Luke 11:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order.

NIV: When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.

NASB: And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order.

CSB: Returning, it finds the house swept and put in order.

NLT: So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order.

KJV: And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

NKJV: And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order.

This parable (Luke 11:24) explains the foolishness of trying to be neutral in the spiritual battle raging around us. There are two sides: Satan and Jesus. We can choose Christ or choose Satan, but a vote for neither is ultimately a vote for Satan.

Someone may have been freed from the most horrific evil, but that doesn't mean he will stay safe. A man may be rescued from a demon and think he can live an ordered, peaceful life. But humans, by default, are under Satan's authority; we are Satan's "spoil" (Luke 11:22). Failing to choose means choosing Satan. Rescue from danger doesn't guarantee continued safety.

The "house" is the man who once was host for a demon. That he is "swept and put in order" means that the demonic influence is gone from his life. His life is as calm and peaceful as any human can experience. He may even do good for his community, love his family, and show generous responsibility in all things.

But human standards won't keep him safe. Spiritually, he is empty and vulnerable. If he does not ask the Holy Spirit to indwell him, his old demons will return. In this new respectable human state, the damage will be even greater than before. The downfall of an honorable man is more dramatic than the continued slide of a man who always looked lost.

Luke 11:24–26 continues the extended section (Luke 11:14–54) about the conflict between the Jewish religious leaders and Jesus. Jesus has decisively shown that He and Satan are on two vastly different sides (Luke 11:14–23). Here, He reveals that there is no middle ground between them. Either people choose Jesus or they stay under Satan's authority. Next, Jesus explains that not even His closest family members are exempt from this dichotomy (Luke 11:27–28). Matthew 12:43–45 also records this parable.

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.