New International VersionSo Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?
New Living TranslationJesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked.
English Standard VersionAnd he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?
Berean Standard BibleSo Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?
Berean Literal BibleAnd having called them to Him, He began speaking to them in parables: "How is Satan able to cast out Satan?
King James BibleAnd he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
New King James VersionSo He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
New American Standard BibleAnd so He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
NASB 1995And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?
NASB 1977And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?
Legacy Standard BibleAnd He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?
Amplified BibleSo He called them to Himself and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan?
Christian Standard BibleSo he summoned them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?
Holman Christian Standard BibleSo He summoned them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?
American Standard VersionAnd he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
Contemporary English VersionJesus told the people to gather around him. Then he spoke to them in riddles and said: How can Satan force himself out?
English Revised VersionAnd he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJesus called them together and used this illustration: "How can Satan force out Satan?
Good News TranslationSo Jesus called them to him and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan?
International Standard VersionSo Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables. "How can Satan drive out Satan?
NET BibleSo he called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan?
New Heart English BibleAnd so he summoned them, and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan?
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he called them to him, and said to them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
Weymouth New TestamentSo He called them to Him, and using figurative language He appealed to them, saying, "How is it possible for Satan to expel Satan? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?
World English BibleHe summoned them and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd having called them near, He said to them in allegories, “How is Satan able to cast out Satan?
Berean Literal BibleAnd having called them to Him, He began speaking to them in parables: "How is Satan able to cast out Satan?
Young's Literal Translation And, having called them near, in similes he said to them, 'How is the Adversary able to cast out the Adversary?
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd having called them, in parables spake he to them, How can Satan cast out Satan. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd after he had called them together, he said to them in parables: How can Satan cast out Satan?
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
New American BibleSummoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan?
New Revised Standard VersionAnd he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Jesus called them, and said to them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd Yeshua called them, and he said to them in parables, “How is Satan able to cast out Satan?” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables: How can Satan cast out Satan?
Godbey New TestamentAnd calling them to Him, He continued to speak to them in parables, How is Satan able to cast out Satan?
Haweis New Testament
So calling them to him, he spake to them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
Mace New Testament
but calling them to him, he said by way of similitude, how can satan dispossess satan?
Weymouth New Testament
So He called them to Him, and using figurative language He appealed to them, saying, "How is it possible for Satan to expel Satan?
Worrell New Testament
And, having called them toHim, He said to them in parables,"How can Satan cast out Satan?
Worsley New Testament
So He called them toHim, and said unto them in parables,How can Satan cast out Satan?
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context A House Divided… 22And the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons He drives out demons.” 23SoJesus called them togetherand began to speakto theminparables:“HowcanSatandrive outSatan?24If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand.…
Cross References Matthew 12:25-26Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. / If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
Luke 11:17-18Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall. / If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul.
John 8:44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
1 John 3:8The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.
Revelation 12:7-9Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. / But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. / And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Isaiah 14:12-15How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ...
Ezekiel 28:12-17“Son of man, take up a lament for the king of Tyre and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. / You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation. / You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for I had ordained you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. ...
Genesis 3:1-5Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ...
2 Corinthians 11:14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
Ephesians 6:11-12Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Colossians 2:15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Hebrews 2:14Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,
1 Peter 5:8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Acts 26:18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
Treasury of Scripture And he called them to him, and said to them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? in parables. Psalm 49:4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: How. Matthew 12:25-30 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: … Luke 11:17-23 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a housedivided against a house falleth… Jump to Previous AbleAdversaryAppealedCastDriveExpelFigurativeFormJesusLanguageParablesPossibleSatanSimilesSpeakingStorySummonedTurningUsingJump to Next AbleAdversaryAppealedCastDriveExpelFigurativeFormJesusLanguageParablesPossibleSatanSimilesSpeakingStorySummonedTurningUsingMark 3 1.Jesus heals the withered hand,10.and many other infirmities;11.rebukes the unclean spirit;13.chooses his twelve apostles;22.convinces the blasphemy of casting out demons by Beelzebub;31.and shows who are his brother, sister, and mother.So Jesus called them togetherIn this context, Jesus is addressing the scribes and Pharisees who accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, another name for Satan. This gathering indicates a formal response to their accusations, emphasizing the importance of His teaching. Jesus often used gatherings to teach and correct misunderstandings, as seen in other instances like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). and began to speak to them in parables:
Parables are a hallmark of Jesus' teaching method, using simple stories to convey profound spiritual truths. They were accessible to those open to understanding but concealed from those who were hard-hearted. This method fulfilled the prophecy inPsalm 78:2, "I will open my mouth in a parable." Parables also served to challenge the listeners to think deeply and reflect on their spiritual condition. “How can Satan drive out Satan?
