Matthew 12 26

Matthew 12:26 kjv

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

Matthew 12:26 nkjv

If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Matthew 12:26 niv

If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

Matthew 12:26 esv

And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Matthew 12:26 nlt

And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 26 Meaning

Matthew 12:26 presents Jesus's logical refutation to the Pharisees' accusation that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul (Satan). Jesus argues that if Satan were casting out Satan, he would be working against his own interests, causing internal division within his own spiritual kingdom. Such self-destructive action would inevitably lead to the downfall and dissolution of Satan's domain. The verse is a rhetorical question designed to highlight the absurdity and self-contradictory nature of their accusation, emphasizing that Satan would not destroy his own operations.

Matthew 12 26 Context

Matthew 12:26 is part of a crucial confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities, primarily the Pharisees. The immediate context is found in Matthew 12:22-37. Jesus had just performed a remarkable miracle, healing a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, leading the crowds to marvel and question if He might be the promised "Son of David" (Messiah). The Pharisees, however, blinded by envy and hardened in their hearts, offered a cynical and blasphemous explanation: they accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons (Matt 12:24). This accusation implies that Jesus's power came from Satan, not from God, thereby denying His divine authority and identity. Jesus responds to this slander with a series of logical arguments (the divided kingdom, stronger man, and binding of the strong man), and issues a severe warning against blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, which is the ultimate spiritual rejection and misattribution of divine work. Historically, demon possession was understood and common in Jewish culture, and exorcism was practiced by various individuals. The Pharisees' accusation was a desperate attempt to discredit Jesus in the eyes of the public and solidify their opposition to Him by associating His righteous, liberating work with evil. It was a direct polemic against the reality of God's Kingdom breaking in through Jesus.

Matthew 12 26 Word analysis

• And if (Greek: κἀι ἐι, kai ei): This conjunction introduces a conditional statement, effectively saying "And even if" or "Suppose that." It's Jesus adopting their premise for a moment to demonstrate its logical absurdity.
• Satan (Greek: Σατανᾶς, Satanas): From the Hebrew word meaning "adversary" or "accuser." It refers to the chief of the fallen angels, the embodiment of evil, who is hostile to God and humanity. He is recognized as having an organized "kingdom."
• cast out (Greek: ἐκβάλλῃ, ekballē): This verb means "to throw out," "to expel," "to drive out." It is the very term used elsewhere to describe Jesus's powerful exorcisms, highlighting the paradoxical nature of the Pharisees' claim.
• Satan (Greek: Σατανᾶς, Satanas): Used here as the object, reinforcing that it is Satan himself who is supposedly being cast out.
• he is divided (Greek: ἐμερίσθη, emeristhē): The perfect indicative verb indicates a completed action with ongoing results, meaning "he has been divided" or "he stands divided." It signifies a state of internal conflict, dissension, or fragmentation.
• against himself (Greek: ἐφ᾽ ἑαυτόν, eph’ heauton): This reflexive pronoun emphasizes that the division is internal and self-inflicted, within Satan's own being or kingdom.
• how shall then (Greek: πῶς οὖν, pōs oun): A rhetorical interrogative, "How then" or "In what way then." It expresses the logical impossibility of the conclusion that would follow their absurd premise. It demands the listener recognize the irrationality of the accusation.
• his kingdom (Greek: ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ, hē basileia autou): This refers to the dominion, reign, or sphere of influence of Satan. It encompasses all demonic forces and the spiritual realm of darkness where evil holds sway over humanity. It implies an organized, though malevolent, power structure.
• stand? (Greek: σταθήσεται, stathēsetai): Future tense of "to stand," implying stability, permanence, or endurance. The rhetorical question suggests that such a kingdom cannot remain stable or continue to exist.

• "And if Satan cast out Satan": This phrase directly confronts the absurd logic of the Pharisees. It presents a hypothetical scenario where the very being credited with power to Jesus, Satan, is seen undermining himself. It implies a self-destructive action that contradicts the very nature of an intelligent, albeit evil, ruler. Satan’s ultimate goal is to oppose God and expand his dominion, not to diminish it.
• "he is divided against himself": This is a universal principle applied to a spiritual power. Any entity—whether a household, kingdom, or even an individual—that experiences such severe internal conflict and self-sabotage is inherently weakened and prone to collapse. This highlights Satan's fundamental opposition to good, meaning he wouldn't intentionally undo his own work of oppression.
• "how shall then his kingdom stand?": This is the inescapable, logical conclusion drawn from the premise of a divided entity. It's a rhetorical question, expecting the obvious answer: "It cannot stand." Jesus underscores that if He, by God's power, is defeating demonic forces, it proves that He is opposed to Satan's kingdom and is in fact destroying it, not upholding it. This exposes the deep spiritual blindness of the Pharisees.

Matthew 12 26 Bonus section

This verse demonstrates Jesus's rhetorical brilliance and His ability to expose the spiritual blindness and illogic of His accusers. It sets the stage for Jesus to assert that He is the "stronger man" who has entered Satan's house and bound him, plundering his possessions (demons and demon-possessed individuals) (Matt 12:29). This particular argument is part of the larger theme throughout the Gospels of Jesus actively conquering evil and demonstrating God's supreme power over demonic forces. It underscores the active spiritual conflict inherent in Jesus's ministry and identifies Him as the decisive agent in God's battle against Satan's kingdom. The very fact that the Pharisees were compelled to resort to such a specious accusation highlights the undeniable nature of Jesus's miracles.

Matthew 12 26 Commentary

Jesus's argument in Matthew 12:26 is a masterful demonstration of logical refutation and spiritual discernment. By simply tracing the implications of the Pharisees' accusation, Jesus reveals its inherent absurdity. A kingdom divided against itself cannot endure, a principle that applies universally from political realms to personal lives. Satan, as an intelligent and organized adversary, would not strategically undermine his own authority by expelling his own agents of evil. Such an action would lead to the disintegration of his influence and dominion. Therefore, Jesus demonstrates that His power, which demonstrably frees people from demonic oppression, cannot possibly originate from Satan. Instead, His works are evidence that a stronger power—God's power, by the Spirit (Matt 12:28)—is actively invading and destroying Satan's kingdom. This verse concisely proves that Jesus is waging war on the kingdom of darkness, signifying the arrival of the Kingdom of God.

• Example: Think of an army general launching an attack on his own troops during a battle – this would not lead to victory but certain defeat.
• Example: A business CEO intentionally sabotaging their own company's products – this would ensure its failure, not its growth.