Mark 3:24
What does Mark 3:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 3:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 3:24 means
Jesus uses the analogy of a kingdom divided against itself to expose the flaw in the scribes' reasoning. Just as no earthly kingdom can long endure if it is fractured by internal conflict, so too, Satan's kingdom could not stand if it were working against itself. This illustrates that if Jesus was casting out demons by Satan's power, Satan's own dominion would ultimately crumble due to self-sabotage, which is illogical for a kingdom of evil.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If there is division in a kingdom, that kingdom will come to destruction;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if a kingdom against itself be divided, that kingdom cannot be made to stand;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And if a kingdom has become divided against itself, that kingdom cannot subsist.
Context
Building on the rhetorical question from the previous verse, Jesus offers a clear analogy. This verse provides the first illustration of how internal division leads to collapse, directly refuting the scribes' claim. This explanation then immediately moves to a more personal analogy of a house, further reinforcing the impossibility of Satan fighting against himself.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 37:22
and I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all;
- 1 Kings 12:16
And when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
- Ephesians 4:3
giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
- Isaiah 19:2
And I will stir up the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbor; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
- Judges 9:23
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
- 1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
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