This rhetorical question highlights the absurdity of the accusation that Jesus was casting out demons by Satan's power. It underscores the logical inconsistency in the scribes' claim, as a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (Mark 3:24). This statement also points to the spiritual warfare theme present throughout the Gospels, where Jesus' authority over demons demonstrates His divine power and the coming of God's kingdom. The question invites the audience to consider the true source of Jesus' power, aligning with His mission to destroy the works of the devil (1John 3:8). Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the accusations made against Him by the scribes. He uses parables to teach and reveal truth. 2. ScribesReligious leaders who accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul (another name for Satan). They are skeptical of Jesus' authority and power. 3. SatanThe adversary, representing evil and opposition to God's kingdom. Jesus uses Satan as a key figure in His parable to illustrate the absurdity of the scribes' accusations. 4. ParablesA teaching method used by Jesus to convey deep spiritual truths through simple accounts or analogies. In this context, Jesus uses a parable to challenge the logic of the scribes' claims. 5. CrowdThe larger group of people present during this event, witnessing the interaction between Jesus and the scribes, and listening to Jesus' teachings. Teaching Points Understanding ParablesJesus uses parables to reveal truth to those willing to listen and to conceal it from those who are hard-hearted. We should approach parables with a heart open to understanding and applying their lessons. Discernment in Spiritual MattersThe scribes' failure to recognize Jesus' divine authority highlights the need for spiritual discernment. Believers should seek wisdom and understanding through prayer and study of the Scriptures. Unity in the Kingdom of GodJesus' teaching emphasizes the importance of unity in God's kingdom. Believers are called to work together, not against each other, to advance God's purposes. Recognizing the EnemyJesus' parable reminds us that Satan is the true enemy. Believers should be vigilant in recognizing and resisting his schemes, standing firm in faith. The Power of Jesus Over EvilJesus' authority over demons demonstrates His power over all evil. Believers can trust in Jesus' victory and rely on His strength in spiritual battles. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Mark 3:23?
2.How does Mark 3:23 illustrate the importance of unity in spiritual warfare?
3.What does Jesus' parable in Mark 3:23 teach about divided kingdoms?
4.How can we apply the principle of unity from Mark 3:23 today?
5.How does Mark 3:23 connect with Ephesians 6:12 on spiritual battles?
6.What personal divisions might hinder your effectiveness in God's kingdom work?
7.How does Mark 3:23 challenge the concept of unity within a divided kingdom or house?
8.What historical context influenced Jesus' teaching in Mark 3:23?
9.How does Mark 3:23 relate to the theme of spiritual warfare?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 3?
11.What does 'bind the strongman' mean?
12.What were the key events in Jesus' trials?
13.Why does Jesus misquote the Old Testament in some passages?
