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

MATTHEW 12:27KJV
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Matthew 12:27 (KJV)

What does Matthew 12:27 mean?

Matthew 12:27 records Jesus challenging His critics by asking, “If I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.” Jesus points out the inconsistency in the accusation that He uses evil power to drive out demons, since some Jews also practiced exorcism and were not accused in the same way.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, who had accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub (a name used for a chief demon or Satan). Jesus highlights that their own people (“your children”) also cast out demons, so if His power is suspect, theirs should be as well. This exposes the unfairness and bias in their accusation, and Jesus says their own exorcists will be witnesses against them.

The Greek behind Matthew 12:27

  • Βεελζεβούλ (Beelzeboul): This Greek word refers to a figure associated with evil, often understood as a name for Satan or a chief demon. Its use here shows the seriousness of the accusation against Jesus.
  • υἱοί (huioi): Translated as “children,” this word can mean literal children or, more broadly, followers or members of the same group. Here, it likely refers to other Jews who practiced exorcism, not necessarily the Pharisees’ biological children.
  • κριταί (kritai): This word means “judges.” Jesus is saying that these other exorcists will serve as evidence or witnesses, highlighting the inconsistency of the Pharisees’ logic.

Why Matthew 12:27 matters

  • Matthew 12:27 clarifies that Jesus is not the only one performing exorcisms; others among the Jews did so without facing the same accusations, revealing the Pharisees’ double standard.
  • This verse emphasizes Jesus’ skillful use of logic to turn the Pharisees’ argument back on them, showing that their charge against Him does not hold up.
  • The verse connects to the larger passage, where Jesus is defending His authority and the source of His power, and it sets up His further teaching about the kingdom of God and the danger of attributing God’s work to evil.

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?
  • Mark 3:22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
  • Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.

“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 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
  • Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

“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 1:34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
  • 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.