The parable of the "Strong Man Armed" is a teaching of Jesus Christ found in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in Luke 11:21-22 and Matthew 12:29. This parable is part of a larger discourse where Jesus addresses the accusations of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Through this parable, Jesus illustrates the nature of spiritual warfare and the supremacy of His power over evil.

Scriptural Context:

In the Gospel of Luke, the parable is presented as follows:

"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 divides up his plunder." (Luke 11:21-22)

Similarly, in Matthew's account, Jesus uses the imagery of binding the strong man to explain His authority over demonic forces:

"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." (Matthew 12:29)

Interpretation:

The "strong man" in the parable represents Satan, who is depicted as a powerful force guarding his domain. The "house" symbolizes the world or the lives of individuals under the influence of evil. The "possessions" are the souls and lives that Satan seeks to control and keep in bondage.

The "someone stronger" is Jesus Christ Himself, who comes with divine authority and power to defeat Satan and liberate those held captive by sin and demonic oppression. By overpowering the strong man, Jesus demonstrates His superiority and the coming of God's kingdom, which breaks the hold of evil.

Theological Significance:

This parable underscores the central theme of Christ's mission: to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and to bring salvation to humanity. It highlights the spiritual battle between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness, affirming that Jesus is the ultimate victor in this cosmic struggle.

The imagery of binding the strong man also points to the necessity of divine intervention for true deliverance. Human efforts alone are insufficient to overcome the power of evil; it is only through Christ's strength and authority that liberation is possible.

Application:

For believers, the parable serves as a reminder of the victory that Christ has already achieved over Satan. It encourages Christians to rely on the power of Jesus in their spiritual battles and to trust in His ability to protect and deliver them from evil.

Furthermore, the parable calls for vigilance and readiness, as believers are to be aware of the spiritual realities around them and to stand firm in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). It also inspires confidence in the transformative power of the Gospel, which can penetrate even the darkest strongholds and bring freedom to those who are bound.

In summary, the parable of the "Strong Man Armed" is a profound illustration of Christ's authority over evil and His mission to reclaim and redeem what rightfully belongs to God. Through this teaching, Jesus assures His followers of His power to overcome and His commitment to their ultimate deliverance.Mark 3:27
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 11:21
When a strong man armed keeps his palace, his goods are in peace:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
... thoughts he said unto them, ^b in parables [We shall ... that there was a collusion between
Christ and Satan ... Fourth argument:] ^c 21 When the strong man fully armed ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlviii blasphemous accusations of the.htm

The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin, Righteousness, and ...
... of God, when he spoke to others in parables: nay, he ... and can triumphantly say, It
is Christ that justifies ... The strong man armed is now cast out; my soul is in ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the holy spirit convincing the.htm

The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... He described the Devil as though a strong man, fully armed ... of sympathy for the woman
and their hatred of Christ. ... rejoiced; and Jesus spoke the parables of the ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first stages ch.htm

At Gerasa - the Healing of the Demonised.
... The teaching by Parables, and the parabolic miracles which ... might be the subjective
motive for Christ's question. ... of six thousand armed and strong warriors of ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxv at gerasa -.htm

The Social Test of Religion
... The parables of the lost coin, lost sheep, and ... simple human qualities which bring
the strong and the ... This, then, is Christ's test in matters of institutional ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter ix the social test.htm

Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace
... and broken God's law, it has transferred them unto bondage under the allegiance
of one""the strong man armed." They must be freed from that. Christ came, has ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/exposition of the doctrines of.htm

The Study of the Bible Recommended; and a Method of Studying it ...
... faults."You will perhaps make the parables 56 instead ... times more important,) you
yourself feel safe and strong. ... yet still "no room in the Inn" for Christ!. . ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon i the study of.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... Jesus taught in parables. ... growth, and for many centuries the religion named after
Christ had a ... were attracted to him, as the weak are attracted by the strong. ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

Matt. vii. 1
... the same condemnation;" [995] expressing the same sentiments with Christ? ... one, "they
ought to be so strong as to ... much unto the Jews in parables, "because they ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxiii matt vii 1.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... In parables there are two things to be taken notice of ... Every branch,' saith Christ,
'that beareth ... professor from among the children of God: (1.) Strong delusions ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

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