New International VersionIn fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.
New Living TranslationLet me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.
English Standard VersionBut no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.
Berean Standard BibleIndeed, no one can enter a strong man’s house to steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.
Berean Literal BibleBut no one is able, having entered into the house of the strong man, to plunder his goods, unless first he binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.
King James BibleNo man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
New King James VersionNo one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.
New American Standard BibleBut no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.
NASB 1995“But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.
NASB 1977“But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.
Legacy Standard BibleBut no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.
Amplified BibleBut no one can go into a strong man’s house and steal his property unless he first overpowers and ties up the strong man, and then he will ransack and rob his house.
Christian Standard BibleBut no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.
Holman Christian Standard Bible“On the other hand, no one can enter a strong man’s house and rob his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he will rob his house.
American Standard VersionBut no one can enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
Contemporary English VersionHow can anyone break into the house of a strong man and steal his things, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can take everything.
English Revised VersionBut no one can enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"No one can go into a strong man's house and steal his property. First he must tie up the strong man. Then he can go through the strong man's house and steal his property.
Good News Translation"No one can break into a strong man's house and take away his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man; then he can plunder his house.
International Standard VersionNo one can go into a strong man's house and carry off his possessions without first tying up the strong man. Then he can ransack his house.
NET BibleBut no one is able to enter a strong man's house and steal his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can thoroughly plunder his house.
New Heart English BibleBut no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder, unless he first binds the strong man; and then he will plunder his house.
Webster's Bible TranslationNo man can enter into a strong man's house, and seize his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will plunder his house.
Weymouth New TestamentNay, no one can go into a strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNo one can enter a strong man’s house to steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.
World English BibleBut no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder unless he first binds the strong man; then he will plunder his house. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionNo one is able to spoil the vessels of the strong man, having entered into his house, if first he may not bind the strong man, and then he will spoil his house.
Berean Literal BibleBut no one is able, having entered into the house of the strong man, to plunder his goods, unless first he binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.
Young's Literal Translation 'No one is able the vessels of the strong man -- having entered into his house -- to spoil, if first he may not bind the strong man, and then his house he will spoil.
Smith's Literal TranslationNone can plunder the vessels of the strong, having entered his house, except he first bind the strong; then he will plunder his house. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNo man can enter into the house of a strong man and rob him of his goods, unless he first bind the strong man, and then shall he plunder his house.
Catholic Public Domain VersionNo one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house.
New American BibleBut no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.
New Revised Standard VersionBut no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNo man can enter into a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man; and then he plunders his house.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“A man cannot enter the house of a mighty one and rob his valuables, unless he first binds the mighty one, and then he shall plunder his house.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentNo one can enter the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, unless he first bind the strong man; and then he will plunder his house.
Godbey New TestamentNo one is able, having entered into the house of a strong man, to spoil his goods, unless he may first bind the strong man, and then he will spoil his house.
Haweis New Testament
No man entering into his house, can plunder a strong man’s goods, unless he first bind the strong man, then indeed he spoileth his house.
Mace New Testament
no one can enter into a strong man's house, and plunder his goods, unless the man be first secur'd.
Weymouth New Testament
Nay, no one can go into a strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.
Worrell New Testament
But no one is able, after having entered into the house of the strong man, to plunder his goods, except he first bind the strong man; and then will he plunder his house.
Worsley New Testament
No one can enter into the house of a strongman, and plunder his goods; unless he first bind the strongman, and then he may pillage his house.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context A House Divided… 26And if Satan is divided and rises against himself, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27Indeed,no onecanentera strong man’shouseto stealhispossessionsunlesshe first ties upthestrong man.Thenhe can plunderhishouse.28Truly I tell you, the sons of men will be forgiven all sins and blasphemies, as many as they utter.…
Cross References Matthew 12:29Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
Luke 11:21-22When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure. / But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, and then he divides up his plunder.
Isaiah 49:24-25Can the plunder be snatched from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be delivered? / Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the plunder of the tyrant will be retrieved; I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.
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 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 20:2-3He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. / And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.
John 12:31Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out.
Ephesians 4:8This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Isaiah 53:12Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
Psalm 68:18You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.
