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Book of Luke - Chapter 11 - Verse 15

11:15
But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

Meaning

In this verse, some of the people witnessing Jesus casting out demons accuse Him of doing so through the power of Beelzebub, who is often seen as the chief of the demons or Satan himself. This accusation is a reflection of the skepticism and disbelief that some had towards Jesus and his miraculous abilities. The people making this accusation were essentially suggesting that Jesus was in league with the devil and using demonic powers to perform his miracles. This accusation was not only a rejection of Jesus' authority and power but also an attempt to discredit Him in the eyes of the people. Despite this opposition, Jesus continued to demonstrate his authority over evil spirits and showed that His power was from God, not from Satan. This verse serves as a reminder of the doubts and challenges Jesus faced during His ministry, but also highlights His unwavering commitment to carrying out God's work on earth.

Theological Overview

Some of the people during Jesus’ time accused him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. This accusation reveals a theological interpretation of the people at that time who could not accept the miraculous works that Jesus was doing. Beelzebub was a Philistine god worshipped in the city of Ekron, and later became associated with Satan in Jewish beliefs. The people who made this accusation were suggesting that Jesus' power came not from God, but from Satan himself. This interpretation reflects a serious rejection of Jesus' authority and a misunderstanding of the source of his power. The term Beelzebub itself means “Lord of the flies,” which was likely used to show contempt and disrespect for the supposed source of Jesus' miracles. Through word studies, we can see the depth of misunderstanding and hostility towards Jesus and his ministry during this time.

American Standard Version

But some of them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casteth he out demons.
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