Luke 11 24

Luke 11:24 kjv

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

Luke 11:24 nkjv

"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.'

Luke 11:24 niv

"When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.'

Luke 11:24 esv

"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.'

Luke 11:24 nlt

"When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.'

Luke 11 verses

Luke 11 24 Meaning

Luke 11:24 describes the restless nature of an evil spirit that has departed from a person. It travels through desolate, uninhabitable spiritual landscapes, actively seeking a new dwelling or place of respite. Failing to find one, the spirit resolves to return to its previous host, whom it still considers its "house," intending to re-establish its control. This serves as a warning about the danger of spiritual emptiness or a temporary cleansing without a subsequent filling by God's presence, as such a vacuum invites the return of evil, often with greater force.

Luke 11 24 Context

Luke 11:24 is embedded within a broader discourse by Jesus regarding spiritual authority and the Kingdom of God. Immediately preceding it, Jesus casts out a demon, prompting accusations from some that He does so by the power of Beelzebul (the prince of demons). Jesus refutes this, demonstrating the illogical nature of Satan casting out Satan (Luke 11:17-18) and declaring that His power signifies the arrival of God's Kingdom (Luke 11:20). He then presents the parable of the strong man being bound (Luke 11:21-22), indicating that He, a stronger one, is plundering Satan's domain. Luke 11:23 warns against spiritual neutrality: "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." This sets the stage for verse 24, which illustrates the perilous spiritual void left when evil is expelled but the vacancy is not filled by God. It’s a warning, particularly for the Jewish audience, who might have expelled some spiritual influences or practiced some cleansing but had not yet embraced the full presence of the Kingdom of God through Jesus.

Luke 11 24 Word analysis

• When (Ὅταν, Hotan): An adverb expressing a contingency or temporal aspect, meaning "whenever" or "at the time that." It points to a recurring or potential situation rather than a one-time event, implying a principle at play.
• the unclean spirit (τὸ ἀκάθαρτον πνεῦμα, to akatharton pneuma):
  • Unclean (ἀκάθαρτον, akatharton): Signifies ritual and moral impurity, designating a state opposite to holiness. This term consistently describes malevolent, fallen spiritual entities throughout the Gospels, aligning with Old Testament concepts of defilement.
  • Spirit (πνεῦμα, pneuma): Here refers to a disembodied evil intelligence or demon. It distinguishes itself from human breath or the Holy Spirit.
• goes out of (ἐξέλθῃ ἀπὸ, exelthē apo):
  • Goes out (ἐξέλθῃ, exelthē): A form of exerchomai, meaning "to come forth, depart, go out." This can happen through exorcism (by divine command) or perhaps on the spirit's own accord, but its intention to return suggests its departure might be tactical or temporary.
• a man (τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, tou anthrōpou): Refers to a generic human being, emphasizing the commonality of the experience. The human body is presented as a potential dwelling.
• it passes through (διέρχεται δι᾿, dierchetai di'):
  • Passes through (διέρχεται, dierchetai): Literally "to go through, travel through." Conveys movement and a journey, indicating the spirit's search for an alternative residence.
• dry places (ἀνύδρων τόπων, anydrōn topōn):
  • Dry (ἀνύδρων, anydrōn): "Waterless, arid, barren." In biblical thought, water often symbolizes life, blessing, and the Spirit (e.g., John 7:37-39). Dry, desolate places are often associated with the demonic or chaos (e.g., Isa 13:21; 34:14), being inhospitable to human life but perhaps a "natural" habitat for these restless spirits in their fallen state.
  • Places (τόπων, topōn): Simply "regions, areas."
• seeking rest (ζητοῦν ἀνάπαυσιν, zētoun anapausin):
  • Seeking (ζητοῦν, zētoun): "Looking for, searching, earnestly desiring." It reveals the active and purposeful pursuit by the spirit.
  • Rest (ἀνάπαυσιν, anapausin): "Cessation from labor, refreshment, rest." Demons, being disembodied and evil, are inherently restless. Their "rest" is to possess and control a living host. This highlights their insatiable desire to occupy.
• and finding none (καὶ μὴ εὑρίσκον, kai mē heuriskon): Indicates the failure of their search, emphasizing that their state of "restlessness" persists.
• it says (λέγει, legei): "He/she/it says, speaks." The spirit audibly or mentally declares its intent.
• ‘I will return (Ὑποστρέψω, Hypostrepsō):
  • I will return (Ὑποστρέψω, Hypostrepsō): A strong declaration of intention, a resolute decision to go back to its original dwelling.
• to my house (εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου, eis ton oikon mou):
  • My house (τὸν οἶκόν μου, ton oikon mou): The spirit claims ownership over the individual from whom it departed. This highlights the demon's possessive and re-assertive nature. "House" is a metaphor for the human body or person, seen as a legitimate dwelling place from the demon's perspective.
• from which I came’ (ὅθεν ἐξῆλθον, hothen exēlthon):
  • From which (ὅθεν, hothen): "From where, whence." Points to the origin of its previous departure.
  • I came (ἐξῆλθον, exēlthon): Reiteration of its prior departure, confirming its place of origin.