1 Peter 3:22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.
Romans 16:20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Treasury of Scripture No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon thatis in the sea. Isaiah 49:24-26 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? … Jump to Previous AbleBindBindsCarryCordsEnterExceptFactFirstGoodsHouseIndeedPlunderPossessionsPropertyPuttingRobRoundSeizeSpoilStrongTiesUnlessVesselsJump to Next AbleBindBindsCarryCordsEnterExceptFactFirstGoodsHouseIndeedPlunderPossessionsPropertyPuttingRobRoundSeizeSpoilStrongTiesUnlessVesselsMark 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.Indeed, no one can enter a strong man’s houseThis phrase sets the stage for a metaphorical teaching. The "strong man" represents a figure of authority or power, often interpreted as Satan in the context of Jesus' ministry. The "house" symbolizes the domain or realm under the strong man's control. In the cultural context of the time, a house was a place of security and authority, and entering it without permission was a significant violation. This imagery would resonate with Jesus' audience, who understood the importance of household protection. to steal his possessions
The possessions refer to what the strong man holds dear or has control over. In the spiritual context, this can be seen as the souls or lives under Satan's influence. The act of stealing implies a transfer of ownership or liberation from the current possessor. This aligns with Jesus' mission to free those oppressed by evil and bring them into the kingdom of God. The concept of spiritual warfare is evident here, as Jesus challenges the authority of evil. unless he first ties up the strong man
Tying up the strong man signifies the necessity of overcoming or subduing the power of evil before liberation can occur. This reflects Jesus' authority over demonic forces, as demonstrated in His exorcisms and miracles. The act of binding is a common biblical motif for rendering an enemy powerless, seen in other scriptures such asRevelation 20:2, where Satan is bound for a thousand years. This phrase emphasizes the prerequisite of divine power to conquer evil. Then he can plunder his house
Plundering the house indicates the act of reclaiming or rescuing what was once under the strong man's control. In the context of Jesus' ministry, this represents the redemption and salvation of individuals from the grip of sin and Satan. The imagery of plundering suggests a victorious and decisive action, highlighting Jesus' role as the conqueror of evil. This connects to prophecies of the Messiah as a deliverer, such as inIsaiah 61:1, where the anointed one proclaims freedom for the captives. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this parable, Jesus uses this illustration to explain His authority over demonic forces and to refute accusations from the Pharisees that He is casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul. 2. Strong ManRepresents Satan or demonic forces. The "strong man" is a metaphor for the power and influence of evil in the world. 3. HouseSymbolizes the domain or realm of influence that the strong man (Satan) has over individuals or the world. 4. PossessionsRepresents the people or things under the control of the strong man, which Jesus aims to liberate. 5. Tying UpThe act of binding the strong man, symbolizing Jesus' authority and power to overcome and restrain evil. Teaching Points Understanding Spiritual AuthorityJesus has ultimate authority over all spiritual forces. Believers can trust in His power to overcome evil in their lives. The Reality of Spiritual WarfareRecognize that spiritual warfare is real, and believers are called to be vigilant and rely on Jesus' strength to overcome. Liberation Through ChristJesus' mission includes liberating those held captive by sin and evil. Believers are called to participate in this mission by sharing the Gospel. Binding the Strong Man in Our LivesIdentify areas where the "strong man" may have influence and seek Jesus' power to bind and overcome these areas. Living in VictoryEmbrace the victory that Jesus has already won over evil, and live confidently in the freedom He provides. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Mark 3:27?
2.How does Mark 3:27 illustrate the necessity of spiritual strength in our lives?
3.What does "bind the strong man" symbolize in a Christian's spiritual battles?
4.How can Ephesians 6:10-18 help us understand Mark 3:27's message?
5.In what ways can we "plunder" Satan's influence in our daily lives?
6.How does Mark 3:27 encourage us to rely on God's power for victory?
7.What does Mark 3:27 imply about the power dynamics between good and evil?
8.How does Mark 3:27 relate to the concept of spiritual warfare?
9.What historical context influenced the message of Mark 3:27?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 3?
11.What does "bind the strongman" mean?
