St. Luke Chapter 11
9-13. Ask, and it shall be given. See notes on Matt. 7:7-11. These verses are a part of the Sermon on the Mount. It is probable that Luke, who does not give a chronological history, incorporates them here, though not the time when they were spoken. The same may be said of various utterances given by Luke. Luke says instead of good things (Matthew) that the Father will give the Holy Spirit, the best possible gift.
14-26. He casteth out devils through Beelzebub. See notes on Matt. 12:22-29; 43-45. This discourse was given in Galilee (Matthew). [268]
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Matthew Chapter 12
Matt 22. Was brought him one possessed with a devil. See note on Matt. 8:28. Compare Luke 11:14.
23. Is not this the Son of David? The promised Messiah King who was to be the Son of David, according to the prophets (Isa. 11:10; 2 Sam. 23:5).
24. The Pharisees hearing it. Compare Mark 3:22-27. Mark says that some of these Pharisees were scribes who had come from Jerusalem. The ecclesiastical authorities at Jerusalem were now keeping their watch on Jesus. He casteth not out devils but by Beelzebub. See note on Matt. 10:25. Beelzebub, the prince of devils, meant the same as Satan. The Pharisees assert that the Lord's miraculous power is due to the aid of the devil.
25. Knowing their thoughts. They had not made this charge to Christ, but to the multitudes. Every kingdom divided against itself. A general truth is stated. Most states and kingdoms fall, not by the power of foreign enemies, but by the weakness due to divisions.
26. If Satan casteth out Satan. If demons were cast out by the aid of Satan, then Satan was fighting against his own servants. His kingdom was divided against itself.
27. By whom do your sons cast them out? There were Jewish exorcists who professed to cast out demons. Josephus tells of one named Eleazar, whom he says did cast them out. Christ does not say whether they did or not, but argues: "If I, by Satan, cast out demons, by whom do your own exorcists, whom you assert have this power, cast them out"? Compare Acts 19:13.
28. If I by the Spirit of God, etc. If it is the power of God manifest in me, then it demonstrates that I am the expected Messiah King, the Son of David, of whom the multitude spoke. See verse 23.
29. How can . . . spoil his goods, etc.? No one can enter a man's house and take his goods unless he has first conquered him. If I am not the Messiah, stronger than Satan, how could I spoil him? [72]
43-45. When the unclean spirit, etc. The application of these three verses is
found in "even so it shall be unto this wicked generation," the Jews. With an
occasional tendency to repentance, as under [74] the preaching of John, they
became worse and worse until they crucified the Lord and were destroyed. A man
with an unclean spirit, a demon, is chosen to represent them. He goeth out
(transient repentance), returns with seven other evil spirits worse than himself
(a relapse into sin), and the last state is worse than the first, more wicked
and more wretched. So generally with those who dally with sin.
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