Matthew 12 27

Matthew 12:27 kjv

And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

Matthew 12:27 nkjv

And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.

Matthew 12:27 niv

And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.

Matthew 12:27 esv

And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

Matthew 12:27 nlt

And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said.

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 27 Meaning

This verse presents Jesus' direct counter-argument to the Pharisees' accusation that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul (Satan). Jesus exposes their hypocrisy by pointing out that some of their own followers or spiritual kin also practice exorcism. If Jesus' exorcisms, which demonstrably free people from evil, are attributed to Satan, then by what power do their own "sons" (disciples, or fellow Jewish exorcists) perform similar acts? The illogicality of their accusation against Jesus renders their own practices, by their own standards, questionable. Thus, their "sons" would implicitly serve as judges, revealing the Pharisees' inconsistent and self-condemning judgment against Jesus.

Matthew 12 27 Context

Matthew 12:27 is part of a crucial confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders, specifically the Pharisees, following Jesus' healing of a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute (Matt 12:22-24). The crowds are amazed, asking if Jesus might be the Son of David, the Messiah. The Pharisees, feeling their authority challenged and unwilling to acknowledge Jesus, respond with a blasphemous accusation: "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons" (Matt 12:24). Jesus' argument in verses 25-29 systematically refutes this. First, He uses logical reasoning ("A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand," Matt 12:25-26), showing that Satan would not cast out his own demons, as that would weaken his kingdom. Then, in verse 27, He directly challenges their own practices, turning their accusation back on them by referencing "your sons." Historically, exorcism was practiced within Jewish circles, not always successfully, but it was a recognized spiritual act. By attributing Jesus' powerful and freeing works to Satan while overlooking similar (and often less effective) practices among their own, the Pharisees revealed their spiritual blindness, hypocrisy, and malice against God's power manifest in Jesus. This passage culminates in Jesus warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 12 27 Word analysis

• And if I (καὶ εἰ ἐγὼ – kai ei ego): The conjunction "kai" (and) connects this verse to the preceding logical argument. "Ei" (if) introduces a hypothetical condition for argument's sake, assuming their premise without admitting it. "Ego" (I) emphasizes Jesus' own person.

• cast out (ἐκβάλλω – ekballō): This verb means to drive out, expel, or force out. It implies a powerful action, not merely persuasion. It highlights the decisive nature of Jesus' exorcisms.

• demons (δαιμόνια – daimonia): Refers to evil spirits or fallen angels. In Jewish thought, these were active agents of evil influencing people, causing various afflictions. Jesus' consistent authority over them demonstrated His divine power.

• by Beelzebul (ἐν Βεελζεβοὺλ – en Beelzeboul): "En" (by/in) indicates the instrumentality or power source. "Beelzebul" (more properly Beelzebul or Beelzebul, derived from the Philistine god Baal-zebub, "Lord of the flies," in 2 Kgs 1:2) had become a Jewish derogatory term for Satan or the chief of demons. This was the specific and blasphemous accusation by the Pharisees.

• by whom (ἐν τίνι – en tini): Again, "en" (by/in) inquires about the source of power, questioning their own assumed spiritual authority. "Tini" (whom) interrogates the specific agent.

• do your sons (οἱ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν – hoi huioi hymōn): "Huioi" (sons) in this context does not necessarily mean literal offspring, but followers, disciples, or those of a similar persuasion or lineage who performed exorcisms within Jewish communities. This could refer to certain Jewish exorcists known to the Pharisees. "Hymon" (your) directly addresses the Pharisees, linking the "sons" to their sphere of influence.

• cast them out (ἐκβάλλουσιν – ekballousin): The same verb, highlighting the parallel action. Jesus forces the comparison: if He casts out demons by Satan, by whom do their associated individuals do the same?

• Therefore (διὰ τοῦτο – dia touto): A strong connective phrase, meaning "because of this," indicating the logical consequence of their inconsistent accusation.

• they will be (αὐτοὶ ἔσονται – autoi esontai): "Autoi" (they, these very ones) refers back to "your sons." "Esontai" (will be) implies a future, inevitable consequence or judgment.

• your judges (ὑμῶν κριταί – hymōn kritai): "Hymon" (your) again personalizes the judgment. "Kritai" (judges) means accusers or those whose actions implicitly stand as evidence that contradicts the Pharisees' stance. They will expose the Pharisees' illogical and condemnatory reasoning through their own deeds. Their practices serve as an implicit condemnation of the Pharisees' own judgmentalism.

• "if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out?": This forms a rhetorical question designed to expose the logical fallacy and hypocrisy of the Pharisees' argument. Jesus takes their premise (He uses demonic power) and applies it to a practice they likely tolerated or approved of among their own, thus cornering them into a self-contradictory position.

• "Therefore they will be your judges": This powerful concluding statement signifies that the actions of their "sons" (other Jewish exorcists), who perform similar feats, will serve as evidence against the Pharisees' judgment of Jesus. Their own standards and practices would condemn their irrational and prejudiced stance.

Matthew 12 27 Bonus section

• Significance of "Beelzebul": The choice of "Beelzebul" by the Pharisees was deeply malicious. It linked Jesus directly to the chief of demonic forces, a profound insult and an accusation of blasphemy against God. By doing so, they elevated evil to the source of divine good, demonstrating their ultimate opposition to God's work.
• Precedent for Jewish Exorcism: Historical and textual evidence (like Josephus and the Dead Sea Scrolls) indicates that some forms of exorcism were indeed practiced among Jews in Jesus' time, often through incantations or appeals to figures like Solomon. This makes Jesus' counter-argument particularly incisive, as the Pharisees could not deny the existence of such practices among their own people.
• The Problem of Double Standards: This verse encapsulates the problem of applying double standards, where the same action is judged differently depending on who performs it. The Pharisees' refusal to acknowledge Jesus' divine authority led them to an irrational position, highlighting their spiritual prejudice over factual evidence or consistent logic.

Matthew 12 27 Commentary

Matthew 12:27 showcases Jesus' brilliant counter-argument, masterfully turning the Pharisees' blasphemous accusation against them. By suggesting that Jesus' power over demons comes from Beelzebul, the Pharisees revealed not only their spiritual blindness but also a profound internal inconsistency. Jesus challenged them: if His expulsions of evil are demonic, by what source do their own associates, who also practice exorcism, operate? The existence of Jewish exorcists was acknowledged; the Sons of Sceva in Acts 19 provide a later example. The very fact that they recognized exorcism, yet attributed Jesus' unprecedented authority to Satan, was illogical. Jesus implied that by their own misguided criteria, their "sons" would either have to be considered also in league with demons, or the Pharisees would be forced to admit the true divine source of all successful exorcism, including Jesus'. Thus, their own kindred acts became the silent, yet powerful, "judges" of the Pharisees' hardened hearts and twisted reasoning, demonstrating their self-condemnation through their illogical premise and condemning accusations. This moment highlighted Jesus' authority and exposed the religious leaders' resistance to the manifest Kingdom of God.