12.Is Judas Iscariot in heaven or not?
13.What does "binding and loosing" mean?
14.How does Mark 10:6 reconcile God creating humans 'from the beginning' with scientific evidence for human evolution?What Does Mark 3:27 Mean Indeed- Jesus introduces the illustration with firm certainty, signaling, “This is an absolute truth” (cf.John 8:31-32;2 Corinthians 1:20). - His confidence reminds us that every claim He makes is reliable, just as every word of Scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). - By opening with “Indeed,” the Lord prepares His listeners for a spiritual principle that applies universally—no exceptions, no loopholes.
No one can enter a strong man’s house- The “strong man” pictures Satan, who has occupied and guarded fallen humanity (Luke 11:21). - His “house” represents the realm he dominates: the world system and every soul still in darkness (Ephesians 2:1-2;1 John 5:19). - The phrase “no one can enter” underscores human inability; apart from divine intervention, we are powerless against such a foe (Psalm 18:17;1 Peter 5:8).
To steal his possessions- Satan’s “possessions” are people held captive by sin (John 8:34;Acts 26:18). - Christ frames redemption as a rescue mission—a daring liberation from bondage (Colossians 1:13). - The enemy aims to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10), but Jesus intends to reclaim what rightfully belongs to God.
Unless he first ties up the strong man- Before freeing captives, the Deliverer must neutralize the captor. Jesus did exactly that: • At His temptation, He resisted every assault (Matthew 4:1-11). • During His ministry, He commanded unclean spirits and they obeyed (Mark 1:27). • At the cross, He “disarmed the rulers and authorities, triumphing over them” (Colossians 2:15) and destroyed “him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). - The binding is decisive; Satan’s ultimate defeat is certain though his final sentencing awaits (Revelation 20:10).
Then he can plunder his house- Having bound the strong man, Jesus now claims His spoils: redeemed people from every nation (Revelation 5:9-10). - Each deliverance—every conversion, every healing, every release from demonic oppression—shows the house being plundered (Luke 10:17-19;Ephesians 4:8). - Believers share in this victory, equipped with the armor of God to stand firm and extend Christ’s triumph (Ephesians 6:10-13;Romans 16:20).
summaryMark 3:27 pictures Jesus as the conquering hero who invades Satan’s domain, binds him, and frees his captives. The verse assures us that Christ’s power overwhelms the enemy, His mission is to rescue people from darkness, and His victory is complete and irrevocable. Every believer now lives in the good of that triumph and joins the ongoing plunder, confident that the strong man has been tied up by the stronger One.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Indeed,ἀλλ’(all’)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.no oneοὐδεὶς(oudeis)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3762:No one, none, nothing.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.enterεἰσελθὼν(eiselthōn)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1525:To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.a strong man’sἰσχυροῦ(ischyrou)Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2478:Strong (originally and generally of physical strength); mighty, powerful, vehement, sure. From ischus; forcible.houseοἰκίαν(oikian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3614:From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family.to stealδιαρπάσαι(diarpasai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1283:To plunder, rob thoroughly. From dia and harpazo; to seize asunder, i.e. Plunder.hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
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.possessionsσκεύη(skeuē)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4632:A vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband).unlessἐὰν(ean)Conjunction
Strong's 1437:If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.he first ties upδήσῃ(dēsē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1210:To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative 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.strong man.ἰσχυρὸν(ischyron)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2478:Strong (originally and generally of physical strength); mighty, powerful, vehement, sure. From ischus; forcible.Thenτότε(tote)Adverb
Strong's 5119:Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.he can plunderδιαρπάσει(diarpasei)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1283:To plunder, rob thoroughly. From dia and harpazo; to seize asunder, i.e. Plunder.hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
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.house.οἰκίαν(oikian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3614:From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family.
Links Mark 3:27 NIVMark 3:27 NLTMark 3:27 ESVMark 3:27 NASBMark 3:27 KJV
Mark 3:27 BibleApps.comMark 3:27 Biblia ParalelaMark 3:27 Chinese BibleMark 3:27 French BibleMark 3:27 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: Mark 3:27 But no one can enter into (Mar Mk Mr) |
