Devine Scripture

Matthew 12:27

What does Matthew 12:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 12:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 12:27 means

Jesus asks rhetorically: if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons (their exorcists) cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. He challenges their inconsistency: Jewish exorcists perform similar works and attribute them to God. If they accept those exorcists, their own standards condemn them. The verse turns their accusation inward, arguing that their criteria will judge them. It’s a warning that their selective judgment is inconsistent and self-condemning.

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 children cast them out? therefore they shall 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 Beelzebub send evil spirits out of men, by whom do your sons send them out? So let them be your judges.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And if I, by Beelzeboul, do cast out the demons, your sons--by whom do they cast out? because of this they--they shall be your judges.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

After refuting the idea of Satanic cooperation, Jesus points out the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. The argument moves from logic to practical inconsistency. This sets up a positive interpretation in verse 28 about the source of Jesus’ power—the Spirit of God—and the inbreaking of God’s kingdom.

v.26and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?

v.27This passage

v.28But if I by the Spirit 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 12:41

    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 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;

  • 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.

  • 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:

  • Acts 19:13

    But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them that had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

  • Luke 11:19

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

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