He who is not with Me is against MeThis phrase emphasizes the necessity of a clear allegiance to Jesus. In the context of
Luke 11, Jesus is addressing the spiritual conflict between the kingdom of God and the forces of evil. The statement underscores the impossibility of neutrality in spiritual matters. Historically, this reflects the Jewish understanding of loyalty and covenant, where one is either for God or against Him. Theologically, it aligns with the broader biblical narrative that calls for wholehearted devotion to God, as seen in passages like
Joshua 24:15, where Joshua challenges the Israelites to choose whom they will serve. This phrase also echoes the dualistic nature of spiritual warfare, as seen in
Ephesians 6:12, where believers are called to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
and he who does not gather with Me scatters
This part of the verse highlights the active role required in following Jesus. Gathering with Him implies working towards the same purpose and mission, which is the advancement of God's kingdom. The imagery of gathering versus scattering can be connected to the agricultural practices of the time, where gathering was associated with harvest and productivity, while scattering implied loss and destruction. This concept is further illustrated inJohn 10:12, where the hired hand abandons the sheep, causing them to scatter. Theologically, it points to the unity and purpose found in Christ, as opposed to the division and chaos that result from opposing Him. This phrase also serves as a warning against complacency and the consequences of not actively participating in the mission of Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching about the spiritual battle and the necessity of choosing sides in the kingdom of God.
2.
The CrowdJesus is addressing a crowd that includes both His followers and skeptics, emphasizing the importance of allegiance to Him.
3.
The Spiritual RealmThe context of this verse involves Jesus discussing spiritual warfare and the casting out of demons, highlighting the reality of spiritual forces.
Teaching Points
Allegiance to ChristJesus demands a clear decision. There is no neutral ground in the spiritual battle. We must choose to be with Him or against Him.
The Consequences of IndecisionIndecision or neutrality results in scattering. Inaction in the spiritual realm is equivalent to opposition.
Active Participation in God's WorkGathering with Christ involves active participation in His mission. We are called to be workers in His harvest.
Spiritual Warfare AwarenessRecognize the reality of spiritual warfare and the importance of standing firm with Christ against the forces of darkness.
Unity in the Body of ChristGathering with Christ also means fostering unity within the church, working together to advance His kingdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 11:23?
2.How does Luke 11:23 challenge our commitment to Christ's mission and kingdom?
3.What does "whoever is not with Me is against Me" imply about neutrality?
4.How can we actively gather with Christ in our daily lives?
5.What other scriptures emphasize the importance of choosing sides in spiritual matters?
6.How can we identify and avoid actions that scatter rather than gather with Christ?
7.What does Luke 11:23 mean by "He who is not with Me is against Me"?
8.How does Luke 11:23 challenge the idea of neutrality in faith?
9.What historical context influenced the message of Luke 11:23?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 11?
11.Are you with Me or against Me?
12.What does the Bible say about Israel in End Times?
13.Are you with Me or against Me?
14.Luke 10:19 - If authority over snakes and scorpions was literal, why isn't there consistent historical evidence of Christians demonstrating this without harm?What Does Luke 11:23 Mean
He who is not with Me• Jesus begins with an invitation wrapped in warning. “He who is not with Me” leaves no room for spiritual neutrality. Either we stand in personal allegiance to Christ or we do not.
• Throughout the Gospels, Jesus identifies “being with Him” as believing, abiding, and confessing Him openly (John 15:5;Luke 9:26).
•John 3:18 echoes the same dividing line: “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned.”
Is against Me• By declaring that the one who is not with Him is automatically “against” Him, Jesus exposes the myth of harmless indifference. A non-decision is, in fact, a decision against Him.
•Matthew 12:30 repeats the statement verbatim, underscoring its importance in Jesus’ teaching.
• Opposition to Christ can look overt—persecution, denial—or subtle—ignoring His claims, delaying surrender, redefining His words (John 12:48).
He who does not gather with Me• Jesus shifts from personal allegiance to active participation. To be “with” Him means joining Him in His mission of gathering people into God’s kingdom (Luke 19:10;John 10:16).
• The Great Commission makes this gathering task explicit: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
• Practical expressions today include sharing the gospel, discipling believers, serving the local church, and displaying Christ’s character in everyday relationships.
Scatters• Failing to gather doesn’t leave the flock untouched; it disperses and endangers it. Spiritual passivity allows confusion, error, and division to spread (Acts 20:29;John 10:12).
• When believers neglect witness and discipleship, people drift or are driven away from truth, mirroringEzekiel 34:5-6 where sheep “were scattered for lack of a shepherd.”
• The image underscores responsibility: every follower of Christ influences others either toward or away from Him. There is no neutral impact.
summaryLuke 11:23 confronts us with a clear choice. Allegiance to Jesus is absolute and active: we either stand with Him and join His gathering work, or we oppose Him and contribute to scattering. Neutrality is impossible; our response to Christ shapes both our own destiny and the spiritual direction of those around us.
Verse 23. -
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with mescattereth. Our Lord here is referring to the exorcists, and contrasting
their imperfect work with
his, showing how hopeless a task it was to attempt to combat the evil one and his satellites apart from him - Christ. It is particularly to be noticed that Jesus neither here nor elsewhere charges these with imposture. Pretence and ridiculous spells and incantations were doubtless constantly mixed up with their attempts to exorcise; indeed, the term used to describe them in
Acts 19:13 is one of contempt; but Jesus assumes in his argument here, what was no doubt the fact, that in these cases there was often, in the person of the physician-exorcist, earnestness and prayer mingled with the deepest pity for the unhappy sufferer, and before these there is no doubt that, in the less severe cases of possession, the evil influence or spirit yielded, and for a time at least let go his victim. "See," said the Master, "he that is not with me is against me in this dire conflict against evil;" for these would-be exorcists were utterly unable, even in those instances where they expelled the devil, to render him powerless to do mischief for the future. "
My power sent these dread beings to the abyss, there to wait. The would-be exorcists were unable to replace the hellish tenant which they expelled by another and a holier influence.
I bring back the once-tormented soul to its old relations with its God-Friend, and replace the unclean spirit by the Holy Spirit." He goes on to say -
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
He whoὉ(Ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.isὢν(ōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.notμὴ(mē)Adverb
Strong's 3361:Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.withμετ’(met’)Preposition
Strong's 3326:(a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.Meἐμοῦ(emou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.isἐστιν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.againstκατ’(kat’)Preposition
Strong's 2596:A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).Me,ἐμοῦ(emou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.he whoὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.does not gatherσυνάγων(synagōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4863:From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.withμετ’(met’)Preposition
Strong's 3326:(a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.Meἐμοῦ(emou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.scatters.σκορπίζει(skorpizei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4650:Apparently from the same as skorpios; to dissipate, i.e. put to flight, waste, be liberal.
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NT Gospels: Luke 11:23 He that is not with me (Luke Lu Lk) 
