21
When his family heard about it, they went to get him. They said, "He's out of his mind!"
22
The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, "Beelzebul is in him," and "He forces demons out of people with the help of the ruler of demons."
23
Jesus called them together and used this illustration: "How can Satan force out Satan?
24
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last.
25
And if a household is divided against itself, that household will not last.
26
So if Satan rebels against himself and is divided, he cannot last. That will be the end of him.
27
"No one can go into a strong man's house and steal his property. First he must tie up the strong man. Then he can go through the strong man's house and steal his property.
28
"I can guarantee this truth: People will be forgiven for any sin or curse.
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But whoever curses the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He is guilty of an everlasting sin."
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Jesus said this because the scribes had said that he had an evil spirit.
31
Then his mother and his brothers arrived. They stood outside and sent someone to ask him to come out.