Knowing The Word in Luke 11:14-26, Jesus and Beelzebul

Luke gives us a simple description of a healing that will lead to a controversy. It seems that Jesus’ power over demons is never in question and was an accepted fact even by his opponents. The origin of the name “Beelzebul” is not straight forward. It is most likely a Hebrew derivative of a Canaanite god the Hebrews derogatorily translated to mean “the lord of dung.” Jesus understands them to be using this name as another name for Satan. After being accused of casting out demons by the power of Satan, Jesus constructs a logical argument against them to show the utter failure of their understanding. Satan battles the forces of good, not his own evil forces. The kingdom of God is to be seen and experienced in the power that expels the forces and presence of evil. Evil has a strong grip on people, but when the kingdom of God comes in the grip is broken. When a person sees what the kingdom does and means, he is either for it or against. He either joins in bring the flock of Christ together or works to scatter it. There is no neutrality.

Then Jesus adds a story to show he is not talking about temporary moral reformation but a complete and final defeat of evil. When anyone gets rid of an evil spirit but puts nothing in its place, he is in grave moral danger. No one can live long in a moral vacuum. The kingdom of God does not bring a vacuum but a defeat of evil, which is replaced with the Holy Spirit.

14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

Prayer: O Lord, hear our prayers, not according to the poverty of our asking but according to the richness of your grace, so that our lives may conform to those desires which accord with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reinhold Niebuhr, 1892-1971