Matthew 12:22-32 - A House Divided Cannot Stand
22 At that time a demoniac was brought to Him, blind and dumb; and He cured him, so that the dumb man could speak and see. 23 And the crowds of people were all filled with amazement and said, "Can this be the Son of David?"
24 The Pharisees heard it and said, "This man only expels demons by the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of demons."
25 Knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Every kingdom in which civil war has raged suffers desolation; and every city or house in which there is internal strife will be brought low. 26 And if Satan is expelling Satan, he has begun to make war on himself: how therefore shall his kingdom last? 27 And if it is by Baal-zebul's power that I expel the demons, by whose power do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall be your judges. 28 But if it is by the power of the Spirit of God that I expel the demons, it is evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Again, how can any one enter the house of a strong man and carry off his goods, unless first of all he masters and secures the strong man: then he will ransack his house. 30 "The man who is not with me is against me, and he who is not gathering with me is scattering abroad. 31 This is why I tell you that men may find forgiveness for every other sin and impious word, but that for impious speaking against the Holy Spirit they shall find no forgiveness. 32 And whoever shall speak against the Son of Man may obtain forgiveness; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, neither in this nor in the coming age shall he obtain forgiveness."
20 And He went into a house. But again the crowd assembled, so that there was no opportunity for them even to snatch a meal. 21 Hearing of this, His relatives came to seize Him by force, for they said, "He is out of his mind."
22 The Scribes, too, who had come down from Jerusalem said, "He has Baal-zebul in him; and it is by the power of the Prince of the demons that he expels the demons."
23 So He called them to Him, and using figurative language He appealed to them, saying, "How is it possible for Satan to expel Satan? 24 For if civil war breaks out in a kingdom, nothing can make that kingdom last; 25 and if a family splits into parties, that family cannot continue. 26 So if Satan has risen in arms and has made war upon himself, stand he cannot, but meets his end.
27 Nay, no one can go into a strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. 28 In solemn truth I tell you that all their sins may be pardoned to the sons of men, and all their blasphemies, however they may have blasphemed; 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, he remains for ever unabsolved: he is guilty of a sin of the Ages." 30 This was because they said, "He is possessed by a foul spirit."
14 On once occasion He was expelling a dumb demon; and when the demon was gone out the dumb man could speak, and the people were astonished. 15 But some among them said, "It is by the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of the demons, that he expels the demons." 16 Others, to put Him to the test, asked Him for a sign in the sky.
17 And, knowing their thoughts, He said to them, "Every kingdom in which civil war rages goes to ruin: family attacks family and is overthrown. 18 And if Satan really has engaged in fierce conflict with himself, how shall his kingdom stand?--because you say that I expel demons by the power of Baal-zebul. 19 And if it is by the power of Baal-zebul that I expel the demons, by whom do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall be your judges. 20 But if it is by the power of God that I drive out the demons, it is evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 "Whenever a strong man, fully armed and equipped, is guarding his own castle, he enjoys peaceful possession of his property; 22 but as soon as another stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away that complete armour of his in which he trusted, and distributes the plunder he has collected. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever is not gathering with me is scattering abroad.