Luke 11,14-35
Jesus and Beelzebul
Luke 11:14–23
14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled.
15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,”
16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven.
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.
18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;
22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.
23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
Return of an Unclean Spirit
Luke 11:24–26
24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says,
‘I will return to my house from which I came.’
25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order.
26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”
True Blessedness
Luke 11:27–28
27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him,
“Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!”
28 But he said,
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
The Sign of Jonah
Luke 11:29–32
29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say,
“This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.
30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”
The Light in You
Luke 11:33–35
33 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.
35 Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.”
Introduction
Hello everyone, I am Kiki.
The Chinese name of the second phase of our program is “读经大讲堂”.
The English name is “Bible Study.”
We adopt a relaxed and enjoyable learning style to lead you into a new learning experience.
Each time, I will share a personal summary and analysis from a learner’s perspective. Then Sister Ingrid will help guide us into deeper learning and discussion.
I hope this interactive process brings new insights to everyone.
Below is my discussion with Sister Ingrid on today’s passage.
Today is the 31st lecture on the Gospel of Luke.
Everyone is welcome to leave comments and join the discussion!
2. My Summary of the 31st Study of Luke
Well everyone, here is my personal study summary for today.
Jesus heals a mute man by driving out a demon. Some people accuse him of using Satan’s power. Jesus explains that it makes no sense for Satan to fight against himself—such a kingdom would collapse. Instead, Jesus declares that he casts out demons by the power of God, showing that the kingdom of God has arrived.
He then tells a short parable: a strong man guards his house, but a stronger man can defeat him and take everything. Jesus is the stronger one who overcomes Satan.
Because this is a spiritual battle, Jesus makes it clear that there is a choice to be made:
“Whoever is not with me is against me.”
Jesus also warns that simply being freed from evil is not enough. If a person’s life remains empty, evil can return in an even worse form. True blessing, he teaches, comes from hearing and obeying God’s word—not just from knowing about Jesus.
When people demand signs, Jesus says the only sign they will receive is the sign of Jonah, pointing to his death and resurrection.
Finally, Jesus teaches that the eye is like a lamp. A healthy eye fills a person with light, but an unhealthy eye fills them with darkness. Jesus warns us to examine ourselves carefully, so that what we think is light is not actually darkness.
Now, Sister Ingrid will go deeper into this teaching.
3. Sister Ingrid’s Comment on My Study Summary
Hello sister,
We need to consider the healing of the mute, demon-possessed man together with the same story in the Gospel of Matthew, which provides additional details.
The people marveled because Jewish tradition taught that the Messiah would heal a leper, cast out a mute demon (which was especially difficult, because Jesus could not speak to the demon), and raise the dead.
When the people saw Jesus performing a Messianic sign, they asked themselves whether this man could be the Son of David, meaning the Messiah.
The religious leaders quickly offered another explanation: they claimed that Jesus cast out demons by Satan’s power. But we know that Jesus cast out demons by the Holy Spirit, which is why Matthew records that sin against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
Jesus calmly explains why it is illogical to say that Satan casts out his own demons. He also explains the danger of demons returning if a person does not remain in salvation.
Jesus then rebukes the unbelief of his generation, saying that the Queen of the South and the people of Nineveh will stand as witnesses against them on Judgment Day—because these people responded to far less revelation.
For further explanation, I consulted King James Commentaries.
The light refers to the Word of God that Jesus brought into the house of Israel. In Jesus, everything is light.
However, we can darken the light by hiding it—through excessive activity, hidden sin, or disobedience. Jesus explains why God’s Word does not always result in faith or visible fruit.
It is possible for there to be light on the outside while darkness remains inside. Therefore, we must examine our eyes and our hearts to determine whether we belong to the kingdom of light or the kingdom of darkness.
4. Question List (Based on Luke – Lesson 31)
These questions are based on today’s Bible study and are meant to help new believers.
1. Why were some people suspicious of Jesus’ miracles?
They needed a reason to deny that Jesus was the Messiah, even though it was becoming increasingly obvious.
2. How does Jesus’ logic about a divided kingdom prove he was not using Satan’s power?
If Satan fought against himself, he would destroy his own kingdom.
3. Who are the “strong man” and the “stronger man”?
The strong man represents Satan or the demon guarding the person, and the stronger man is Jesus, who overcomes the devil.
4. Why does Jesus say there is no middle ground?
A person belongs either to the kingdom of God or to the kingdom of darkness. A neutral position does not exist.
5. What does the “empty, swept house” represent?
A person who is set free must remain in their salvation. Otherwise, evil can return even stronger.
6. Why did Jesus correct the woman who praised his mother?
Because the greatest blessing is hearing, understanding, and obeying God’s Word.
7. Why did Jesus reject demands for signs?
True believers do not follow Jesus because of signs, but because they seek salvation and trust God.
8. Why are the Queen of Sheba and the people of Nineveh good examples?
The Queen of Sheba traveled far to seek God’s wisdom, and the people of Nineveh repented immediately at Jonah’s preaching.
9. How can the “eye” become unhealthy?
By actions, hidden sin, or distractions that block the Word of God.
10. What does it mean that light can actually be darkness?
Some people appear faithful outwardly but do not truly surrender to Jesus, causing spiritual harm.
