Jesus Is Accused of Working with Beelzebul^(A)

²² Then some people brought Jesus a man possessed by a demon. The demon made the man blind and unable to talk. Jesus cured him so that he could talk and see.

²³ The crowds were all amazed and said, “Can this man be the Son of David?” ²⁴ When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man can force demons out of people only with the help of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.”

²⁵ Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is ruined. And every city or household divided against itself will not last. ²⁶ If Satan forces Satan out, he is divided against himself. How, then, can his kingdom last? ²⁷ If I force demons out of people with the help of Beelzebul, who helps your followers force them out? That’s why they will be your judges. ²⁸ But if I force demons out with the help of God’s Spirit, then God’s kingdom has come to you. ²⁹ How can anyone go into a strong man’s house and steal his property? First he must tie up the strong man. Then he can go through his house and steal his property.

³⁰ “Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters. ³¹ So I can guarantee that people will be forgiven for any sin or cursing. However, cursing the Spirit will not be forgiven. ³² Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this world or the next.

Jesus Is Accused of Working with Beelzebul^(A)

¹⁴ Jesus was forcing a demon out of a man. The demon had made the man unable to talk. When the demon had gone out, the man began to talk.

The people were amazed. ¹⁵ But some of them said, “He can force demons out of people only with the help of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.” ¹⁶ Others wanted to test Jesus and demanded that he show them some miraculous sign from heaven.

¹⁷ Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is ruined. A house divided against itself falls. ¹⁸ Now, if Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? I say this because you say Beelzebul helps me force demons out of people. ¹⁹ If I force demons out with the help of Beelzebul, who helps your followers force them out? That’s why they will be your judges. ²⁰ But if I force out demons with the help of God’s power, then God’s kingdom has come to you.

²¹ “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe. ²² But a stronger man than he may attack him and defeat him. Then the stronger man will take away all the weapons in which the strong man trusted and will divide the loot.

²³ “Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.