MAT 12:24 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) [ref]When the Pharisees’ party heard about that, they said, “That man is only driving out demons because he’s Beelzebul, the leader of the demons.”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
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 the Pharisees, having heard this, said, “He does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul, ruler of the demons.”

UST However, the Pharisees heard them saying that. They responded, “This man forces out demons only because Beelzebul, who rules the demons, enables him to do so.”

12:24 WH Beezeboul; Vulgate Beelzebub; also in verse 27

BLB And the Pharisees having heard, said, "This man casts out the demons only by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons."

AICNT But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This one does not cast out demons except by {Beelzebul},[fn] the ruler of the demons.”

12:24, Beelzebul: Or “Beelzebub.”

OEB But the Pharisees heard of it and said, ‘He drives out demons only by the help of Beelzebul the chief of the demons.’

WEBBE But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET But when the Pharisees heard this they said, “He does not cast out demons except by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons!”

LSV But the Pharisees having heard, said, “This One does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, ruler of the demons.”

FBV But when the Pharisees heard this, they replied, “This man can only throw out demons through the power of Beelzebub, the chief of demons!”

TCNT But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, that this man casts out demons.”

T4T Because the Pharisees and the men who taught the Jewish laws heard that the people thought that Jesus might be the Messiah because he had expelled the demon, they said, “It is not God, but Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons, who enables this man to expel demons from people!”

LEB But the Pharisees, when they[fn] heard it,[fn] said, “This man does not expel demons except by Beelzebul the ruler of demons!”

12:24 *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal

12:24 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation

BBE But the Pharisees, hearing of it, said, This man only sends evil spirits out of men by Beelzebub, the ruler of evil spirits.

Moff But when the Pharisees heard of it they said, "This fellow only casts out daemons by Beelzebul the prince of daemons."

Wymth The Pharisees heard it and said, "This man only expels demons by the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of demons."

ASV But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons.

DRA But the Pharisees hearing it, said: This man casteth not out the devils but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

YLT but the Pharisees having heard, said, 'This one doth not cast out demons, except by Beelzeboul, ruler of the demons.'

Drby But the Pharisees, having heard [it], said, This [man] does not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub, prince of demons.

RV But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
(But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth/does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. )

SLT But the Pharisees, having heard, said, He casts not out demons, but by Beelzebub, ruler of demons.

Wbstr But when the Pharisees heard it , they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons.

KJB-1769 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
(But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth/does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. )

KJB-1611 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doeth not cast out deuils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the deuils.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above)

Bshps But when the Pharisees hearde it, they sayde: This felowe driueth the deuils no otherwise out, but by Beelzebub the prince of the deuils.
(But when the Pharisees heard it, they said: This fellow driveth/drives the devils no otherwise out, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.)

Gnva But when the Pharises heard it, they saide, This man casteth the deuils no otherwise out, but through Beelzebub the prince of deuils.
(But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man casteth the devils no otherwise out, but through Beelzebub the prince of devils. )

Cvdl But whan the Pharises herde that, they sayde: He dryueth the deuyls out none other wyse, but thorow Beelzebub the chefe of the deuyls.
(But when the Pharisees heard that, they said: He driveth the devils out none other wise, but through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.)

TNT But when the Pharises hearde that they sayde: This felow dryveth the devyls no nother wyse oute but by the helpe of Belzebub the chefe of the devyls.
(But when the Pharisees heard that they said: This fellow dryveth the devils no nother wise out but by the help of Belzebub the chief of the devils. )

Wycl But the Farisees herden, and seiden, He this casteth not out feendis, but in Belsabub, prince of feendis.
(But the Pharisees heard, and said, He this casteth not out fiends/devils, but in Belsabub, prince of fiends/devils.)

Luth Aber die Pharisäer, da sie es höreten, sprachen sie: Er treibet die Teufel nicht anders aus als durch Beelzebub, der Teufel Obersten.
(But the Pharisees, there they/she/them it heard, said they/she/them: He drives the devil not different out_of as through Beelzebub, the/of_the devil colonel.)

ClVg Pharisæi autem audientes, dixerunt: Hic non ejicit dæmones nisi in Beelzebub principe dæmoniorum.[fn]
(Pharisees however hearing, they_said: Here/This not/no eyicit demons except in/into/on Beelzebub prince of_demons. )

12.24 In Beelzebub. Beel, id est, Baal: muscarum, ob sordes immolatitii sanguinis: deus est Accaron, quo nomine vocant principem dæmoniorum.

12.24 In Beelzebub. Beel, that it_is, Baal: muscarum, because dirt/filth sacrificedtii blood: god it_is Accaron, where by_name they_call prince of_demons.

UGNT οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι ἀκούσαντες εἶπον, οὗτος οὐκ ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια, εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ Βεελζεβοὺλ, ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων.
(hoi de Farisaioi akousantes eipon, houtos ouk ekballei ta daimonia, ei maʸ en tōi Beʼelzeboul, arⱪonti tōn daimoniōn.)

SBL-GNT οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι ἀκούσαντες εἶπον· Οὗτος οὐκ ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ Βεελζεβοὺλ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων.
(hoi de Farisaioi akousantes eipon; Houtos ouk ekballei ta daimonia ei maʸ en tōi Beʼelzeboul arⱪonti tōn daimoniōn.)

RP-GNT Οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι ἀκούσαντες εἶπον, Οὗτος οὐκ ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια, εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ Βεελζεβοὺλ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων.
(Hoi de Farisaioi akousantes eipon, Houtos ouk ekballei ta daimonia, ei maʸ en tōi Beʼelzeboul arⱪonti tōn daimoniōn.)

