Luke 11:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.

NIV: But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.

NASB: But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, that man takes away his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder.

CSB: But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons he trusted in, and divides up his plunder.

NLT: until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.

KJV: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

NKJV: But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.

Jesus continues His short parable about how Satan can't empower him because He is working to destroy Satan (Luke 11:14–20). Jesus portrays Satan as a strong man who has many defenses—including demonic servants—to keep his kingdom and possessions—including demon-oppressed people—secured. Jesus is stronger, however. During His earthly ministry, Jesus "attacks" by casting out demons and teaching repentance, rescuing many who lived under Satan's influence. At the resurrection Jesus will definitively defeat Satan (Colossians 2:8–15), and at the second coming Jesus' victory will be complete (Revelation 19:11—20:15).

In this context, the "strong man" is Satan and "his own palace" is his control over the world (Luke 11:21). The "one stronger" is Jesus. The "armor" is demons. The "spoil" are those under Satan's control and torment.

The Jewish religious leaders—Pharisees and their lawyers—cannot imagine that they belong to Satan's spoils. Their own sons claim to cast out demons (Luke 11:19). They boldly declare that Abraham is their father (John 8:39). Jesus counters that their father is the Devil and they do his will (John 8:44). They are assets which Satan guards. Even if they are not possessed by demons, they, like the mute man, need to be freed from his palace (Luke 11:14).

In Matthew and Mark, Jesus follows this parable with the accusation that the religious leaders are committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. To look on Jesus' work that is by its nature only possible by the Holy Spirit and declare that it is from Satan is the highest blasphemy, and these religious leaders are in great danger of spending eternity with Satan in torment (Matthew 12:31–32; Mark 3:28–30).

Luke 11:21–23 contains Jesus' parable of the strong man to show that just as Jesus can cast out one demon, He can destroy Satan's kingdom. The Jewish religious leaders accused Jesus of casting out a demon under the authority of Satan. Jesus counters that not only does He control demons, He also can and will destroy Satan (Luke 11:15–20). In the next section, Jesus explains that if people do not choose Him, they by default choose Satan (Luke 11:24–26). This parable is also in Matthew 12:29–30 and Mark 3:27, right before their accounts of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which Luke skips.

Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray and explains God's intent to give "good" to those who ask. He then exorcizes a demon and refutes the claim that His power is satanic. Jesus explains that unreasonable skeptics will only see the "sign of Jonah." He then criticizes the superficial legalism of the Pharisees. In response, they plot against Him.

In what some scholars refer to as "The Travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27), Jesus prepares His disciples for His crucifixion and resurrection and the establishment of the church. The description begins with Christ teaching the disciples how to spread the news of the kingdom of God and reaffirming how they will be blessed, culminating in the Lord's Prayer (Luke 9:51—11:13). Luke 11 finishes with accounts of leaders who reject Jesus. The remainder of the travelogue gives a pattern of teaching on the kingdom of God, miracles, and explanations of salvation. Then Jesus enters Jerusalem to face the cross.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.