LUKE 11:18 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But if Satan is also divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say I cast out the demons by Beelzebul.

UST Similarly, if Satan and his demons were fighting against each other, his rule over them would certainly not last! I say this because you are saying that I force out demons by the power of the ruler of demons!

BSB If Satan is divided against himself, how {can} his kingdom stand? After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul.

MSB If Satan is divided against himself, how {can} his kingdom stand? After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul.

BLB And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say I cast out the demons by Beelzebul.

AICNT “If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say [that][fn] I cast out demons by {Beelzebul}.[fn]

11:18, that: Absent from some manuscripts. Latin(ff² i)

11:18, Beelzebul: Latin(b ff² i) reads “the chief of demons.”

OEB So, too, if Satan is wholly divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? Yet you say that I drive out demons by the help of Beelzebul.

WEBBE If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET So if Satan too is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? I ask you this because you claim that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.

LSV and if Satan was also divided against himself, how will his kingdom be made to stand? For you say by Beelzebul is My casting forth the demons,

FBV If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? You say that I cast out demons using the power of Beelzebub.

TCNT So if Satan is also divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.

T4T Similarly, if Satan and his demons were fighting against each other, ◄his rule over them would certainly not last!/how would his rule over them last?► [RHQ] I say this because you are saying that I am expelling demons by the power of the ruler of his own demons

LEB So if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I expel demons by Beelzebul.

BBE If, then, Satan is at war with himself, how will he keep his kingdom? because you say that I send evil spirits out of men by the help of Beelzebul.

Moff if Satan is divided against himself,
⇔ how can his realm stand?
⇔ You say I am casting out daemons by Beelzebul?

Wymth And if Satan really has engaged in fierce conflict with himself, how shall his kingdom stand? —because you say that I expel demons by the power of Baal-zebul.

ASV And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub.

DRA And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because you say, that through Beelzebub I cast out devils.

YLT and if also the Adversary against himself was divided, how shall his kingdom be made to stand? for ye say, by Beelzeboul is my casting forth the demons.

Drby and if also Satan is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom subsist? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub.

RV And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils by Beelzebub.
(And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye/you_all say that I cast out devils by Beelzebub. )

SLT And if Satan also be divided against himself, how should his kingdom stand? for ye say by Beelzebul I cast out demons.

Wbstr If Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons through Beelzebub.

KJB-1769 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
( If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye/you_all say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. )

KJB-1611 If Satan also be diuided against himselfe, how shall his kingdom stand? Because yee say that I cast out deuils through Beelzebub.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation)

Bshps If Satan also be deuided against him selfe, howe shall his kyngdome endure? Because ye saye that I cast out deuils through Beelzebub.
(If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom endure? Because ye/you_all say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.)

Gnva So if Satan also bee deuided against himselfe, howe shall his kingdome stande, because yee say that I cast out deuils through Beelzebub?
(So if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand, because ye/you_all say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub? )

Cvdl Yf Sathan then be at variaunce within himself, how shal his kyngdome endure? Because ye saye, that I dryue out deuels thorow Beelzebub.
(If Satan then be at variance within himself, how shall his kingdom endure? Because ye/you_all say, that I drive out devils through Beelzebub.)

TNT So if Satan be devided with in him silfe: how shall his kyngdome endure? Because ye saye that I cast out devyls by the power of Belzebub.
(So if Satan be divided with in himself: how shall his kingdom endure? Because ye/you_all say that I cast out devils by the power of Beelzebub. )

Wycl And if Sathanas be departid ayens hym silf, hou schal his rewme stonde? For ye seien, that Y caste out feendis in Belsabub.
(And if Satan be departed against himself, how shall his realm stand? For ye/you_all said, that I cast/threw out fiends/devils in Beelzebub.)

Luth Ist denn der Satanas auch mit ihm selbst uneins, wie will sein Reich bestehen? dieweil ihr saget, ich treibe die Teufel aus durch Beelzebub.
(Is because/than the/of_the Satanas also with him himself/itself disagree, as/like will be kingdom consist? meanwhile you(pl)/their/her says, I drive the devil out_of through Beelzebub.)

