After Jesus is accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub.
Luke 11:19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
Luke 11:19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
If, however, I myself toss out these personal demons by Beelzebub, By what do those heirs of yours toss them out? By this, they themselves will be your judges.
The light-hearted exaggeration of Jesus is edited out in translation. He says "I myself" and then, referring to the heirs of his challengers, "they themselves" using the two personal pronouns as subjects.
The Greek word for "sons" here might be understood more broadly as "heirs" so it covers followers, as in the NIV, and students and even their descendants.
Jesus refers to the personalization of evil with the term "Beelzebub". It is not based upon any Greek word. The word "Ba'al Zebub" ("Lord of the Flies" or "Lord of the Flyers") is a Hebrew pun on "Ba'al Zebul" meaning "Lord of the Manor".
Over time, the truth comes out.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "devil" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word translated as "devil." It means "unseen controller," the invisible causes of disease, especially insanity.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "sons" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "therefore" is not the common word usually translated as "therefore."
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "themselves" after "they" for emphasis.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "now" should be something more like "but."
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "demons" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "followers" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "followers" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "so then" is not the common words usually translated as "so then."
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "themselves" after "they" for emphasis.
And - -(WW) The word "and" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. This word doesn't mean "and."
If -- The "if" here is used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether."It also means "if ever" and "whenever." When used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact the sense is more "whether," "since" or "as sure as."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, this pronoun accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
by -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
Beelzebub. - Jesus refers to the personalization of evil with the term "Beelzebub". It is not based upon any Greek word. The word "Ba'al Zebub" ("Lord of the Flies" or "Lord of the Flyers") is a Hebrew pun on "Ba'al Zebul" meaning "Lord of the Manor." Jesus refers to this pun in Matthew 10:25 using the Greek word "master of the estate" to introduce it. However, in Matthew 12:27, Jesus uses this term to refer to the refer to the controller of demons. For more information, see this article.
cast . -- "Cast out" is a verb that means "throw out." Depending on the context, it can mean "toss out," "turn out," or "take out." The possessive object is a place tossed out of. The direct object is the thing tossed out. It is usually translated as "cast out" in the NT. See this article for more detail.
out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
missing "these" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
devils -- (CW) "Devil" is a word that means "belonging to a controlling spiritual power" so the sense is "an invisible controller." The word doesn't necessarily mean "evil". In Greek is used to refer to a controlling spiritual power, inferior to the gods. It was used to mean "knowing" and "skilled" in the sense that we might say, "He is a demon poker player." However, Jesus seems to always use it negatively as "an unseen controller" referring to invisible causes of disease, especially mental disorders (see this article). In English, our word "daemon" retains these same meanings when it isn't used as an alternate spelling of "demon." This is not the word usually translated as "demons."
by -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
whom -- The Greek word translated as "whiom" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
your .-- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours."
sons -- The word translated as "son" is the Greek word for "son," "scion," "heir," or "descendant." Like most male words, it can be used as a generic term for both sexes when they are descendants of someone. When it refers to "sons" specifically, it should be translated that way, but when it can be applied to both sexes, the less familiar "descendant" is better than "children," especially since this word can refer to adults. It is often a reference to the role of "heir." but Jesus uses another word that specifically means "heir." It can refer to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Jesus also used it metaphorically to describe those who follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article. CW --Confusing Word -- The "children" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
cast -- "Cast out" is a verb that means "throw out." Depending on the context, it can mean "toss out," "turn out," or "take out." The possessive object is a place tossed out of. The direct object is the thing tossed out. It is usually translated as "cast out" in the NT. See this article for more detail.
them -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
therefore-- (CW) This is from two Greek words meaning "through this" or "by this." The specific meaning of this phrase is "on this account" or "on account of this."
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
missing "themselves" -- (MW) "Themselves" is the nominative case of the third-person, plural adjective that means "themselves," "ourselves," "the same," "one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. While other forms of this word are used as pronouns, this form is used for emphasis, since the subject pronoun is part of the verb. --
be -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
your .-- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours."
judges. - - The word "judges" means "judge" or "interpreter" and it is the noun form of the word meaning "to decide" or "to separate."
Now - -(WW) The word "now" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. This word doesn't mean "now."
If -- The "if" here is used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether."It also means "if ever" and "whenever." When used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact the sense is more "whether," "since" or "as sure as."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, this pronoun accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
drive . -- "Drive out" is a verb that means "throw out." Depending on the context, it can mean "toss out," "turn out," or "take out." The possessive object is a place tossed out of. The direct object is the thing tossed out. It is usually translated as "cast out" in the NT. See this article for more detail.
out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
missing "these" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "word" is not shown in the English translation.
demons-- "Demons" is a word that means "belonging to a controlling spiritual power" so the sense is "an invisible controller." The word doesn't necessarily mean "evil". In Greek is used to refer to a controlling spiritual power, inferior to the gods. It was used to mean "knowing" and "skilled" in the sense that we might say, "He is a demon poker player." However, Jesus seems to always use it negatively as "an unseen controller" referring to invisible causes of disease, especially mental disorders (see this article). In English, our word "daemon" retains these same meanings when it isn't used as an alternate spelling of "demon." This is not the word usually translated as "demons."
by -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
Beelzebub. - Jesus refers to the personalization of evil with the term "Beelzebub". It is not based upon any Greek word. The word "Ba'al Zebub" ("Lord of the Flies" or "Lord of the Flyers") is a Hebrew pun on "Ba'al Zebul" meaning "Lord of the Manor." Jesus refers to this pun in Matthew 10:25 using the Greek word "master of the estate" to introduce it. However, in Matthew 12:27, Jesus uses this term to refer to the refer to the controller of demons. For more information, see this article.