Word-group/Phrase analysis:

• "When the unclean spirit goes out... it passes through dry places, seeking rest": This sequence illustrates the inherent nature of evil spirits. They are restless, and their ultimate "rest" or contentment comes from having a body or person to inhabit and control. "Dry places" (ἀνύδρων τόπων) vividly portrays a desolate, spiritually barren wilderness where such spirits roam, contrasting starkly with places watered by the Holy Spirit (e.g., Isa 35:7; John 7:38). It reflects their exiled, yet constantly searching, condition without a human host.
• "and finding none, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’": This highlights the possessive mentality of the demon. Despite having left, it still considers the person its property. The declaration of return signifies a determined will and strategy. This return, as subsequent verses show, is often accompanied by an increase in evil influence, as the vacuum has persisted, possibly becoming more attractive for malevolent occupation.

Luke 11 24 Bonus section

• This parable does not teach that true believers, who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14), can be fully re-possessed by a demon. Instead, it serves as a stark warning, particularly relevant for those who have been exposed to spiritual truth or experienced a form of cleansing, but have not committed to full spiritual occupancy by Christ.
• The concept of "dry places" resonates with some ancient beliefs where desolate, wilderness regions were considered haunts of demons. This paints a picture of spiritual homelessness for the demon when it is dislodged, driving its relentless search for a host.
• The demon's claim of "my house" reveals a warped sense of entitlement. This underlines the possessive nature of evil, asserting a dominion it never rightfully holds but seeks to enforce through usurpation.
• Jesus' point underscores that mere negative spiritual cleansing (removal of evil) is incomplete without positive spiritual infilling (indwelling of the Holy Spirit and dedication to God). The parable contrasts those who are empty and susceptible with those who are actively aligned with the Kingdom of God and, therefore, full and secure in Christ.

Luke 11 24 Commentary

Luke 11:24 unveils a critical spiritual truth about the dynamic nature of evil and the human spiritual condition. Jesus here warns that a mere "emptying" of evil, such as casting out a demon or superficially renouncing sin, is insufficient for lasting spiritual health. If the vacated spiritual space is not subsequently "filled" with God's presence, the Holy Spirit, righteousness, and truth, it remains vulnerable. The unclean spirit, finding no "rest" in its disembodied, wandering state in desolate regions, asserts its perceived right to return to its previous host, its "house."

The implication is profound: an individual who experiences a initial cleansing, whether through an exorcism, repentance, or even a moral reform, is in a more perilous state if they do not proceed to fill their lives with Christ. The emptiness attracts the return of evil, often amplified and accompanied by other, more wicked spirits, making the "last state of that man worse than the first" (Luke 11:26). This teaches us that true spiritual well-being involves not just getting rid of bad influences but actively welcoming and submitting to God's reign in one's life. The heart that has been swept clean must then be furnished and guarded by divine presence, allowing no vacancy for darkness to reclaim its former dominion.