Jesus and Beelzebul

14 Now Jesus was casting out a demon that made a certain man mute. When the demon came out, the mute man began to speak, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, he casts out demons.” 16 Others were asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. 17 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a house divided against itself falls. 18 So if Satan is also divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom [fn]do your followers cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his possessions are secure. 22 But when a stronger man attacks and overpowers him, he takes away all the armor in which the man trusted and then distributes the plunder. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.