14.Can a divided house stand?What Does Mark 3:23 Mean So Jesus called them togetherMark 3:23 begins, “So Jesus called them together…”. • The scribes had just charged Him with casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul (Mark 3:22). By calling them together, Jesus confronts the accusation openly rather than ignoring it. • This gathering underscores Christ’s authority—He summons both opponents and bystanders to hear truth, echoing scenes likeJohn 7:37 where He calls out to the crowd. • Similar moments of direct confrontation appear inMatthew 15:10 andLuke 20:3-4, showing Jesus consistently invites listeners to examine their beliefs in light of His words.
and began to speak to them in parablesJesus “began to speak to them in parables” (Mark 3:23). • Parables use familiar imagery to reveal spiritual realities, engaging hearts while exposing motives (Mark 4:11-12;Luke 8:10). • Here the short parable serves two purposes: – It dismantles the logic of the scribes’ claim. – It invites honest seekers to recognize the kingdom’s power at work. • By teaching this way, Jesus fulfills the pattern foretold inPsalm 78:2 and practiced throughout His ministry (Mark 4:33-34).
“How can Satan drive out Satan?”The heart of the verse is Jesus’ question: “How can Satan drive out Satan?”. • The argument is simple and airtight: – A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (expanded inMark 3:24-26; echoed inMatthew 12:25-26;Luke 11:17-18). – Therefore, if demons are truly being expelled, the source cannot be demonic. • Jesus exposes the scribes’ flawed reasoning, much like He dismantles the Sadducees’ denial of resurrection inMark 12:24-27. • His works manifest the Spirit’s power (Matthew 12:28) and display the stronger One who binds the strong man (Mark 3:27). • The question also reassures believers: Christ’s victory over evil is decisive, and Satan cannot undermine his own dominion to that extent (Colossians 2:15;1 John 3:8).
summaryMark 3:23 shows Jesus taking charge of a hostile moment, using a concise parable to expose the absurdity of attributing His liberating miracles to Satan. By calling His critics together, teaching in parables, and asking the penetrating question, “How can Satan drive out Satan?”, Jesus proves that His authority comes from God and that the kingdom of darkness cannot stand against Him. (23) Said unto them in parables.--The word is used in its wider sense, as including any form of argument from analogy more or less figurative. As in most reports of discourses as distinct from facts, St. Mark is somewhat briefer than St. Matthew. Verses 23-27. - How can Satan cast out Satan? Observe here that our Lord distinctly affirms the personality of Satan, and a real kingdom of evil. But then he goes on to show that if this their allegation were true, namely, that he cast out devils by the prince or the devils, then it would follow that Satan's kingdom would be divided against itself. As a house divided against itself cannot stand, so neither could the kingdom of Satan exist in the world if one evil spirit was opposed to another for the purpose of dispossessing, the one the other, from the minds and bodies of men. Our Lord thus employs another argument to show that he casts out evil spirits, not by Beelzebub, but by the power of God. It is as though he said, "As he who invades the house of a strong man cannot succeed until he first binds the strong man; in like manner I, Christ Jesus, who spoil the kingdom of Satan, whilst I lead sinners who had been under his power to repentance and salvation, must first bind Satan himself, otherwise he would never suffer me to take his captives from him. Therefore he is my enemy, and not in league with me, not my ally in the casting out of evil spirits, as you falsely represent me to be. It behoves you, then, to understand that it is with the Spirit of God that I cast out devils, and that therefore the kingdom of God is come upon you."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek SoΚαὶ(Kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.[Jesus] called them togetherπροσκαλεσάμενος(proskalesamenos)Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4341:To call to myself, summon. Middle voice from pros and kaleo; to call toward oneself, i.e. Summon, invite.[and] began to speakἔλεγεν(elegen)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.to themαὐτοῖς(autois)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.parables:παραβολαῖς(parabolais)Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3850:From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.“HowΠῶς(Pōs)Adverb
Strong's 4459:Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!canδύναται(dynatai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410:(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.SatanΣατανᾶς(Satanas)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4567:An adversary, Satan. Of Chaldee origin corresponding to ma'bad; the accuser, i.e. The devil.drive outἐκβάλλειν(ekballein)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1544:To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.Satan?Σατανᾶν(Satanan)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4567:An adversary, Satan. Of Chaldee origin corresponding to ma'bad; the accuser, i.e. The devil.
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NT Gospels: Mark 3:23 He summoned them and said to them (Mar Mk Mr) |
