25: Their responses to Jesus’ work (Luke 11:14 – 32)

They maliciously claimed it was the power of Beelzebul and demanded a sign from heaven. Because of such attitude, even after witnessing Jesus’ power, they face a worse end.

👉 Read Luke 11:14-32

Q1. To their saying that Jesus drove out demons by the power of Beelzebub. What is the Lord's answer to this?

ANS: If so, how will his kingdom stand? By whom do your sons cast demons out?

If Beelzebul drives out his subjects, the evil spirits, we don’t need to cast them out. They will go away automatically. If that’s the case, they cannot say their disciples cast out such self-fallen subjects of Beelzebul by the power of God.

Q2. The fact that God has begun to expel spirits from His people shows that the kingdom of God has come (v. ___). As a stronger man overpowers the less strong man and takes his possessions, Jesus has come, conquered Beelzebul, and taken what belonged to him—that is, people (v. ___). Even those not following Jesus could cast out spirits (v. 19), because the kingdom of God had arrived through Jesus. Therefore, if you drive out evil spirits without following Jesus, you may mistake it for your own power. Such ministry without knowing and believing in Jesus is more dangerous, because it can lead to rejecting His message (v. ___).

The fact that God has begun to expel spirits from His people shows that the kingdom of God has come (v. 20). As a stronger man overpowers the less strong man and takes his possessions, Jesus has come, conquered Beelzebul, and taken what belonged to him—that is, people (v. 22). Even those not following Jesus could cast out spirits (v. 19), because the kingdom of God had arrived through Jesus. Therefore, if you drive out evil spirits without following Jesus, you may mistake it for your own power. Such ministry without knowing and believing in Jesus is more dangerous, because it can lead to rejecting His message (v. 23).

What matters is not casting out demons but to accept the kingdom of God. You should not let your ministry output take away the joy of your salvation.

Q3. Verses 24-26 warn those who don't accept Jesus in their hearts after being released from illness or the spirits. Why does the latter situation get worse?

ANS: Without Jesus, a strong man, it is impossible to stop when the ‘more evil’ spirit comes.

The more evil spirit = the spirit of pride and self-righteousness. Such a person reject the kingdom of God, for he seeks his kingdom.

Q4. According to verse 28, who is blessed?

ANS: Those who hear God's words and put them into practice.

Q5. Why will the Southern Queen and the people of Nineveh judge the people of "this generation"?

ANS: They repented when they saw Solomon's wisdom and Jonah's sign. But the people of "this generation" heard the wisdom of Jesus, who was greater than Solomon and Jonah, and did not believe in his signs.

Repentance is the right response when they see Jesus’ miraculous power, not asking for a sign from heaven. For the Jesus’ sign tells that the kingdom of God has come.

Those who ask for signs from heaven must reflect on the sign of Jonah—Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection—recognizing their sin and God’s forgiving grace. This is the first step to understanding His message and rightly seeing all other signs.

Their concern was the power of the kingdom, but God’s concern was the purity of the kingdom people.