Luke 11 26

Luke 11:26 kjv

Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

Luke 11:26 nkjv

Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first."

Luke 11:26 niv

Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first."

Luke 11:26 esv

Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first."

Luke 11:26 nlt

Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before."

Luke 11 verses

Luke 11 26 Meaning

Luke 11:26 conveys a sobering spiritual principle: when an unclean spirit departs from a person, if that spiritual vacuum is not filled by the Holy Spirit and a commitment to Christ, the evil spirit will return. It will not return alone but will gather additional, even more malevolent, spirits. These multiple spirits then re-enter and take up permanent residence, resulting in the individual's final state being far worse and more profoundly afflicted than their original condition. The verse serves as a dire warning against superficial cleansing without true transformation and the filling of one's life with divine presence.

Luke 11 26 Context

Luke 11:26 concludes a section where Jesus responds to accusations that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons (Lk 11:14-19). Jesus refutes this by stating that a divided kingdom cannot stand, demonstrating His power over Satan by metaphorically binding the "strong man" (Satan) to plunder his goods (exorcise demons). He then warns that whoever is not with Him is against Him (Lk 11:23). The immediate context of the "empty house" parable (Lk 11:24-26) explains that casting out a demon is not enough; the void left must be filled. The parable directly applies to the spiritual state of Israel at the time, particularly the religious leaders who had performed outward cleansing but rejected Jesus, the true presence of God. This created a greater spiritual emptiness, making their final condition worse. It highlights that deliverance from evil must lead to an embrace of divine truth and presence, not merely a clean, empty state susceptible to greater spiritual attack.

Luke 11 26 Word analysis

• Then goeth he (τότε πορεύεται, tote poreuetai): "Then" marks a temporal sequence after the spirit is cast out. "Goeth" indicates the intentional movement of the unclean spirit (πνεῦμα ἀκάθαρτον, pneuma akatharton) mentioned in Luke 11:24. It emphasizes the active, deliberate nature of the spirit.
• and taketh to him (καὶ παραλαμβάνει, kai paralambanei): The Greek implies taking along, fetching, or associating with oneself. It denotes the spirit purposefully gathering additional reinforcements.
• seven other spirits (ἑπτὰ ἕτερα πνεύματα, hepta hetera pneumata):
  • Seven (ἑπτά, hepta): This number often symbolizes completeness or perfection in biblical symbolism (e.g., seven days of creation, seven spirits of God). Here, it conveys an overwhelming and decisive increase in the number of evil spirits, implying a greater intensity of spiritual assault and dominion.
  • Other (ἕτερα, hetera): This word suggests "others of a different kind" or "additional." It points to new or intensified forms of wickedness.
  • Spirits (πνεύματα, pneumata): Refers to evil spiritual beings or demons, distinct from human spirits.
• more wicked than himself (πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ, ponērotera heautou):
  • More wicked (πονηρότερα, ponērotera): A comparative adjective, highlighting an escalation in depravity, maliciousness, or harm. The subsequent evil is worse in nature or degree than the original single spirit.
  • Himself (ἑαυτοῦ, heautou): Refers to the initial unclean spirit that departed.
• and they enter in (καὶ εἰσελθόντα, kai eiselthonta): Emphasizes the successful penetration and re-occupation of the "house" (the man or the spiritually vacant life).
• and dwell there (κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ, katoikei ekei): Katoikeo signifies to settle down, reside permanently, or make one's abode. It indicates that the re-occupation is not temporary but establishes a lasting dominion. This is in contrast to the earlier state of just "passing through" empty places (Lk 11:24).
• and the last state (καὶ γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα, kai ginetai ta eschata): "Last state" refers to the final, subsequent condition or outcome of the man. It signifies the end result of allowing spiritual vacuum and re-infestation.
• of that man (τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου, tou anthrōpou ekeinou): Clearly specifies the individual from whom the first spirit departed.
• is worse than the first (χείρονα τῶν πρώτων, cheirona tōn prōtōn):
  • Worse (χείρονα, cheirona): Comparative adjective. This is the crucial warning: the person's final condition will be objectively worse, more miserable, and more spiritually captive than before the initial deliverance.
  • The first (τῶν πρώτων, tōn prōtōn): Refers to the man's original state when inhabited by a single unclean spirit.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits": This phrase details the deliberate, organized nature of evil. The initial demon is not simply wandering aimlessly but strategically reinforcing its presence. The number "seven" signifies an overwhelming force, making the subsequent possession far more intense and complete.
• "more wicked than himself": This highlights the increasing severity and malignity of the spiritual problem. It suggests that continued rejection of spiritual filling can lead to a more profound and entrenched wickedness, deeper spiritual corruption.
• "and they enter in, and dwell there": This signifies full re-occupation and establishing permanent residence. The spiritual space is not just temporarily visited but firmly repossessed, indicating a stronger, more complete subjugation of the individual.
• "and the last state of that man is worse than the first": This is the climax and the stark warning. Mere deliverance from outward evil without a proactive filling by divine good leaves a person vulnerable to an even more devastating spiritual downfall. It emphasizes the perilous nature of spiritual vacuum and complacency.

Luke 11 26 Bonus section

This teaching underscores that repentance and initial deliverance are steps, not the complete journey. Without the subsequent indwelling and constant presence of the Holy Spirit, along with the nourishing of the soul by God's Word, a person risks spiraling into a condition far more entrenched in sin and spiritual bondage than their starting point. The verse implies that the resistance or opposition encountered by Jesus' message among some Jewish leaders—their rejection of Him despite their claims of religious piety—left their spiritual "house" susceptible to an even greater manifestation of darkness, ultimately leading to their greater condemnation. The concept also speaks to national or corporate spiritual decline: mere reform without a true heart-turn back to God often results in deeper moral decay.

Luke 11 26 Commentary

Luke 11:26 presents a profound truth about spiritual transformation and the nature of evil. The parable warns that simply being rid of an evil is insufficient. Deliverance, while vital, must be followed by occupation—the "empty house" must be filled. If a life is cleansed but not filled with the presence of God and the Holy Spirit, it becomes a vacant premise, making it not only vulnerable but actively attractive to evil forces. The returning demon, now emboldened and reinforced with a greater number of even more malevolent spirits, reclaims dominion. This re-possession is not fleeting but permanent, leading to a state far more spiritually enslaved and tragic than the initial condition.

This verse applies powerfully to spiritual apostasy, individuals who once experienced some form of "cleansing" or conviction but then drifted away, never truly allowing God's Spirit to inhabit their lives. It warns against superficial morality or external reforms without internal, Spirit-led transformation. True freedom comes not from merely being emptied of evil but by being filled with Christ. A heart abandoned to itself, no matter how outwardly "clean," will inevitably be filled by something; the void within humanity demands occupation. This passage is a strong reminder that neutrality is not an option in the spiritual realm: either Christ reigns within, or darkness will return with greater vengeance.