The Meaning of Luke 11:15 Explained

Luke 11:15

KJV: But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

YLT: and certain of them said, 'By Beelzeboul, ruler of the demons, he doth cast forth the demons;'

Darby: But some from among them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casts he out demons.

ASV: But some of them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casteth he out demons.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  some  of  them  said,  He casteth out  devils  through  Beelzebub  the chief  of the devils. 

What does Luke 11:15 Mean?

Context Summary

Luke 11:14-26 - For Or Against?
The strong man of this parable is evidently Satan, who guards the palace of man's nature, to which he has no right. It is the palace of the King, which has been captured by His direst foe. The demon-possession of the body is a parable and illustration of the terrible results of the possession of the soul by the demons of jealousy, passion, etc. Satan is strong-stronger than Adam in his innocence or David in his palace. He is armed with the lie; is always on the watch to lull us into false security; but the peace which He gives is of death.
Thank God, Christ is stronger! In the wilderness and on the Cross He proved Himself so. He took away His foe's armor and bruised his head. When Christ takes up His residence in the heart Satan may rage outside and fling in horrid suggestions, but the door is kept closed against his return. They are to be pitied who make a reform in their own strength-Satan will return. Only Christ can work permanent deliverance. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 11

1  Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;
11  assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him
14  He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees;
27  and shows who are blessed;
29  preaches to the people;
37  and reprimands the outward show of holiness

Greek Commentary for Luke 11:15

Dumb [κωπον]
See note on Matthew 9:32. [source]
By Beelzebub [en Beezeboul)]
Blasphemous accusation here in Judea as in Galilee (Mark 3:22; Matthew 12:24, Matthew 12:27). See notes on Matthew for discussion of the form of this name and the various items in the sin against the Holy Spirit involved in the charge. It was useless to deny the fact of the miracles. So they were explained as wrought by Satan himself, a most absurd explanation. [source]
Beelzebub []
See on Matthew 10:25. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 11:15

Luke 11:18 Because ye say [οτι λεγετε]
Jesus here repeats in indirect discourse (accusative and infinitive) the charge made against him in Luke 11:15. The condition is of the first class, determined as fulfilled. [source]
Luke 12:10 But unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit [τωι δε εις το αγιον πνευμα βλασπημησαντι]
This unpardonable sin is given by Mark 3:28.; Matthew 12:31. immediately after the charge that Jesus was in league with Beelzebub. Luke here separates it from the same charge made in Judea (Luke 11:15-20). As frequently said, there is no sound reason for saying that Jesus only spoke his memorable sayings once. Luke apparently finds a different environment here. Note the use of εις — eis here in the sense of “against.” [source]
Luke 20:45 In the hearing of all the people [ακουοντος παντος του λαου]
Genitive absolute, “while all the people were listening” (present active participle). That is the time to speak. The details in this verse and Luke 20:47 are precisely those given in Mark 12:38., which see notes for discussion of details. Matthew 23:1-39 has a very full and rich description of this last phase of the debate in the temple where Jesus drew a full-length portrait of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes in their presence. It was a solemn climax to this last public appearance of Christ in the temple when Jesus poured out the vials of his indignation as he had done before (Matthew 16:2; Luke 11:12, Luke 11:15-18). [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 11:15 mean?

Some then of them said By Beelzebul the prince of the demons He casts out the demons
τινὲς δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν εἶπον Ἐν Βεελζεβοὺλ τῷ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια

τινὲς  Some 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
εἶπον  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
Βεελζεβοὺλ  Beelzebul 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Βεελζεβούλ  
Sense: a name of Satan, the prince of evil spirits.
ἄρχοντι  prince 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄρχων  
Sense: a ruler, commander, chief, leader.
τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δαιμονίων  demons 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: δαιμόνιον  
Sense: the divine power, deity, divinity.
ἐκβάλλει  He  casts  out 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐκβάλλω  
Sense: to cast out, drive out, to send out.
δαιμόνια  demons 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: δαιμόνιον  
Sense: the divine power, deity, divinity.