ClVg Si autem et Satanas in seipsum divisus est, quomodo stabit regnum ejus? quia dicitis in Beelzebub me ejicere dæmonia.[fn]
(When/But_if however and Satan in/into/on himself divided it_is, how will_stand kingdom his? because you(pl)_say in/into/on Beelzebub me to_throw_out demons. )

11.18 Ipse autem ut vidit cogitationes eorum. Hoc sibi proprium Dominus reservavit, ut cogitationes intueatur et judicet. Proprium est Judæorum quærere signa, unde Paulus: Judæi signa petunt, gentes sapientiam I Cor. 1.. Ipse autem ut vidit. Non ad verba, sed ad cogitata respondet: in quo dat certum potentiæ suæ signum qua secreta cordium rimatur. Juxta litteram patet, quod omne regnum solidum, et firmum si per partes dividitur, in solitudinem redigitur, vacuatum ab habitatoribus, et domus supra domum cadet cum habitatoribus unius domus ab alterius domus familia vel opprimuntur vel puniuntur. Quo autem hæc spiritualiter tendant, exponit cum adjungit: Si autem et Satanas in seipsum divisus est. Si ego, ut vos dicitis, in principe dæmoniorum ejicio dæmonia, ergo regnum diaboli est divisum contra se, et ita potestas malitiæ ejus stare non potest. Si autem dæmon dæmonem non potest expellere, falso dicitis me in principe dæmoniorum dæmonia ejicere. Si vero potest sicut dicitis, prospicite vobis, ut de regno ejus quod divisum est exeatis, ne in ruina ejus pariter involvamini. In quo autem Dominus ejiciat dæmones, ne dæmoniorum principem existiment, attendant quod sequitur.

11.18 Exactly_that however as he_saw thoughts their. This to_himself own Master reservavit, as thoughts intueatur and he_will_judge. Proprium it_is Jews to_seek/search_for signs, from_where/who Paulus: Jews signs petunt, people/nations wisdom I Cor. 1.. Exactly_that however as he_saw. Not/No to words, but to thinksa responds: in/into/on where gives certain of_power his/her_own sign/signal which secrets heart rimatur. According_to/Near literally clear, that everything kingdom solidum, and firmum when/but_if through parts is_divided, in/into/on solitude redigitur, vacuatum away to_the_inhabitants, and home above house/home cadet when/with to_the_inhabitants of_one home away another's home familia or opprimuntur or puniuntur. Where however these_things spiritually tendant, explains when/with adjoins: When/But_if however and Satan in/into/on himself divided it_is. When/But_if I, as you(pl) you(pl)_say, in/into/on prince of_demons eyicio demons, therefore kingdom devils it_is divided on_the_contrary himself, and so/thus power of_malice his to_stand not/no can. When/But_if however dæmon demonm not/no can expellere, falsely you(pl)_say me in/into/on prince of_demons demons to_throw_out. When/But_if indeed/however can like you(pl)_say, prospicite to_you(pl), as from/about kingdom his that divided it_is go_out, not in/into/on ruin(n) his as_well involvamini. In where however Master eyiciat demons, not of_demons prince existiment, attendant that follows.

UGNT εἰ δὲ καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐφ’ ἑαυτὸν διεμερίσθη, πῶς σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ? ὅτι λέγετε, ἐν Βεελζεβοὺλ ἐκβάλλειν με τὰ δαιμόνια.
(ei de kai ho Satanas ef’ heauton diemeristhaʸ, pōs stathaʸsetai haʸ basileia autou? hoti legete, en Beʼelzeboul ekballein me ta daimonia.)

SBL-GNT εἰ δὲ καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐφʼ ἑαυτὸν διεμερίσθη, πῶς σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ; ὅτι λέγετε ἐν Βεελζεβοὺλ ἐκβάλλειν με τὰ δαιμόνια.
(ei de kai ho Satanas efʼ heauton diemeristhaʸ, pōs stathaʸsetai haʸ basileia autou; hoti legete en Beʼelzeboul ekballein me ta daimonia.)

