Mark 3 23

Mark 3:23 kjv

And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?

Mark 3:23 nkjv

So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan?

Mark 3:23 niv

So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan?

Mark 3:23 esv

And he called them to him and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan?

Mark 3:23 nlt

Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. "How can Satan cast out Satan?" he asked.

Mark 3 verses

Mark 3 23 Meaning

(h2)Mark 3:23 presents Jesus' logical refutation of the scribes' accusation that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul (Satan). By calling them to Him and using a rhetorical question functioning as a parable or riddle, Jesus demonstrates the inherent absurdity and self-defeating nature of Satan's kingdom working against itself. His point is that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, thus implicitly confirming that His power to cast out demons is from God, not from the kingdom of darkness, as Satan would not undermine his own dominion.

Mark 3 23 Context

(h2)Mark 3:23 is nestled within a crucial section where Jesus' escalating ministry confronts increasing opposition. The verse directly follows the serious accusation made by the scribes who had come from Jerusalem. They asserted that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons (Mark 3:22), and that He Himself had an "unclean spirit." This malicious charge attacked the very source and nature of Jesus' power. Prior to this, Jesus' growing popularity, His healing ministry (including healing on the Sabbath which incensed the Pharisees), and His appointment of the twelve apostles demonstrated His divine authority, which was now being willfully misconstrued as demonic. This context sets the stage for Jesus' sharp rebuttal, not only challenging their faulty logic but also warning them about the danger of attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to evil (leading into the "unpardonable sin" warning).

Mark 3 23 Word analysis

(h2)

• And (Καὶ - Kai): Connects Jesus' response directly to the preceding accusation. It indicates an immediate, reactive statement to their claim.
• he called them (προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτούς - proskalesamenos autous): "Proskalesamenos" (aorist participle of proskaleo) means to summon or call to oneself. Jesus doesn't ignore the accusation but directly engages His accusers, bringing them closer to facilitate personal instruction or confrontation.
• to him (πρὸς αὐτόν - pros auton): Reinforces the action of summoning to His direct presence. It's an intentional drawing near for a discourse.
• and said to them (ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς - elegen autois): "Elegen" is the imperfect tense, which can denote a continuous action, implying that this was part of an ongoing dialogue or teaching.
• in parables (ἐν παραβολαῖς - en parabolais): "Parabolais" here refers to a comparison, an illustration, a proverb, or a riddle, rather than a lengthy narrative story. In this instance, it is a rhetorical question that functions as a short, insightful argument designed to expose a truth or error. It requires the listeners to ponder the implications.
• How (Πῶς - Pos): A rhetorical interrogative that signifies impossibility or absurdity. It introduces a challenge to the logic of the previous statement.
• can (δύναται - dynatai): From "dynamai," meaning "to be able," "to have power." It highlights the issue of capability and feasibility.
• Satan (Σατανᾶς - Satanas): Derived from the Hebrew word for "adversary" or "accuser." It personifies the ultimate cosmic evil, the chief fallen angel, distinct from Beelzebul (though contextually equated here).
• cast out (ἐκβαλεῖν - ekbalein): An infinitive meaning "to throw out," "expel," "drive out forcibly." This is the action Jesus is accused of performing, demonstrating His power over evil spirits.
• Satan? (Σατανᾶς - Satanas): The repetition emphasizes the core absurdity. It implies a total internal contradiction.

Words-group by words-group analysis (ul)

• "How can Satan cast out Satan?": This powerful rhetorical question forms the crux of Jesus' rebuttal. It highlights the profound illogicality of the scribes' accusation. Jesus implies that Satan, as a coherent power of evil, would never act against his own unified kingdom by expelling his own agents, as such action would lead to the dissolution of his dominion. This exposes the malice and intellectual dishonesty of His accusers, affirming that His exorcisms must be sourced from a superior power, that is, God.

Mark 3 23 Bonus section

(h2)

• The "parables" in this verse are an example of Jesus employing "mashal" (Hebrew concept for a proverb, riddle, or weighty saying) as a teaching tool. It is not a lengthy narrative, but a succinct, profound statement designed to challenge and instruct.
• This specific argument is a "reductio ad absurdum," where Jesus takes their premise to its illogical conclusion to show its falsehood.
• The charge of Beelzebul represents one of the most severe forms of opposition Jesus faced, attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. This is why it immediately precedes the stern warning against blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29).
• The passage reveals the nature of Satan's kingdom as unified in its rebellion against God, even though individual demons may manifest discord in their torment of humans.
• Jesus' ability to cast out demons is one of the clearest signs of the arrival of God's Kingdom and His ultimate authority over all creation, including the spiritual realm.

Mark 3 23 Commentary

(h2)Mark 3:23 marks a pivotal moment where Jesus confronts the deep-seated prejudice and wilful ignorance of the scribes from Jerusalem. Their accusation that He operates by the power of Beelzebul, rather than God, represents a critical spiritual blindness. Jesus’ response, delivered "in parables" as a rhetorical question, brilliantly exposes the absurdity of their charge. He logically argues that any kingdom, even that of Satan, must possess internal coherence and unity to survive. If Satan were to cast out Satan, it would signify an internal revolt that would inevitably lead to his own downfall, a goal contrary to the very nature of evil. This powerful truth serves to dismantle their faulty premise, making it clear that Jesus' power over demons does not align with the strategy of darkness but instead fundamentally opposes and conquers it. This exchange sets the stage for Jesus to explain that His true source of power is from God, and by casting out demons, He is actually plundering Satan's kingdom (Mark 3:27), signifying the in-breaking of God's reign.