New Testament
Luke 11:19
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And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? Therefore, they will be your judges.
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And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
What Luke 11:19 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus is responding to accusations that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebub, a name associated with the devil. He challenges His critics by asking them how their own followers are able to cast out demons. The implication is that if He is using evil power to perform miracles, then their own exorcists must be doing the same. This rhetorical question serves to highlight the inconsistency in their reasoning. Jesus points out that their own sons, or followers, will judge them for their hypocrisy. The verse emphasizes the authority of Jesus and the absurdity of attributing His divine works to evil forces. It also serves as a warning against blaspheming the Holy Spirit, as it is through the Spirit that Jesus performs His miracles. This passage encourages believers to recognize the source of true power and to be cautious in their judgments of others' actions.
How to apply Luke 11:19 to your life
This verse reminds us to be careful in our judgments of others, especially regarding spiritual matters. We should seek to understand the source of power behind actions and not jump to conclusions. It encourages us to recognize and respect the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the lives of others.
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Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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Plain Meaning
Jesus turns the accusation back on those making it. They claimed He cast out devils by Beelzebub — the chief of the devils. Jesus points out that their own people also cast out devils. If His power comes from Beelzebub, then by the same logic, so does theirs. They would never accept that charge against their own. That contradiction exposes the accusation as unfair, and their own people become the proof that the charge against Jesus does not hold.
Read It in Context
Some in the crowd had just accused Jesus of casting out a devil by the power of Beelzebub (verse 15). Jesus first argued that Satan would not work against his own kingdom (verses 17-18). Verse 19 is the next step in that same reply.
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At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 11:19 mean?
In Luke 11:19, Jesus responds to accusations that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebub. He questions how His critics' followers can also cast out demons, highlighting the inconsistency in their claims and asserting His authority.
What is the significance of Beelzebub in Luke 11:19?
Beelzebub is a name associated with the devil, and in this verse, it represents the accusation that Jesus is using evil power to perform miracles. Jesus uses this reference to challenge the logic of His critics.
What does Jesus mean by 'your sons' in Luke 11:19?
In this verse, 'your sons' refers to the followers or exorcists of Jesus' critics who also claim to cast out demons. Jesus implies that if He is using evil power, then their followers must be doing the same.
How does Luke 11:19 relate to judgment?
Jesus states that the critics' followers will be their judges, indicating that their hypocrisy will be exposed. This serves as a warning about the consequences of false accusations and the importance of recognizing true spiritual authority.
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