Matthew 12:26
New International Version
If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

New Living Translation
And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.

English Standard Version
And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

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

Berean Literal Bible
And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

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

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

New American Standard Bible
And if Satan is casting out Satan, he has become divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?

NASB 1995
“If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?

NASB 1977
“And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?

Legacy Standard Bible
And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?

Amplified Bible
If Satan casts out Satan [that is, his demons], he has become divided against himself and disunited; how then will his kingdom stand?

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

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

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

Contemporary English Version
So if Satan fights against himself, how can his kingdom last?

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If Satan forces Satan out, he is divided against himself. How, then, can his kingdom last?

Good News Translation
So if one group is fighting another in Satan's kingdom, this means that it is already divided into groups and will soon fall apart!

International Standard Version
So if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How, then, can his kingdom stand?

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

NET Bible
So if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

New Heart English Bible
And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Webster's Bible Translation
And if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?

Weymouth New Testament
And if Satan is expelling Satan, he has begun to make war on himself: how therefore shall his kingdom last?

World English Bible
If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and if Satan casts out Satan, against himself he was divided, how then does his kingdom stand?

Berean Literal Bible
And 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?

Smith's Literal Translation
And if Satan casts out Satan, he was divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how then shall his kingdom stand?

Catholic Public Domain Version
So if Satan casts out Satan, then he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

New American Bible
And if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand?

New Revised Standard Version
If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if Satan cast out Satan. he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And if Satan casts out Satan, he has been divided against himself; how therefore will his Kingdom stand?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?

Godbey New Testament
And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?

Haweis New Testament
so if Satan cast out Satan; he is divided against himself; how then can his kingdom subsist?

Mace New Testament
if satan expels satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom last?

Weymouth New Testament
And if Satan is expelling Satan, he has begun to make war on himself: how therefore shall his kingdom last?

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

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

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



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. 26 If 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.…

Cross References
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. ...

Luke 11:17-22
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. ...

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

2 Corinthians 6:15
What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

Revelation 12:7-9
Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. / But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. / And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Revelation 20:2-3
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. / And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

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.

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Isaiah 14:12-15
How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ...

Ezekiel 28:12-17
“Son of man, take up a lament for the king of Tyre and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. / You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation. / You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for I had ordained you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. ...

Genesis 3:1-5
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ...

Job 1:6-12
One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. / “Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.” / Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.” ...

Zechariah 3:1-2
Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. / And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?”


Treasury of Scripture

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

his.

John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

John 14:30
Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

John 16:11
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

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Adversary Begun Cast Casteth Casts Divided Drives Expelling Kingdom Last Makes Satan Sends Stand Subsist War
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Adversary Begun Cast Casteth Casts Divided Drives Expelling Kingdom Last Makes Satan Sends Stand Subsist War
Matthew 12
1. Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,
3. by scripture,
9. by reason,
13. and by a miracle.
22. He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;
24. and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub,
32. he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.
36. Account shall be made of idle words.
38. He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,
46. and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.














If Satan drives out Satan,
This phrase addresses the accusation that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, another name for Satan. The logic presented here is that it would be counterproductive for Satan to expel his own forces, as it would weaken his dominion. This reflects the broader biblical theme of spiritual warfare, where the kingdom of darkness is in opposition to the kingdom of God. The idea of a house divided is a common theme in Scripture, emphasizing the importance of unity and the futility of internal conflict.

he is divided against himself.
The concept of division within a kingdom or house is used to illustrate the impossibility of sustaining power and authority when internal strife exists. This principle is echoed in other biblical passages, such as Mark 3:24-25 and Luke 11:17, where Jesus uses similar language to convey the same message. Theologically, this underscores the unity and coherence of God's kingdom in contrast to the chaos and disorder of Satan's realm.

How then can his kingdom stand?
This rhetorical question highlights the logical inconsistency in the Pharisees' accusation. If Satan were to undermine his own efforts, his kingdom would inevitably collapse. This statement also serves to affirm the strength and stability of God's kingdom, which is built on truth and righteousness. The imagery of a kingdom standing or falling is prevalent in biblical prophecy, such as in Daniel 2:44, where God's eternal kingdom is contrasted with the transient nature of earthly kingdoms. This phrase ultimately points to the triumph of Christ over the forces of evil, a theme central to the New Testament narrative.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and the crowd, teaching about the nature of His power and authority.

2. Satan
Referred to as the adversary, Satan is depicted as the ruler of a kingdom that is inherently divided and self-destructive.

3. Pharisees
A religious group in Israel known for their strict adherence to the Law. They accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul (another name for Satan).

4. Beelzebul
A name used for Satan, suggesting a demonic power or prince of demons.

5. The Kingdom of Satan
Represents the realm of evil and opposition to God's kingdom, characterized by division and chaos.
Teaching Points
Unity in God's Kingdom
Jesus emphasizes that His power comes from God, not from a divided kingdom like Satan's. Believers are called to unity in Christ, reflecting the harmony and strength of God's kingdom.

Discernment of Spiritual Authority
Christians must discern the source of spiritual power and authority. True power comes from God and aligns with His character and purposes.

The Futility of Division
Division leads to destruction. In families, churches, and communities, unity is essential for strength and effectiveness in advancing God's kingdom.

Recognizing the Enemy's Tactics
Satan's kingdom is marked by division and deceit. Believers should be aware of these tactics and stand firm in truth and unity.

The Power of Christ Over Evil
Jesus' authority over demons demonstrates His supremacy over evil. Believers can trust in His power to overcome spiritual darkness.(26) If Satan cast out Satan.--In the Greek the name has the article in both places, as pointing to the one great adversary. It is not that one Satan casts out another, but that he, on the assumption of the Pharisees, casts out himself. Satan is not personally identified with the demon, the deaf or dumb spirit, that had possessed the man, but the language implies that where evil enters into the soul, Satan enters also. (Comp. John 13:27.) There is, as it were, a seeming ubiquity, a solidarite, in the power of evil, as there is admittedly in the sovereign power of good.

Verse 26. - And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then. The transposition in the Revised Version to how then shall brings out more distinctly the fact that then is not temporal, but argumentative (οϋν.). His kingdom stand? To De Wette's objection that Satan might perhaps do such a thing once so as to gain in other ways, Meyer answers that our Lord is referring to the practice of casting out devils, which, as such, is certainly directed against Satan.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

Satan
Σατανᾶς (Satanas)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4567: An adversary, Satan. Of Chaldee origin corresponding to ma'bad; the accuser, i.e. The devil.

drives out
ἐκβάλλει (ekballei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1544: To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.

Satan,
Σατανᾶν (Satanan)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4567: An adversary, Satan. Of Chaldee origin corresponding to ma'bad; the accuser, i.e. The devil.

he is divided
ἐμερίσθη (emeristhē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3307: From meros; to part, i.e. to apportion, bestow, share, or to disunite, differ.

against
ἐφ’ (eph’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

himself.
ἑαυτὸν (heauton)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

How
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

then
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

{can} his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

stand?
σταθήσεται (stathēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.


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