RP-GNT Εἰ δὲ καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐφ' ἑαυτὸν διεμερίσθη, πῶς σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ; Ὅτι λέγετε, Ἐν Βεελζεβοὺλ ἐκβάλλειν με τὰ δαιμόνια.
(Ei de kai ho Satanas ef' heauton diemeristhaʸ, pōs stathaʸsetai haʸ basileia autou; Hoti legete, En Beʼelzeboul ekballein me ta daimonia.)

TC-GNT Εἰ δὲ καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐφ᾽ ἑαυτὸν διεμερίσθη, πῶς σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ; Ὅτι λέγετε ἐν [fn]Βεελζεβοὺλ [fn]ἐκβάλλειν με τὰ δαιμόνια.
(Ei de kai ho Satanas ef heauton diemeristhaʸ, pōs stathaʸsetai haʸ basileia autou; Hoti legete en Beʼelzeboul ekballein me ta daimonia. )

11:18 βεελζεβουλ ¦ βεεζεβουλ WH

11:18 εκβαλλειν με ¦ με εκβαλλειν ANT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 11:14–23: Jesus proved that he did not use Satan’s power

This section is not explicitly connected with the preceding section in time, place, or theme.

In this section, Jesus cast out a demon that made a man mute (11:14). Some people who were there commented to each other that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Satan (11:15). Jesus gave them two reasons why this could not be true (11:17–19). He concluded that he cast out demons by the power of God (11:20). Then he told a parable (11:21–22) that showed that he is stronger than Satan.

Some other headings for this section are:

Jesus is stronger than Satan

Jesus and Beelzebub

Jesus sends unclean spirits away by defeating Satan

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 12:22–30 and Mark 3:20–27.

Paragraph 11:17–20

In this paragraph Jesus gave two arguments to prove that he was not using Beelzebul’s power to drive out demons. He was using God’s power. The two arguments are:

If he were using Beelzebul’s power, then Beelzebul would be fighting against his own demons and would destroy his own kingdom (11:17–18).
If he were using Beelzebul’s power, then his accusers would need to explain why they did not also accuse other Jewish exorcists of using Beelzebul’s power (11:19).

No one would accept the conclusion to these arguments, so there was only one alternative: Jesus was using God’s power (11:20).

11:18

The examples of a kingdom and a family that Jesus used in 11:17 also apply to Satan and his unclean spirits. In Greek, 11:18 is literally “If Satan also is divided.” Many English versions include the word “also.” To make this meaning clear, it may be necessary in some languages to begin 11:18 as follows:

It is the same also with Satan.

In the same way…

In some languages it may be clearer to reorder 11:18a–c. See the General Comment on 11:18a–c at the end of the note on 11:18c for an example.

11:18a

If Satan is divided against himself,

Likewise, if Satan and those in his kingdom are divided and fight against themselves,
It is the same also with Satan. If he is/fights against his own followers,

If Satan is divided against himself: The word Satan here is a figurative reference to Satan’s kingdom. It refers to the demons over which he rules. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this figurative meaning clear. For example:

If Satan’s kingdom is divided against/within itself

If Satan’s followers are divided against themselves

If Satan fights against his fellow demons

Satan: The word Satan is the Hebrew name of the chief/leader of all the unclean spirits. In Hebrew his name means “enemy.” He is the enemy of God and God’s people.

Here are some ways to translate Satan:

Use a local name or idiom that refers to the chief of all demons.
Use a descriptive phrase such as:
the chief/leader of the unclean spirits
the spirit enemy of God
Transliterate the name Satan. If this word is not already known in your area, you may also want to add a descriptive phrase. For example:
Satanas, the ruler of demons
Shaitan

The word Satan also occurs in 10:18a–b.

11:18b

how can his kingdom stand?

then how can his kingdom last/remain?
then his rule will certainly not last long.
then he will definitely not be able to continue ruling.

how can his kingdom stand?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that Satan’s kingdom will certainly not stand.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
how can his kingdom stand? It certainly cannot!
As a statement. For example:
his kingdom will certainly not stand
his kingdom will not continue (NCV)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

his kingdom: The phrase his kingdom here refers to “Satan’s rule” or “his power/authority.”

