Devine Scripture

Matthew 12:29

What does Matthew 12:29 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 12:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 12:29 means

Jesus uses the image of entering a strong man’s house, binding the strong man, and spoiling his goods to explain how he defeats Satan. The strong man represents demonic power; Jesus must first bind him to liberate those held captive. This metaphor illustrates that Jesus’ ministry is a decisive assault on evil’s power, not cooperation with it. It explains demonic exorcism as an act of overruling the enemy to rescue people and reclaim what was stolen by Satan.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Or how may one go into a strong man's house and take his goods, if he does not first put cords round the strong man? and then he may take his goods.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Or how is one able to go into the house of the strong man, and to plunder his goods, if first he may not bind the strong man? and then his house he will plunder.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Or how can any one enter into the house of the strong, and rifle his goods, unless he first bind the strong? and then he will rifle his house.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Or how can any one enter into the house of the strong [man] and plunder his goods, unless first he bind the strong [man]? and then he will plunder his house.

Context

This image follows the claim that the Spirit empowers Jesus. It gives a vivid picture of the mechanics of spiritual victory and directly counters the Pharisees’ charge. The passage completes Jesus’ defense by showing the logical and moral coherence of his ministry as an attack on the strong man’s house.

v.28But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.

v.29This passage

v.30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

Cross references

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

  • 1 John 4:4

    Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.

  • Isaiah 49:24

    Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives be delivered?

  • Revelation 20:1

    And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.

  • Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

  • 1 John 3:8

    he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

  • Revelation 20:7

    And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

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