Matthew 12:28
What does Matthew 12:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 12:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 12:28 means
Jesus declares that if he casts out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon them. This is a theological claim: his exorcisms are evidence of God's reign breaking into history. The presence of the Spirit working through Jesus to defeat evil shows that God’s authority and kingdom are present in Jesus’ ministry. The statement positions his deeds not as anomalies but as inaugurations of salvation history.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if I by the Spirit of God send out evil spirits, then is the kingdom of God come on you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`But if I, by the Spirit of God, do cast out the demons, then come already unto you did the reign of God.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if I by the Spirit of God cast out devils, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But if I by [the] Spirit ofGod cast out demons, then indeed the kingdom ofGod is come upon you.
Context
This affirmation follows the exposure of Pharisee inconsistency. It reframes the miracles as kingdom-signs rather than demonic acts. The flow moves from refutation of slander to positive proclamation about what Jesus’ works reveal: the arrival of God’s rule and the Spirit’s activity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 10:38
even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
- Mark 16:17
And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
- Hebrews 12:28
Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe:
- Daniel 2:44
And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
- Mark 11:10
Blessed is the kingdom that cometh, the kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest.
- Luke 11:20
But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.
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