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Luke 11:17

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 11:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth.
Luke 11:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And he was casting out a demon [that was] dumb. And it came to pass, when the demon was gone out, the dumb man spake; and the multitudes marvelled.
15But some of them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casteth he out demons.
16And others, trying [him], sought of him a sign from heaven.
17But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth.
18And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub.
19And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
20But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.
← Luke 11:16Luke 11:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But he knowing their thoughts, etc.] Being God omniscient, said unto them; the following parables, as they are called in (<410323>Mark 3:23) or proverbial expressions, very pertinent to the purpose, and sufficient to set aside the base calumnies of the Pharisees: every kingdom divided against itself, is brought to desolation; in process of time, division will end in destruction; and as it does in the kingdoms of the world, of which there have been fatal instances, so it would in the kingdom of Satan, was there in it a division, which the calumny of the Pharisees supposes: and an house divided against an house, falleth. The Persic version renders it, “an house divided from the foundation,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 12:22-30. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A house - That is, a family. Luke 11:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:17 He knew their thoughts: See 5:22; 7:40; 9:47. • Any kingdom divided by civil war: Jesus’ first response to the accusation was that he could not be working for Satan; he was tearing down Satan’s kingdom by casting out demons.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“knowing: Mat 9:4, Mat 12:25; Mar 3:23-26; Joh 2:25; Rev 2:23 Every: Ch2 10:16-19, Ch2 13:16, Ch2 13:17; Isa 9:20, Isa 9:21, Isa 19:2, Isa 19:3 Luke 11:18”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 11 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification