Luke Chapter 11 · Verse 17
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.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοῖς
he
G846
αὐτοῖς
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
1 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰδὼς
knowing
G1492
εἰδὼς
knowing
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 19
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτοῖς
he
G846
αὐτοῖς
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῖς
he
G846
αὐτοῖς
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
βασιλεία
kingdom
G932
βασιλεία
kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ἑαυτὴν
itself
G1438
ἑαυτὴν
itself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
12 of 19
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
διαμερισθεῖσα
divided
G1266
διαμερισθεῖσα
divided
Strong's:
G1266
Word #:
13 of 19
to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension)
ἐρημοῦται
is brought to desolation
G2049
ἐρημοῦται
is brought to desolation
Strong's:
G2049
Word #:
14 of 19
to lay waste (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἶκον
a house
G3624
οἶκον
a house
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
16 of 19
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
Cross References
Revelation 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.Matthew 9:4And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?John 2:25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Historical Context
Jesus' argument uses a form of reductio ad absurdum familiar in rabbinic debate—demonstrating an opponent's position leads to logical impossibility. The imagery of divided kingdoms resonated with audiences familiar with civil wars that destroyed nations (Israel's divided kingdom after Solomon, Roman civil wars). The political metaphor carries theological weight: God's kingdom advances with unity and power, while Satan's, though temporarily formidable, is ultimately doomed to collapse through its inherent contradictions and God's sovereign judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus' knowledge of unspoken thoughts reveal about His deity and the impossibility of hiding our true motives from God?
- How does the principle that 'a house divided cannot stand' apply to church unity and the damage caused by internal conflicts?
- What does this passage teach about the ultimate instability of evil and the certainty of God's kingdom prevailing?
Analysis & Commentary
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. Jesus demonstrates divine omniscience: "knowing their thoughts" (εἰδὼς αὐτῶν τὰ διανοήματα, eidōs autōn ta dianoēmata) reveals His penetration of unspoken motives. He responds with irrefutable logic: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation" (πᾶσα βασιλεία ἐφ' ἑαυτὴν διαμερισθεῖσα ἐρημοῦται, pasa basileia eph' heautēn diameristheisa erēmoutai). The verb "brought to desolation" (ἐρημοῦται, erēmoutai) means to be laid waste, made desolate, destroyed.
And a house divided against a house falleth. Jesus reinforces the principle with domestic imagery: internal division causes collapse. The argument devastates the Beelzebub accusation—if Satan empowers Jesus to destroy demons, Satan wars against himself, which is self-defeating absurdity. This reveals the theological principle that evil, being parasitic on good, contains inherent self-destructive tendencies. Satan's kingdom, though real and powerful, is fundamentally unstable because it opposes God's created order. Only God's kingdom, built on truth and love, endures eternally.