Matthew 12:27

Matthew 12:27, in plain English

Jesus asks a pointed question: if I cast out demons by Satan's power, what about your own followers who do the same thing? They will judge your hypocrisy.

Why it's here

Jesus catches the Pharisees in a double standard. They do not accuse their own exorcists of working with demons -- only Jesus. Their bias is showing.

Who's speaking

Jesus challenges the Pharisees.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus turns the tables perfectly: your own people cast out demons too. Are they also working with Satan? The double standard exposes the real motive behind the accusation.

The scholarly reading

Jesus poses an ad hominem argument: if He casts out demons by Beelzebul, by what power do the Pharisees' own followers (hoi huioi humon) perform exorcisms? Their own practitioners become their judges.

Language and setting

Jewish exorcism practices existed in Second Temple Judaism (cf. Acts 19:13-14). Jesus turns the Pharisees' accusation back on them: they must apply the same standard to their own exorcists.

Voice

Jesus challenges the Pharisees' inconsistency.

Significance

Jesus exposes the double standard: the Pharisees' own followers practice exorcism without being accused of demonic collusion, so why do they apply a different standard to Jesus?

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.

26If 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.

28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

29Or 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.

Read all of Matthew 12 — Grain fields on a Saturday spark a furious confrontation. Jesus claims an authority that makes the Pharisees begin plotting his death.