Luke 11:20 But if I by the finger (Luke Lu Lk) |