Mark 3 27

Mark 3:27 kjv

No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Mark 3:27 nkjv

No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

Mark 3:27 niv

In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man's house.

Mark 3:27 esv

But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.

Mark 3:27 nlt

Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger ? someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.

Mark 3 verses

Mark 3 27 Meaning

Mark 3:27 is an analogy spoken by Jesus that explains the nature of His power and ministry, particularly His ability to cast out demons. It teaches that no one can invade a strong man's domain and seize his possessions unless that strong man is first subdued and bound. In this context, the "strong man" represents Satan, and his "goods" or "house" symbolize those enslaved by his power through sin, illness, or demonic oppression. Jesus, by casting out demons and delivering people, demonstrates that He is the "stronger one" who has already "bound" or decisively overcome Satan, thereby being able to "plunder" his dominion and rescue His captives.

Mark 3 27 Context

Mark 3:27 is found within a pivotal section of Jesus' early ministry where His authority is directly challenged by religious leaders. Scribes from Jerusalem have arrived and accused Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, claiming He casts out demons by the power of demons (Mk 3:22). Jesus skillfully refutes this absurd accusation first by showing the illogicality of Satan fighting against himself (Mk 3:23-26), asserting that "A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand." He then follows with the analogy of Mark 3:27, asserting that His ability to perform exorcisms is not an act of demonic alliance, but rather definitive proof that He has already invaded and overcome the kingdom of Satan, incapacitating its ruler. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mk 3:28-30), highlighting the gravity of attributing the Holy Spirit's work to Satan. Historically and culturally, exorcisms were understood within Jewish tradition, but Jesus’ authority was unique, often challenging existing interpretations of spiritual power and divine intervention.

Mark 3 27 Word analysis

• No man (οὐδεὶς - oudeis): Signifies an absolute impossibility for anyone, other than the specific "stronger" individual described, to perform such an act. It underscores the unique nature of the "one stronger."

• can enter (δύναται εἰσελθεῖν - dynatai eiselthein): Refers to the capability and possibility of forceful penetration or invasion. It's about overcoming resistance to gain access.

• into a strong man's house (εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν τοῦ ἰσχυροῦ - eis tēn oikian tou ischyrou):

  • strong man (ἰσχυροῦ - ischyrou): In this analogy, the "strong man" is unequivocally Satan, the embodiment of evil and spiritual power opposed to God. This term highlights his formidable power and established dominion.
  • house (οἰκίαν - oikian): Symbolizes Satan's sphere of authority and influence—his established kingdom, territory, or even specific individuals whom he controls or afflicts (his "possessions").

• and spoil (καὶ διαρπάσαι - kai diarparasai): This verb means "to plunder," "to rob," or "to carry off by force as spoil." It denotes a violent appropriation of property or captives. In context, it refers to Jesus liberating those held captive by Satan.

• his goods (τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ - ta skeue autou): These "goods" or "possessions" represent the victims of Satan's power—people held in bondage by sin, demonic oppression, or disease. These are the individuals whom Jesus delivers, taking them from Satan's dominion.

• except he will first bind (ἐὰν μὴ πρῶτον δήσῃ - ean mē prōton dēsē):

  • first (πρῶτον - prōton): This adverb is crucial, emphasizing the necessary precondition and chronological priority. The binding must happen before any plundering can occur.
  • bind (δήσῃ - dēsē): To tie up, to restrain, to incapacitate. It signifies rendering someone powerless or restricting their movement and influence. This is Jesus' decisive victory over Satan.

• the strong man (τὸν ἰσχυρόν - ton ischyron): Reiterates that the very power of darkness, Satan himself, is the one who must be overcome.

• and then he will spoil his house (καὶ τότε τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ διαρπάσει - kai tote tēn oikian autou diarparasai):

  • then (τότε - tote): Marks the direct consequence and outcome. Once the strong man is bound, the plundering becomes possible.

• Words-group analysis:

  • No man can enter...except he will first bind: This phrase highlights the logical and spiritual necessity of a greater power. It establishes a divine prerequisite for the defeat of evil.
  • a strong man's house, and spoil his goods: This imagery depicts the scene of conflict and liberation. Satan's established domain and his human captives are the targets of Christ's invasion.
  • bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house: This sequence reveals Jesus' strategy and victory. His "binding" of Satan is the enabling act for all His acts of deliverance and healing, signifying the establishment of His kingdom over darkness.

Mark 3 27 Bonus section

• The analogy subtly introduces the idea of Jesus as "the stronger one" (a concept more explicitly stated in Lk 11:22). While Mark does not use the comparative adjective here, the logical implication of someone successfully binding the "strong man" is that the binder must be inherently more powerful.
• This verse underpins the understanding of salvation as liberation from spiritual bondage. Just as Jesus physically freed people from demons, so too does He spiritually liberate individuals from the power of sin and Satan (Acts 26:18, Col 1:13).
• The phrase "spoil his house" emphasizes that Jesus' ministry is an act of invasion and conquest, not negotiation or compromise with evil. His work dismantles the dominion of darkness.

Mark 3 27 Commentary

Mark 3:27 functions as Jesus' concise yet profound self-revelation concerning His identity and mission, directly refuting the blasphemous accusation from the scribes. By performing exorcisms, Jesus was not a demon working with other demons, but rather God's Anointed One, invading the territory of the enemy. The "strong man" is Satan, whose "house" represents his realm of control—the world system under his sway and individual lives he has held captive. The "goods" are the people themselves, afflicted by demons, disease, or sin, whom Jesus comes to set free.

The pivotal point is the "first bind." Jesus is essentially saying, "My power to liberate these 'goods' from Satan's dominion is proof that I have already incapacitated Satan." This "binding" of Satan occurred at the outset of Jesus' public ministry (perhaps symbolized by His triumph in the wilderness temptations, where He decisively defeated Satan's attempts to corrupt Him, Mk 1:12-13). It continued throughout His ministry, demonstrating a decisive breaking of Satan's grip on humanity, culminating definitively in His death and resurrection which effectively disarmed principalities and powers (Col 2:15).

Thus, every healing, every deliverance, and every conversion through Jesus' ministry (and through the work of the Spirit afterward) is an act of "plundering" Satan's house—a rescue of souls previously enslaved, an undeniable sign that God's Kingdom has forcefully advanced against darkness. This verse establishes that Christ is supremely victorious over Satan, not in collaboration with him, setting the theological framework for understanding spiritual warfare and the redemptive work of Jesus.