The Strong Man Bound
Accused of casting out demons by the devil's power, Jesus answered that no one can rob a strong man's house unless he first ties up the strong man.
When the scribes who came down from Jerusalem claimed that Jesus cast out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils, he answered in parables. A kingdom or a house divided against itself cannot stand, and neither could Satan if he fought against himself. Then he added a short picture: no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his goods unless he first binds the strong man; then he can plunder the house. Jesus was not in league with Satan. He was the stronger one who had come to overpower him and set free those he held captive.
Category: Kingdom of God
Meaning: Jesus casts out demons because he has overpowered Satan; his kingdom plunders the enemy's house and sets captives free.
Audience: Pharisees & Scribes
Key Chapters
Key Passages
Except He First Bind the Strong Man
Mark 3:22-27
Answering the charge that he worked by Beelzebub, Jesus shows that his miracles prove Satan has been bound, not helped.
22nd the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
Matthew's Account
Matthew 12:29
Matthew records the same saying in the same setting, after Jesus heals a blind and dumb man possessed by a devil.
29r 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.
A Stronger Than He
Luke 11:21-22
Luke pictures an armed strong man guarding his palace until one stronger than he overcomes him and divides his spoils.
21hen a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
Explore Related
Did You Know?
It appears in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
The 'strong man' is Satan, and the one who binds him is Jesus.
Mark 3:23 is the first place in Mark's Gospel where Jesus is said to speak 'in parables'.
The same passage includes Jesus' warning about blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.