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.

LUKE 11:17KJV
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Luke 11:17 (KJV)

What does Luke 11:17 mean?

In Luke 11:17, Jesus answers the charge that he drives out demons by the power of their ruler. He says that a kingdom or household torn apart by its own members cannot hold together. His answer challenges the idea that the ruler of demons would work against his own forces.

Jesus speaks after knowing what his accusers are thinking. His picture moves from a whole kingdom to a house, bringing the consequences of internal conflict close to home.

The Greek behind Luke 11:17

  • “thoughts” — διανόημα (dianoēma): The word carries the sense of what people are thinking or considering. Jesus responds to the thoughts of his accusers, not merely to words spoken aloud.
  • “house” — οἶκος (oikos): The word can mean a physical house or a household. Here the image can suggest the people who belong together, rather than only the building they occupy.
  • “falleth” — πίπτω (piptō): The word means to fall and can also describe collapse or ruin. It gives a vivid ending to Jesus’ picture of a divided house.

Why Luke 11:17 matters

  • Jesus’ reply addresses the logic of the accusation. In the next verse, he asks how Satan’s kingdom could stand if Satan were divided against himself.
  • The verse begins with Jesus “knowing their thoughts.” Luke presents Jesus as answering the accusation with an awareness of what was in his hearers’ minds.
  • The kingdom image prepares for Jesus’ later explanation of his power. In verse 20, he says that if he drives out demons “with the finger of God,” then the kingdom of God has come upon his hearers.

Where else these words appear

“desolation” Greek G2049 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
  • Revelation 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
  • Revelation 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

“divided” Greek G1266 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
  • Luke 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
  • Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

“falleth” Greek G4098 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
  • Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
  • Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

“house” Greek G3624 · used in 106 verses

  • Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,(then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
  • Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
  • Acts 11:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;