Luke 11:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.

NIV: Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: 'Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.

NASB: But He knew their thoughts and said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls.

CSB: Knowing their thoughts, he told them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls.

NLT: He knew their thoughts, so he said, 'Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

KJV: But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

NKJV: But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.

Jesus has healed a blind and mute man whose conditions were caused by demon possession (Luke 11:14; Matthew 12:22). Visiting scribes, experts in the Mosaic law and the extra-biblical Oral Law, have come down from Jerusalem to witness Jesus' ministry first-hand. After seeing this incredible miracle, they have decided that Jesus cast out the demon by the power of Satan. Jesus is in the process of explaining why this is ridiculous (Luke 11:15–16).

It's very possible that by talking about divided kingdoms Jesus is alluding to—and the people are reminded of—what happened when Solomon's son Rehoboam took the throne. Rehoboam put such a burden on the people that his rival, Jeroboam, had no trouble taking ten tribes from the nation of Israel. This divided the northern kingdom of Israel from the southern kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12:16–20). The nation was recovered for a short time under the Maccabees, but at Jesus' time the land is divided into Galilee, Samaria, and Judea under the authority of the Roman Empire.

The illustration of the divided family is exemplified by the Herodians. At Jesus' birth, Herod the Great ruled Idumea, Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Decapolis, Perea, and districts to the north. When he died, his territory was split, three of his sons taking smaller territories. Not long after, the largest region was placed under a Roman procurator.

So, in Jesus' era, Jews were constantly reminded of what a divided kingdom and family look like. Jewish autonomy was definitively "laid waste."

This is not the first time Jesus has known the thoughts of His adversaries (Luke 5:22; 6:8; 7:39–40). He knows both that the religious leaders from Jerusalem are intentionally being obtuse about His relationship to God and that more others haven't made up their minds and want to see more miracles (Luke 11:15–16).

Luke 11:14–20 is the first of several stories that describe the Pharisees' rejection of their Messiah and their coming judgment, in contrast to the disciples' acceptance and blessing (Luke 11:14–54). The scribes, or lawyers, of the Pharisees have come from Jerusalem (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22) and determine that Jesus expels demons through the power of Beelzebul—Satan. Jesus responds by explaining the true nature of demons and their relationship with humans. Matthew 12:22–30 and Mark 3:22–27 cover the same accusation, but they also go on to address blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31–32; Mark 3:28–30).

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.