Keraia
Matthew 12

Matthew 12:29

A House Divided · Matthew 12:22–30
Read Matthew 12

Translations

Modern
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
Traditional
Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
Literal
Or how is anyone able to enter into the house of the strong man and to plunder his goods, unless first he should bind the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
Latin
Aut quomodo potest quisquam intrare in domum fortis, et vasa ejus diripere, nisi prius alligaverit fortem? et tunc domum illius diripiet.

Original

Greek
English
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

Notes

Matthew 12:29

  • This parable forced the Pharisees to answer a simple question. Can anyone drive out demons without first controlling Satan's powers and opposing him (see Isaiah 49:24–26; 53:12)?

  • ties up the strong man: This points to how Jesus defeated Satan. He overcame him in the wilderness temptation (Matthew 4:1–11), continued to overcome him throughout his ministry (see Luke 10:17–20), and won the final victory at the cross (see Colossians 2:14–15).

Matthew 12:22–45

The Pharisees, the teachers of religious law, and many people of his generation rejected the Messiah.

Theme notes and profiles

God or Satan? Jesus and Satan

Events

Parallels

Mark 3:20–27 Luke 11:14–23

Glossary

Demon-Possession Gospel Gospel of Matthew Jesus Christ Judgment Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Miracle

Topics

Binding and Loosing Jesus, the Christ: Heals a Demoniac, and Denounces the Scribes and Pharisees (In Galilee) Jesus, the Christ: Miracles of Heals a Demoniac Jesus, the Christ: Omnipotence of Jesus, the Christ: Unclassified Prophecies Concerning the Kingdom of Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Heals a Demoniac Satan with the Context of