And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

LUKE 11:19KJV
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Luke 11:19 (KJV)

What does Luke 11:19 mean?

Luke 11:19 records Jesus challenging His critics by asking, if they accuse Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub (a name for a demonic figure), then by what power do their own people drive out demons? He points out their inconsistency and says that their own followers will be their judges.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a crowd that includes religious leaders who have accused Him of using evil power to cast out demons. By turning the question back on them, Jesus exposes a double standard: their own "sons" (likely Jewish exorcists) also cast out demons, so the accusation against Jesus would logically apply to them as well. This argument highlights the unfairness of their charge and sets up Jesus’ following explanation about the true source of His authority.

The Greek behind Luke 11:19

  • Βεελζεβούλ (Beelzeboul, transliterated "Beelzebub") refers to a figure associated with evil or demonic power. Jesus uses their own term to show the absurdity of their accusation.
  • ἐκβάλλω (ekballō, "cast out") is used for driving out demons. The repetition of this word for both Jesus and the "sons" underlines that the same action is being done by both groups, making the accusation inconsistent.
  • υἱοί (huioi, "sons") here is often understood as "followers" or "disciples" of the Jewish leaders, not necessarily literal sons. This broadens the argument to include anyone among them who practices exorcism.
  • κριταί (kritai, "judges") means those who decide or evaluate. Jesus says these "sons" will be the judges, emphasizing that the accusers’ own people will expose their unfairness.

Why Luke 11:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jesus is not denying the reality of other Jewish exorcists, but instead uses their existence to reveal the inconsistency in the accusations against Him.
  • Luke 11:19 highlights the logical flaw in the religious leaders’ argument, showing that their criticism of Jesus would also condemn their own practices.
  • The verse sets up the larger discussion in the passage about the true source of Jesus’ power and authority, leading into His teaching about the kingdom of God.

Where else these words appear

“Beelzebub” Greek G954 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
  • Matthew 12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
  • Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

“judges” Greek G2923 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
  • Luke 18:6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
  • 2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

“devils” Greek G1140 · used in 52 verses

  • Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
  • Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
  • Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.

“out” Greek G1544 · used in 76 verses

  • Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
  • Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
  • Luke 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.