Luke 11:24
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
Original Language Analysis
Ὅταν
When
G3752
Ὅταν
When
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
1 of 25
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀκάθαρτον
the unclean
G169
ἀκάθαρτον
the unclean
Strong's:
G169
Word #:
3 of 25
impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specially, (demonic))
πνεῦμα
spirit
G4151
πνεῦμα
spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
4 of 25
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ἀπὸ
out of
G575
ἀπὸ
out of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
6 of 25
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δι'
through
G1223
δι'
through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
10 of 25
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τόπων
places
G5117
τόπων
places
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
12 of 25
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
ζητοῦν
seeking
G2212
ζητοῦν
seeking
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
13 of 25
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
none
G3361
μὴ
none
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
16 of 25
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
λέγει
he saith
G3004
λέγει
he saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
18 of 25
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ὑποστρέψω
I will return
G5290
Ὑποστρέψω
I will return
Strong's:
G5290
Word #:
19 of 25
to turn under (behind), i.e., to return (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
20 of 25
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἶκόν
house
G3624
οἶκόν
house
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
22 of 25
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:Psalms 63:1O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;Job 1:7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.Job 2:2And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.Isaiah 48:22There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.Mark 5:10And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.Ephesians 2:2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:Mark 9:25When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.Isaiah 44:3For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:Isaiah 35:7And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
Historical Context
Ancient Jewish and pagan literature describes demons inhabiting desolate, waterless places—wilderness, ruins, tombs. The image of a restless demon wandering dry regions seeking rest reflects widespread first-century demonology. However, Jesus' unique contribution is the warning about return and reoccupation. Many Jewish exorcisms achieved temporary relief but lacked power for permanent deliverance. Jesus warns that superficial religious reform without genuine conversion to God leaves people more vulnerable than before.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the demon's inability to find rest outside a human host reveal about evil spirits' parasitic nature?
- How does this passage warn against mere behavior modification or 'cleaning up your life' without genuine spiritual rebirth?
- In what ways might contemporary Christianity produce 'swept and garnished' but empty religious people vulnerable to spiritual oppression?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. Jesus shifts from the Beelzebub controversy to warn about incomplete deliverance. The phrase "unclean spirit" (τὸ ἀκάθαρτον πνεῦμα, to akatharton pneuma) emphasizes demonic defilement—these beings pollute and corrupt. When exorcised, the demon "walketh through dry places" (ἔρημος, erēmos can mean waterless, desolate regions), "seeking rest" (ζητοῦν ἀνάπαυσιν, zētoun anapausin) but "finding none" (μὴ εὑρίσκον, mē heuriskon).
The demon's monologue—"I will return unto my house" (ὑποστρέψω εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου, hypostrepsō eis ton oikon mou)—reveals chilling presumption: it still considers the delivered person its dwelling. The warning is profound: exorcism without regeneration leaves a person vulnerable to reoccupation. Deliverance from demons is insufficient; one must be indwelt by the Holy Spirit and filled with God's truth. An empty life, though swept clean of evil, invites demonic return. This teaches that Christianity is not mere moral reformation but spiritual transformation through new birth and Spirit-filling (John 3:5-8, Ephesians 5:18).