TC-GNT Οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι ἀκούσαντες εἶπον, Οὗτος οὐκ ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια, εἰ μὴ ἐν [fn]τῷ [fn]Βεελζεβοὺλ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων.
(Hoi de Farisaioi akousantes eipon, Houtos ouk ekballei ta daimonia, ei maʸ en tōi Beʼelzeboul arⱪonti tōn daimoniōn. )

12:24 τω ¦ — PCK

12:24 βεελζεβουλ ¦ βεεζεβουλ WH

Key for above GNTs: red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:22–32: Jesus showed that he did not use Satan’s power

In this section, Jesus healed a man whom demons had been controlling. The Pharisees said that he did it by the power of Satan. Doing something by the power of Satan is sorcery. Sorcery was punishable by death in the Jewish law. Jesus explained to them why it could not be true that he cast out demons by the power of Satan. He also warned them that they must not look at something he had done by the Holy Spirit’s power and say that Satan gave him the power to do it. This is blaspheming the Holy Spirit (12:31).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Pharisees accuse Jesus of working with Satan

Jesus’ power is greater than Satan’s power

The power of Jesus comes from the Holy Spirit, not from Satan

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 3:22–30 and Luke 11:14–23.

12:24a

But when the Pharisees heard this, they said,

But when the Pharisees heard those words, they said,
But when the Pharisees heard what the people were saying, they said,

But: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between what the people were starting to believe about Jesus (in 12:23b), and what the Pharisees believed about him. The BSB indicates this contrast with the conjunction But.

Here is another way to introduce this contrast in English:

However

when the Pharisees heard this: The word this refers to what the people were saying/asking about Jesus (12:23b).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

when the Pharisees heard that

when the Pharisees heard those words

when the Pharisees heard what the people were saying

they said: The words that the Pharisees said in 12:24b were not said directly to Jesus, because 12:25a says that Jesus knew their thoughts. They probably spoke the following words to each other and to some of those who were wondering if Jesus might be the Messiah. If it is natural in your language to say who was spoken to, use a phrase that does not include Jesus. For example:

said to each other (JBP)

they said among themselves

12:24b

“Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.”

“The only reason that this fellow is able to cast demons out of people is because Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, gave him the power to do it.”
“This person has received power from Satan, the chief of evil spirits. That is why he is able to make evil spirits leave people.”

Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons: In this clause, the Pharisees accused Jesus of using the power of Beelzebul (Satan) to cast demons out of people. This was a charge of sorcery.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

He forces out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons (CEV)

Jesus uses the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, to force demons out of people (NCV)

Beelzebul, the prince of demons, gives him power. That is why he is able to cast out demons.

Beelzebul: This word refers to Satan. The Jews sometimes used this name instead of Satan to refer to the devil.

There is a spelling issue here. Some English versions spell this word “Beelzebul” (as in the BSB). Other English versions spell this word “Beelzebub” (as in the NIV). You should follow the spelling of the major language version in your area.

If people in your area will not understand that Beelzebul refers to Satan, you may want to:

Include a footnote explaining Beelzebul. Here is a sample footnote:
Beelzebul is a name that the Jews sometimes used for Satan.
Use the name “Satan” rather than Beelzebul. For example:
No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons. (NLT)

prince: The Greek word that the BSB translates as prince also has a general sense that means “ruler.” The English term “prince” often implies a “secondary ruler under a king.” But in this context the Greek word refers generally to any ruler.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

ruler (GNT)

chief

demons: The Greek word that the BSB translates as demons refers to the same type of spirits as the Greek words that are often translated as “evil spirits” or “unclean spirits.” These evil spirits can control peoples’ actions and can make them sick.

Here are some other ways to translate demons:

Use a word in your language that refers to a spirit that is evil and can control people. Do not use a word that refers to the spirit of a dead person.
Use a descriptive phrase. For example:
evil/bad spirits
spirits that do evil
spirits that oppose God

See also demon in the Glossary for more information.

this man: The Greek text is literally “this (one).” It is likely the Pharisees said “this one” to show that they despised Jesus. You may want to translate this phrase with a term that shows that they disliked or despised Jesus. For example:

this fellow

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἀκούσαντες

˓having˒_heard

Matthew implies that Pharisees heard what the crowds were asking about Jesus (see [12:23](../12/23.md)). You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [having heard what the crowds were asking]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-exceptions

οὗτος οὐκ ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια, εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ Βεελζεβοὺλ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Δέ Φαρισαῖοι ἀκούσαντες εἶπον Οὗτος οὐκ ἐκβάλλει τά δαιμόνια εἰ μή ἐν τῷ Βεελζεβούλ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων)

If, in your language, it would appear that the Pharisees were making a statement here and then contradicting it, you could reword this to avoid using an exception clause. Alternate translation: [He is only able to cast out demons by Beelzebul]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἐν τῷ Βεελζεβοὺλ

by ¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Δέ Φαρισαῖοι ἀκούσαντες εἶπον Οὗτος οὐκ ἐκβάλλει τά δαιμόνια εἰ μή ἐν τῷ Βεελζεβούλ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων)

These people are using the name of this chief demon to refer by association to his power, which they are accusing Jesus of using. Alternate translation: [by the power of Beelzebul]

Parallel MAT 12:24

Section 12:22–32: Jesus showed that he did not use Satan’s power

12:24a

12:24b