Answering Charges About His Power
He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. It happened, when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marveled.
But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons."
Others, testing him, sought from him a sign from heaven.
But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls.
If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
But if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore will they be your judges.
But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come to you.
When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe.
But when someone stronger comes on him, and overcomes him, he takes from him his whole armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.
He that is not with me is against me. He who doesn’t gather with me scatters.
The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house whence I came out.’
When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order.
Then he goes, and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first."
