Mark 3:20-27 (NKJV) A House Divided Cannot Stand
(Matt. 12:22–30; Luke 11:14–23)
20 Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.”
22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.”
23 So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. 27 No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.
V20 “Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.” So many people are seeking help but not so much for the spiritual help. Yet, there were not just seekers, but haters in the crowd. The reaction of the God haters is predictable—false accusations (Zechariah 3:1-2,Job 1:9, and John 8:44), violence (Ephesians 6:1-2, 1 Peter 5:8, and Hebrews 2:14), and seeking to destroy. Many people hate truth especially when their evil is exposed (John 3:19).
V21 “But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” His own people probably were friends and relatives. There is one accusation—He is insane. Where is the proof? There is none. These people hated Him for no reason, so they wanted to kill Him. Compare John 7:5-7, John 10:20, and John 15:24-25.
V22 “And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” Beelzebub/Beelzebub is “the prince of demons.” Jesus names Beelzebub satan in verse 23. The ungodly Scribes did the same. They wanted Him to be hated by the people, because the people were listening to Jesus instead of them. When we are doing and saying what is correct and true and then hated, lied about, and set up for failure, we understand a little of what Jesus went through for 3+ years.
Envy is a sin (Galatians 5:21), can be from the success of others (1 Samuel 18:6-8 and Psalm 73:3), or can be from others’ spiritual gifts (Acts 13:44-45). Real love does not envy (1 Corinthians 13:4).
V23 “So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?” Jesus simplifies the stupidity of their beliefs. Jesus gives the perfect answer. No one answered His question. Because they knew but refused to believe. Compare Mark 9:19 (“unbelieving generation”), Matthew 13:58 and John 12:37 (few miracles), John 16:9 (sin), John 8:45 (didn’t like the truth told), and John 5:47 (didn’t believe Moses either).
V24 “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” If a kingdom is having a civil war, they cannot fight the common enemy.
V25 “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” The same is true of a family.
V26 “And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.” After the premises, Jesus gives the conclusion. When reading the book of Revelation, take note of how most people will worship the antiChrist and seek to destroy all Christians.
V27 “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.” Covetousness is a strong motivation for destroying innocent people. Satan and all his followers will be destroyed.
We learn:
- Living a godly life according to the teachings of Jesus Christ will result in persecution.
- Evil people love to destroy, especially after the exposure of their evil.
Questions:
- What is your reaction to the Lord Jesus?
- Have you ever experienced persecution?