Healing the crowd
15 Jesus knew what they intended to do, so he went away from there. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all.
16
But he ordered them not to spread the word about him,
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so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
18
Look, my Servant whom I chose, the one I love, in whom I find great pleasure. I'll put my Spirit upon him, and he'll announce judgment to the Gentiles.
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He won't argue or shout, and nobody will hear his voice in the streets.
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He won't break a bent stalk, and he won't snuff out a smoldering wick, until he makes justice win.
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And the Gentiles will put their hope in his name.
22
They brought to Jesus a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak. Jesus healed him so that he could both speak and see.
23
All the crowds were amazed and said, "This man couldn't be the Son of David, could he?"
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When the Pharisees heard, they said, "This man throws out demons only by the authority of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons."
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Because Jesus knew what they were thinking, he replied,
“Every kingdom involved in civil war becomes a wasteland. Every city or house torn apart by divisions will collapse.
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If Satan throws out Satan, he is at war with himself. How then can his kingdom endure?
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And if I throw out demons by the authority of Beelzebul, then by whose authority do your followers throw them out? Therefore, they will be your judges.
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But if I throw out demons by the power of God's Spirit, then God's kingdom has already overtaken you.
29
Can people go into a house that belongs to a strong man and steal his possessions, unless they first tie up the strong man? Then they can rob his house.
30
Whoever isn't with me is against me, and whoever doesn't gather with me scatters.