In the Greek language, the verb that the BSB translates as “stand” goes together with words such as “kingdom” and “government.” This is a figure of speech that means “continues to exist.” You should use whichever verb in your language naturally goes together with kingdom. Some other examples in English are:

how can his kingdom survive (NLT)

how can it last (GNT)

he wouldn’t be able to continue ruling (TRT)

11:18c

After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul.

I say this because you^(plur) claim/say that I use Beelzebul’s power to expel demons.
I say this to you because you^(plur) said that Beelzebul/Satan gave me the power to cause evil spirits to leave people.

After all: The Greek word that the BSB translates as After all is literally “because” or “for.” Most English versions translate it that way. The NIV and several other English versions also supply the words “I say this” before “because.” They supply these words to help indicate that 11:18c is the reason why Jesus said what he did in 11:17b–18b.

you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul: Jesus was referring to what the people said in 11:15, that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul.

demons: This is the same word as in 11:15c.

Beelzebul: The Greek word that the BSB transliterates as Beelzebul is again Beelzebul, as in 11:15b. You should use the same name as you did there.

General Comment on 11:18a–c

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder 11:18a–c. For example:

^18cYou say I am empowered by the prince of demons. But ^18aif Satan is fighting against himself ^18cby empowering me to cast out his demons, ^18bhow can his kingdom survive? (NLT96)

^18cYou say that it is Satan the prince of demons who gives me the power to drive out demons. ^18aSo, if this is true, it means that Satan is fighting against himself! ^18bTherefore, will his rule continue? It certainly will not!

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

εἰ δὲ καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐφ’ ἑαυτὸν διεμερίσθη, πῶς σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ?

if (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ καί ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐφʼ ἑαυτόν διεμερίσθη πῶς σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ Ὅτι λέγετε ἐν Βεελζεβούλ ἐκβάλλειν μέ τά δαιμόνια)

Jesus is using the question form as a teaching tool. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate his words as a statement. Alternate translation: [But if Satan is divided against himself, then his kingdom cannot last.]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-condition-contrary

εἰ δὲ καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐφ’ ἑαυτὸν διεμερίσθη, πῶς σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ?

Jesus is also using a conditional statement to teach. Specifically, he is suggesting a condition that is not true in order to show by the results of the condition that it is certainly not true. Alternate translation: [Suppose Satan and all the other members of his kingdom are fighting among themselves. In that case, his kingdom cannot last.]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

εἰ & καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐφ’ ἑαυτὸν διεμερίσθη

if & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ καί ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐφʼ ἑαυτόν διεμερίσθη πῶς σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ Ὅτι λέγετε ἐν Βεελζεβούλ ἐκβάλλειν μέ τά δαιμόνια)

Here Jesus uses the person of Satan to refer to all of the demons who follow Satan, as well as to Satan himself. Alternate translation: [if Satan and all of his demons are also fighting among themselves]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

εἰ & καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐφ’ ἑαυτὸν διεμερίσθη

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this with an active form. Alternate translation: [if Satan and all of his demons are also fighting among themselves]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

πῶς σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ?

how ˓will_be_being˒_stood the kingdom ˱of˲_him

Jesus asks how a kingdom could stand as if it were a building or a person. Alternate translation: [how can his kingdom last?] or [then his kingdom cannot last.]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὅτι λέγετε, ἐν Βεελζεβοὺλ ἐκβάλλειν με τὰ δαιμόνια

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ καί ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐφʼ ἑαυτόν διεμερίσθη πῶς σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ Ὅτι λέγετε ἐν Βεελζεβούλ ἐκβάλλειν μέ τά δαιμόνια)

The implication is that if Jesus is doing this, then Satan’s kingdom is divided against itself. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. It may also be helpful to say who people considered Beelzebul to be. Alternate translation: [You are saying that I make demons leave people by using the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons. That would mean that Satan is divided against himself]