Mat 12:22-32, Luk 11:14-23, 12:10 | ISV | STEP | Jesus Is Accused of Working with Beelzebul Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to talk was brought to him. Jesus healed him so that the man could speak and see.

‏ Matthew 12:22-32

22 Jesus Is Accused of Working with Beelzebul Mark 3:20-30; Luke 11:14-23; 12:10Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to talk was brought to him. Jesus ^{▼▼Lit. He} healed him so that the man ^{▼▼Lit. the man who was unable to talk} could speak and see.Matt 9:32; Mark 3:11; Luke 11:14 23 All the crowds were amazed and kept saying, “This man isn't the Son of David, is he?”

24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”Matt 9:34; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15

25 He knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.Matt 9:4; John 2:25; Rev 2:23 26 So if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How, then, can his kingdom stand? 27 If I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own followers ^{▼▼Lit. sons} drive them out? That is why they will be your judges! 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.Dan 2:44; 7:14; Luke 1:33; 11:20; 17:20-21 29 How can someone go into a strong man's house and carry off his possessions without first tying up the strong man? Then he can ransack his house.Isa 49:24; Luke 11:21-23

30 “The person who isn't with me is against me, and the person who doesn't gather with me scatters. 31 So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven, ^{▼▼Lit. will be forgiven to people} but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.Mark 3:28; Luke 12:10; Acts 7:51; Heb 6:4; 1John 5:16 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come.”Matt 11:19; 13:55; John 7:12, 52; 1Tim 1:13

A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit Luke 6:43-45

‏ Luke 11:14-23

14 Jesus Is Accused of Working with Beelzebul Matthew 12:22-30; Mark 3:20-27Jesus ^{▼▼Lit. He} was driving a demon out of a man who was ^{▼▼Lit. driving out a demon that was} unable to talk. When the demon had gone out, the man ^{▼▼Lit. the man who was unable to talk} began to speak, and the crowds were amazed.Matt 9:32; 12:22 15 But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”Matt 9:34; 12:24 16 Others, wanting to test Jesus, ^{▼▼Lit. him} kept asking him for a sign from heaven.Matt 12:38; 16:1

17 Since he knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is devastated, and a divided household collapses. ^{▼▼Lit. and house falls on house}Matt 12:25; Mark 3:24; John 2:25 18 Now if Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? For you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own followers ^{▼▼Lit. sons} drive them out? That is why they will be your judges! 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger ^{▼▼I.e. power} of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.Exod 8:19

21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe.Matt 12:29; Mark 3:27 22 But when a stronger man than he attacks him and defeats him, he'll take away his armor in which he trusted and divide his plunder.Isa 53:12; Col 2:15 23 The person who isn't with me is against me, and the person who doesn't gather with me scatters.”Matt 12:30

The Return of the Unclean Spirit Matthew 12:43-45

‏ Luke 12:10

10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the person who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.Matt 12:31-32; Mark 3:28; 1John 5:16