Luke 11 15

Luke 11:15 kjv

But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

Luke 11:15 nkjv

But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."

Luke 11:15 niv

But some of them said, "By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons."

Luke 11:15 esv

But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,"

Luke 11:15 nlt

but some of them said, "No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons."

Luke 11 verses

Luke 11 15 Meaning

This verse reveals a stark opposition to Jesus' power. Following Jesus' miraculous casting out of a demon and restoring speech to a mute man, "some of them"—a specific group, distinct from the marvelling crowd—attribute His ability to cast out demons not to God, but to Beelzebul, whom they identify as the chief or ruler of the demons. This is a severe accusation, claiming that Jesus' divine work originates from satanic power, effectively accusing Him of being an agent of evil.

Luke 11 15 Context

Luke 11:15 occurs immediately after Jesus performs a miracle, casting out a demon from a mute man, enabling him to speak (Luke 11:14). This act of power evokes varied responses: while "the crowds marveled" (Luke 11:14) at His work, "some of them"—a group identified as those critical of Jesus, likely religious leaders or their followers—uttered this damning accusation. The broader chapter context includes Jesus' teaching on prayer (the Lord's Prayer), and His subsequent, powerful refutation of this specific charge against His authority and source of power (Luke 11:17-23). This sets the stage for His further teachings about spiritual readiness, the coming of the Kingdom, and ultimately, His confrontations with religious leaders who demand signs yet refuse to recognize divine power. Historically, this incident reflects the intense opposition Jesus faced from those who clung to their traditions and prejudices, unwilling to accept a divine Messiah who challenged their established understanding and authority, choosing instead to misattribute His undeniable miracles to evil sources. The belief in evil spirits and exorcism was common, making the source of the power a crucial point of contention.

Luke 11 15 Word analysis

• "But" (Δέ - De): This conjunction introduces a sharp contrast. It signifies a divergence from the marveling reaction of the general crowd mentioned in the previous verse (Luke 11:14), highlighting an opposing viewpoint or group.
• "some of them" (τίνες ἐξ αὐτῶν - tines ex autōn): This phrase points to a distinct group within the observers. They are not simply passive witnesses but individuals actively forming and voicing an opinion contrary to the positive reception of the crowds. They likely represent a segment of religious authority or skepticism.
• "said" (εἶπαν - eipan): A simple verb indicating communication, but in this context, it carries the weight of a severe charge being uttered.
• "He casts out" (ἐκβάλλει - ekballei): The Greek verb signifies to "throw out," "drive out," or "expel" forcefully. The use of the present tense denotes an ongoing or habitual action, acknowledging Jesus' consistent power over demons. The accusers acknowledge the act itself but dispute its origin.
• "demons" (δαιμόνια - daimonia): Malign spiritual beings. The accusers recognize Jesus' power over these entities.
• "by Beelzebul" (Ἐν Βεελζεβοὺλ - En Beelzeboul):
  • "by" (ἐν - en): In this context, it signifies the instrumental means or agency. It means "by means of" or "through." The accusation is that Beelzebul is the source of Jesus' power.
  • "Beelzebul" (Βεελζεβούλ - Beelzeboul): This is a direct name for the chief of demons or Satan himself in the New Testament period. It's possibly a derogatory adaptation of "Baal-zebub," a Philistine god worshipped in Ekron (2 Kgs 1:2). To attribute Jesus' exorcisms to Beelzebul was a grave and blasphemous charge, equating divine power with diabolical agency.
• "the ruler of the demons" (τῷ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων - tō archonti tōn daimoniōn):
  • "the ruler" (τῷ ἄρχοντι - tō archonti): The Greek term means "chief," "prince," or "leader." This title emphasizes Beelzebul's preeminent position within the demonic hierarchy.
  • "of the demons" (τῶν δαιμονίων - tōn daimoniōn): This clarifies whose "ruler" Beelzebul is, reinforcing that he is the highest authority among the malevolent spirits. This part of the statement makes the accusation even more specific and severe: Jesus is working not just with any demon, but with the very lord of evil.
• "But some of them said, 'He casts out demons by Beelzebul'" (words-group analysis): This entire statement expresses profound spiritual blindness and malicious intent. Instead of marveling at a benevolent act of deliverance, this specific group, possibly motivated by envy, fear, or a rigid rejection of Jesus, resorts to attributing divine work to satanic power. This demonstrates their unwillingness to acknowledge God's presence and activity in Jesus, preferring a narrative that discredits Him as an agent of evil. It is a calculated and dangerous polemic against Jesus' ministry.
• "Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons" (words-group analysis): This phrase identifies Beelzebul as the supreme power among the fallen spirits. By connecting Jesus' power to this figure, the accusers are making the most serious accusation possible against Him, implying that Jesus is actively collaborating with the epitome of evil to perform His works.

Luke 11 15 Bonus section

• The accusation of working through Beelzebul is highly significant because it verges on the "unforgivable sin" or blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus, by casting out demons, was operating under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. To attribute the Spirit's work (through Jesus) to Satan was to deny the source of divine truth and power directly.
• This charge implies that the accusers themselves acknowledged the reality and power of demonic oppression, yet chose to assign its defeat to the wrong spiritual realm. Their logic, which Jesus swiftly dismantled, failed to account for Satan working against his own kingdom.
• The deliberate misrepresentation of good as evil by "some of them" foreshadows the growing animosity that would ultimately lead to Jesus' crucifixion. It highlights a core spiritual principle: the resistance of hardened hearts to divine truth, often twisting reality to maintain their rejection.

Luke 11 15 Commentary

Luke 11:15 records one of the most critical accusations against Jesus during His ministry. After His undeniable power to cast out a demon, a faction of His audience—likely religious skeptics or enemies—responded by attributing this divine work to Beelzebul, the prince of demons. This was a profound perversion of truth; to witness an act of God's liberating power and call it the work of Satan revealed not ignorance, but deep spiritual malice and willful blindness. Jesus' subsequent rebuttal highlights the logical absurdity of a kingdom divided against itself and asserts that His exorcisms, rather than being proof of demonic alliance, are irrefutable evidence that the Kingdom of God has arrived and is actively conquering the domain of Satan. This moment underscores the stark spiritual conflict Jesus brought, exposing the hearts of those who refused to accept God's grace and actively distorted truth.