New Testament
Matthew 12:27
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your children drive them out? Therefore, they will be your judges.
Compare translations
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
What Matthew 12:27 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 children, who also perform exorcisms, do so. This rhetorical question implies that if He is using evil power, then their children must be doing the same. Jesus points out the inconsistency in their logic, suggesting that their own actions would condemn them. The implication is that His authority comes from God, not from evil. This verse highlights the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time, emphasizing the need for discernment in recognizing true spiritual authority. It serves as a reminder that accusations against others can often reflect our own shortcomings and biases.
How to apply Matthew 12:27 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine our own judgments and accusations against others. Before criticizing someone, we should consider our own actions and motivations. It reminds us to seek understanding and discernment rather than jumping to conclusions based on assumptions or biases.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Mary, Jesus' mother's story: An Angel Visits Mary (Luke 1:26–38)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Mary, Jesus' mother
Photo: Gary Todd (Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.), via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Source. Location: Southern end of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem Old City. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Jerusalem
David's capital, the city of the temple, and the place where Jesus died and rose again.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Matthew 12:27
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Matthew 12:27
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 12:27 mean?
Matthew 12:27 shows Jesus responding to accusations that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebub. He questions His critics about how their own children perform exorcisms, highlighting the inconsistency in their logic and asserting that His authority comes from God.
What is the significance of Beelzebub in Matthew 12:27?
Beelzebub is a name associated with the devil, and in Matthew 12:27, it represents the accusation against Jesus that He uses evil power to cast out demons. Jesus uses this reference to challenge the credibility of His critics and their claims.
What does Jesus imply about spiritual authority in this verse?
In Matthew 12:27, Jesus implies that true spiritual authority comes from God, not from evil. By questioning His critics, He emphasizes the need for discernment in recognizing genuine spiritual power.
How does Matthew 12:27 relate to judgment and hypocrisy?
Matthew 12:27 highlights the theme of judgment by pointing out that if Jesus is casting out demons by evil means, then the same must apply to His critics' children. This rhetorical question exposes hypocrisy in their accusations.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.