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.
knowing.
Matthew 9:4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
Matthew 12:25 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:
Mark 3:23-26 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? …
Every.
2 Chronicles 10:16-19 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents…
2 Chronicles 13:16,17 And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand…
Isaiah 9:20,21 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: …
Jesus said to them
Jesus often used direct communication to address misunderstandings or to teach important truths. His teachings were authoritative, reflecting His role as the ultimate prophet and teacher (Matthew 7:28-29). This direct approach also aligns with the rabbinic tradition of engaging in dialogue to clarify and expound on the law and the prophets.
Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
This statement is a universal principle that applies to both spiritual and earthly realms. Historically, kingdoms and empires that experienced internal strife often faced downfall, such as the division of Israel into the northern and southern kingdoms, which eventually led to their respective captivities (1 Kings 12). Spiritually, this principle underscores the importance of unity within the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10).
and a house divided against a house will fall
The imagery of a house represents not only a physical dwelling but also a family or community. In the context of Jesus' ministry, this phrase warns against the dangers of internal conflict within the religious community of Israel. It also serves as a caution to the early church to maintain unity in faith and purpose (Ephesians 4:3-6). The metaphor of a house is used elsewhere in Scripture to describe the household of God, emphasizing the need for harmony and cooperation among believers (1 Timothy 3:15).
- “Jesus, knowing their thoughts, called them and said…” (Luke 11:17). Before a word is spoken, the Lord reads the heart. Psalm 139:2 says, “You perceive my thoughts from afar.”
- His omniscience confirms His deity (John 2:24-25; Revelation 2:23).
- The context: some onlookers hinted that Jesus drove out demons by Satan’s power (Luke 11:15). He exposes the error before it’s voiced, showing that hidden unbelief is fully visible to Him.
- Rather than ignoring the slander, He addresses it with calm authority (Matthew 7:29).
- Mark 2:8 shows a similar pattern: Jesus “immediately knew in His spirit” what critics were thinking, then engaged them.
- He speaks truth, not to shame but to correct, embodying Proverbs 15:1—“A gentle answer turns away wrath.”
- The principle: internal strife wrecks any realm. Isaiah 19:2 predicts Egypt’s civil war, leading to its ruin.
- If Satan were empowering Jesus to cast out demons, Satan would be sabotaging his own rule (Mark 3:24-26).
- History confirms the saying: Israel split into north and south (1 Kings 12) and both fell. Nations fracture when unity dissolves.
- The scope narrows from kingdoms to households. A family, church, or team that quarrels self-destructs (1 Corinthians 1:10; James 3:16).
- Genesis 13:7-8 shows Abram pursuing peace to preserve the “house.”
- By contrast, Psalm 133:1 celebrates, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”
Jesus, who sees every hidden thought, dismantles the charge that He works by Satan’s power. He does so with a timeless truth: division destroys. Whether kingdoms or families, unity is indispensable; discord invites collapse. The verse calls believers to reject false accusations against Christ and to guard their own homes, churches, and communities from the ruin that comes when hearts break fellowship with one another and with the Lord.
(17-23) But he, knowing their thoughts.--St. Luke seems here to bring together into one narrative two incidents which in St. Matt. (Matthew 9:32; Matthew 12:22) appear as separated. The points of resemblance, the dumbness in both cases, both followed by the whisper that Jesus cast out devils by Beelzebub, may have easily led one who collected the facts some years after they occurred to regard the two as identical. On the general tenor of the passage, see Notes on Matthew 12:24-30.