New Testament
Matthew 12:29
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
How can anyone enter a strong man's house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
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Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
What Matthew 12:29 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus uses the metaphor of a strong man to illustrate the power dynamics in spiritual warfare. The strong man represents Satan, who has control over his possessions, which symbolize people under his influence. To take away what belongs to the strong man, one must first overpower him. This signifies that Jesus, through His authority and power, is able to defeat evil and rescue those who are held captive. The act of binding the strong man indicates that Jesus has come to confront and defeat Satan, demonstrating His ability to liberate individuals from sin and oppression. This verse emphasizes the necessity of spiritual strength and authority in overcoming evil forces, highlighting the importance of Jesus' mission on Earth to bring salvation and freedom to humanity.
How to apply Matthew 12:29 to your life
This verse encourages believers to recognize the spiritual battles they face and the authority they have in Christ. It reminds us to rely on Jesus' strength to overcome challenges and to help others find freedom from spiritual bondage. Prayer and faith are essential tools in this fight.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
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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 12:29 mean?
Matthew 12:29 illustrates the concept of spiritual warfare, where Jesus compares Satan to a strong man whose possessions represent people under his influence. To rescue these individuals, Jesus must first overpower Satan, demonstrating His authority to defeat evil and liberate those in bondage.
What is the meaning of 'strong man' in Matthew 12:29?
In Matthew 12:29, the 'strong man' symbolizes Satan, who has control over those he influences. The verse emphasizes that to take away what belongs to him, one must first bind him, highlighting Jesus' power to confront and defeat evil.
How does Matthew 12:29 relate to spiritual warfare?
Matthew 12:29 relates to spiritual warfare by illustrating the need for strength and authority to confront evil. It emphasizes that believers can rely on Jesus' power to overcome challenges and help others find freedom from spiritual bondage.
What does 'bind the strong man' mean in this context?
'Bind the strong man' in this context means to overpower or defeat Satan, who holds people captive. This action signifies Jesus' authority to liberate individuals from sin and the influence of evil.
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