Matthew 12:27 - If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
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What does "Matthew 12:27" mean?
This verse, Matthew 12:27, is part of a larger argument Jesus is having with the Pharisees. To understand it, let's break it down:
Context: The Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, a name for Satan or a powerful demon. They were essentially claiming Jesus was in league with the devil.
"If I by Beelzebul cast out demons...": Jesus sets up a hypothetical. He's saying, "Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that what you're saying is true and I am casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul..."
"...by whom do your children cast them out?": This is the key point. Jesus knows that some Jews (likely disciples of the Pharisees or other Jewish exorcists) also performed exorcisms. He's asking, "If I'm using demonic power, what power are your followers using when they cast out demons? Do you accuse them of being in league with the devil too?" It's a rhetorical question designed to expose the hypocrisy of the Pharisees' accusation. He's challenging their logic and forcing them to apply the same standard to themselves.
"Therefore they will be your judges.": This is the consequence. If the Pharisees condemn Jesus for casting out demons, but excuse their own followers for doing the same, they are being inconsistent and unfair. Their own followers, by their actions of casting out demons, are effectively demonstrating that it's possible to cast out demons without being in league with Satan. This makes them "judges" of the Pharisees' hypocrisy. Their very existence and activity contradict the Pharisees' accusation.
In summary, Jesus is using a logical argument (a reductio ad absurdum) to expose the absurdity and hypocrisy of the Pharisees' accusation. He's saying:
Your accusation is based on the premise that anyone who casts out demons must be using demonic power.
But your own followers cast out demons.
Are you going to accuse them of being in league with the devil too?
If not, your logic is flawed, and your followers' actions actually demonstrate that it's possible to cast out demons through a power other than Beelzebul.
Therefore, your own followers stand as a testament to your hypocrisy and are a "judge" against you.
Underlying Theology:
This passage also implicitly points to the source of true power. Jesus is suggesting that there is a power other than demonic power that can drive out evil. He is, of course, alluding to the power of God, which he claims is the source of his ability to cast out demons. By implication, he's also questioning where the power of the Pharisees' followers comes from.
Matthew 12:27 - If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
What does "Matthew 12:27" mean?
This verse, Matthew 12:27, is part of a larger argument Jesus is having with the Pharisees. To understand it, let's break it down:
Context: The Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, a name for Satan or a powerful demon. They were essentially claiming Jesus was in league with the devil.
"If I by Beelzebul cast out demons...": Jesus sets up a hypothetical. He's saying, "Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that what you're saying is true and I am casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul..."
"...by whom do your children cast them out?": This is the key point. Jesus knows that some Jews (likely disciples of the Pharisees or other Jewish exorcists) also performed exorcisms. He's asking, "If I'm using demonic power, what power are your followers using when they cast out demons? Do you accuse them of being in league with the devil too?" It's a rhetorical question designed to expose the hypocrisy of the Pharisees' accusation. He's challenging their logic and forcing them to apply the same standard to themselves.
"Therefore they will be your judges.": This is the consequence. If the Pharisees condemn Jesus for casting out demons, but excuse their own followers for doing the same, they are being inconsistent and unfair. Their own followers, by their actions of casting out demons, are effectively demonstrating that it's possible to cast out demons without being in league with Satan. This makes them "judges" of the Pharisees' hypocrisy. Their very existence and activity contradict the Pharisees' accusation.
In summary, Jesus is using a logical argument (a reductio ad absurdum) to expose the absurdity and hypocrisy of the Pharisees' accusation. He's saying:
Your accusation is based on the premise that anyone who casts out demons must be using demonic power.
But your own followers cast out demons.
Are you going to accuse them of being in league with the devil too?
If not, your logic is flawed, and your followers' actions actually demonstrate that it's possible to cast out demons through a power other than Beelzebul.
Therefore, your own followers stand as a testament to your hypocrisy and are a "judge" against you.
Underlying Theology:
This passage also implicitly points to the source of true power. Jesus is suggesting that there is a power other than demonic power that can drive out evil. He is, of course, alluding to the power of God, which he claims is the source of his ability to cast out demons. By implication, he's also questioning where the power of the Pharisees' followers comes from.