Devine Scripture

Luke 11:19

What does Luke 11:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 11:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 11:19 means

Jesus turns their accusation back on them with a challenge: if they truly believe He casts out demons by Beelzebub, then by what power do their own "sons" (referring to Jewish exorcists who undoubtedly existed, possibly even within their own circles) perform exorcisms? The implication is that if these others are not accused of satanic power, then neither should Jesus. This makes the accusers their own judges, highlighting their hypocrisy and inconsistent judgment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And if I, by Beelzebul, send out evil spirits, by whose help do your sons send them out? so let them be your judges.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`But if I by Beelzeboul cast forth the demons--your sons, by whom do they cast forth? because of this your judges they shall be;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, your sons — by whom do they cast [them] out? For this reason they shall be your judges.

Context

This verse further develops Jesus' refutation of the Beelzebub accusation, challenging His accusers' consistency. It follows the logical argument about a divided kingdom and precedes the clear declaration about the finger of God. By questioning their own practices, Jesus exposes their biased judgment, driving home the point that their accusations against Him are unfounded and hypocritical.

v.18And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub.

v.19This passage

v.20But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 12:27

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

  • Romans 3:19

    Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:

  • Luke 11:31

    The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

  • Luke 19:22

    He saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up that which I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow;

  • Matthew 12:41

    The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

  • Luke 9:49

    And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.

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