by -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
whom -- The Greek word translated as "whiom" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
your .-- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours."
followers --(CW) The word translated as "followers " is the Greek word for "son," "scion," "heir," or "descendant." Like most male words, it can be used as a generic term for both sexes when they are descendants of someone. When it refers to "sons" specifically, it should be translated that way, but when it can be applied to both sexes, the less familiar "descendant" is better than "children," especially since this word can refer to adults. It is often a reference to the role of "heir." but Jesus uses another word that specifically means "heir." It can refer to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Jesus also used it metaphorically to describe those who follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article. CW --Confusing Word -- The "children" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
drive -- "Drive out" is a verb that means "throw out." Depending on the context, it can mean "toss out," "turn out," or "take out." The possessive object is a place tossed out of. The direct object is the thing tossed out. It is usually translated as "cast out" in the NT. See this article for more detail.
them -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
So then.-- (CW) This is from two Greek words meaning "through this" or "by this." The specific meaning of this phrase is "on this account" or "on account of this."
will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
missing "themselves" -- (MW) "Themselves" is the nominative case of the third-person, plural adjective that means "themselves," "ourselves," "the same," "one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. While other forms of this word are used as pronouns, this form is used for emphasis, since the subject pronoun is part of the verb. --
be -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
your .-- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours."
judges. - - The word "judges" means "judge" or "interpreter" and it is the noun form of the word meaning "to decide" or "to separate."
εἰ [90 verses](conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (with the indicative, implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever." In citing a fact, it can mean "as sure as" or "since." It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions. When appearing as εἰ δὲ (literally, "if however") the sense is "if this...then that." The construction εἰ δὲ μή . . means "otherwise." The construction εἰ οὖν has the sense of "if so." However, it is also used to express a wish. After verbs of wonder, delight, indignation, disappointment, contentment, and similar emotions, it is use instead of ὅτι, to express the object of the feeling in a hypothetical form, "that" with the indicative (not subjunctive). With the future tense, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention. When this word is paired with the conjunction translated as "but" or "however," the structure works like an "if then" statement in English. With verbs of desire and emotion and the indicative in the second clause, the sense is "that." With an imperative, it is used to express a wish. The sense is "I wish that." With the future tense indicative, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention. The emphasis clause is after the main statement.
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of an indirect cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In an "if" (εἰ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, it means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then." It can also be an explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."
ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
Βεεζεβοὺλ [4 verses](noun masc sg) "Beelzebub" is from the Greek Beelzeboul, which has no Greek meaning because it is from the Hebrew ba‘al zbûb, which means "Lord [of the] Flies" which is a mockery of the Hebrew ba‘al zbûl, "Lord Prince." Ba'al, of course, was one of the pagan gods mentioned often in the Old Testament, but the word means simple "Lord."
ἐκβάλλω [33 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "Cast out" is ekballo and means "toss out," "through out of a place,"and "expose." Ek means "out of," "from," and "away from." Ballo is "to throw" or "to scatter." While the sense is usually "to toss outside," it can also mean "to turn out" into a place. It can also means "produce" in the sense of a woman giving birth
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article. -
δαιμόνια. [13 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Devils" is daimonion, which means "divinity," "divine power," "a lower divine being," and "evil spirit." Technically, this word means "belonging to a controlling spiritual power." It is from daimôn, which actually is the noun that is translated as "demon." "Evil spirit" is a New Testament usage or interpretation. However, in the Greek Septuagint, the Greek word was used both for the different Hebrew words for "idols" and for "disease," but Greek used it to refer to a controlling spiritual power, inferior to the gods. It was used to mean "knowing" and "skilled" in the sense that we might say, "He is a demon poker player." In the Stoic philosophy, it was the voice of reason inside of us. Plato described his inner voice of conscience as a daimon.
οἱ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, it takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article.
υἱοὶ [158 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Son" is huios, which means a "son," and more generally to refer to any descendant, of any generation. It can refer to male sons or descendants of both sexes, but not purely female descendants. It can and often does refer to adults who are not "children."
ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
τίνι [252 verses](pron sg dat) "Whom" is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." Plural, "who are" is τίνες ἐόντες. It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; to what point? to what end?
ἐκβάλλουσιν; [33 verses](3rd pl pres ind act) "Cast them out" is ekballo and means "toss out," "throw out of a place,"and "expose." Ek means "out of," "from," and "away from." Ballo is "to throw" or "to scatter." While the sense is usually "to toss outside," it can also mean "to turn out" into a place. It can also mean "produce" in the sense of a woman giving birth.
διὰ τοῦτο [22 verses](prep, adj sg neut acc) "Therefore" is from two Greek words meaning "through this" or "by this." "Through" is dia, which means with the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "because of," "by reasons of," and "for the sake of. "This" is touto, which means "this [thing] there/here." With the neuter adjective, the sense is "on this account."
αὐτοὶ [32 verses](pron/adj pl masc nom) "Ourselves" is the nominative case of the third-person, plural adjective that means "themselves," "ourselves," "the same," "one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord." While other forms of this word are used as pronouns, this form is used for emphasis, since the subject pronoun is part of the verb. ---
ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something
κριταὶ [7 verses](noun masc pl nom) "Judges" is krites, which means "judge," "umpire," and "interpreter."
ἔσονται .[614 verses](3rd pl fut ind mid) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or "is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it." With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."