Matthew 12 28

Matthew 12:28 kjv

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Matthew 12:28 nkjv

But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Matthew 12:28 niv

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Matthew 12:28 esv

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Matthew 12:28 nlt

But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 28 Meaning

Matthew 12:28 asserts that Jesus' ability to cast out demons by the power of the Spirit of God serves as undeniable evidence that the Kingdom of God has definitively arrived among them. This means God's sovereign reign and active authority, long prophesied, is not merely a future hope but a present reality in the person and miraculous ministry of Jesus Christ. It marks a profound shift, demonstrating God's victorious invasion into the domain of evil.

Matthew 12 28 Context

Matthew 12:28 is a critical statement delivered by Jesus in response to the Pharisees' malicious accusation. Following Jesus' healing of a demon-possessed, blind, and mute man (Matt 12:22-23), which caused the crowds to wonder if He was the Son of David, the Pharisees defiantly claimed Jesus was casting out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons (Matt 12:24). Jesus logically refutes their absurd claim (Matt 12:25-27), arguing that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, and that if He cast out demons by Beelzebul, then their own exorcists would also be of demonic source. Matthew 12:28 is His triumphant counter-argument, proving the true source of His power and, crucially, establishing the present reality of the Kingdom of God as opposed to Satan's defeated kingdom. This sets the stage for the solemn warning regarding blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31-32).

Matthew 12 28 Word analysis

• Word by word analysis

  • But if (Εἰ δὲ - Ei de): A conditional particle paired with a contrastive conjunction, initiating a pivotal "if-then" argument. It points to an acknowledged fact (Jesus' exorcisms) and presents its unavoidable logical consequence.
  • I (ἐγὼ - egō): Emphatic first-person pronoun, underscoring that Jesus Himself is performing these powerful acts, not some external force.
  • cast out (ἐκβάλλω - ekballō): A strong verb meaning "to throw out," "drive out by force," "expel." It conveys a decisive and complete action of dispossessing the demons, signifying an active spiritual conquest.
  • devils (δαιμόνια - daimonia): Refers to evil spirits or demons, spiritual entities subservient to Satan. Their expulsion signifies the undermining of the kingdom of darkness.
  • by the Spirit of God (ἐν Πνεύματι Θεοῦ - en Pneumati Theou): This is the core declaration of power's source. The Greek "en" here denotes instrumentality ("by means of") or sphere ("in the power of"). It directly refutes the demonic accusation by asserting divine origin. This aligns Jesus' actions with the prophetic empowering of the Messiah by God's Spirit. The parallel passage in Luke 11:20 uses "finger of God," a synonymous phrase indicating direct divine intervention and power.
  • then (ἄρα - ara): A strong inferential particle, meaning "therefore," "consequently," "then it must be." It highlights the logical certainty of the conclusion derived from the stated premise.
  • the kingdom of God (ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ - hē basileia tou Theou): Refers to God's sovereign reign and kingly rule, His active authority, which breaks into human affairs. It's the central theme of Jesus' preaching and is often used interchangeably with "Kingdom of Heaven" in Matthew. Its coming signifies a new spiritual order.
  • is come (ἔφθασεν - ephthasen): An aorist verb, conveying a completed action with lasting results: "has arrived," "has reached," or "has come suddenly upon." It emphatically communicates that the Kingdom is not just impending but already present and active.
  • unto you (ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς - eph’ hymas): Means "upon you" or "among you." This indicates that the kingdom's presence is not abstract or distant but is tangible and effective, directly impacting the audience through the observable works of Jesus.

• Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "But if I cast out devils": This initial clause establishes a concrete and observable reality – Jesus' power to exorcise. It presents a verifiable fact that demands an explanation.
  • "by the Spirit of God": This is Jesus' decisive counter-claim to the Pharisees' false accusation. It identifies the true, divine source of His authority and miraculous power, positioning His work as a direct manifestation of God's active presence and blessing, not demonic influence.
  • "then the kingdom of God is come unto you": This is the momentous conclusion Jesus draws. The very act of overpowering Satan's dominion through God's Spirit proves that God's long-awaited, sovereign rule has decisively broken into the world through Jesus Christ's ministry. It is not just near, but has actively arrived "among you," indicating a present, tangible spiritual invasion.

Matthew 12 28 Bonus section

The significant shift in terms from "Kingdom of Heaven" (prevalent in Matthew, reflecting a Jewish reverence to avoid direct pronouncements of "God's name") to "Kingdom of God" (used here, and consistently by Mark and Luke) underscores the direct, personal involvement and active reign of God Himself. Jesus is showing that God's immediate action through the Spirit directly opposes the powers of darkness. The inability or unwillingness to recognize this divine source for such powerful and beneficial acts, as displayed by the Pharisees, leads Jesus to warn against the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31-32). This particular rejection of the Holy Spirit's manifest work is presented as an unforgivable offense, not because God cannot forgive, but because it represents a complete, hardened resistance to the very agent of conviction and salvation.

Matthew 12 28 Commentary

Matthew 12:28 encapsulates a foundational truth of Jesus' ministry and the Kingdom of God. Faced with the accusation that His power derived from evil, Jesus turned the very acts of exorcism into irrefutable evidence of God's presence and power. The immediate expulsion of demons, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit working through Him, was proof positive that God's kingdom was no longer a future hope but an invasive, reigning reality. Every exorcism signaled a victory of God's domain over Satan's, confirming Jesus as the anointed Messiah through whom God was reclaiming His rightful dominion on earth. This verse clarifies that the Kingdom is manifested not just in teachings, but in powerful deeds that challenge and overcome evil, initiating spiritual liberation here and now. The coming of the Kingdom means God's rule has taken hold and is at work to deliver humanity.

• Examples: Just as a doctor removing a serious illness confirms the return of health, Jesus expelling demons confirms the presence and power of God's Kingdom. When an enemy is driven out of occupied territory, it signifies the liberation and return of rightful rule.