Luke 11:15

15 but some of them said, “It is by Beelzebul, ^[a] the prince of the demons, that He drives out demons.”

Luke 11:15 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 11:15

But some of them said
The Pharisees, ( Matthew 9:34 ) ( Matthew 12:24 ) who could not bear that he should be thought to be the Messiah, and therefore put an ill construction on the miracle:

he casteth out devils through Beelzebub, the chief of devils;
in several copies he is called Beelzebul, and in the Arabic and Ethiopic versions; which last adds these words, "and he answered and said, how can Satan cast out Satan?" (See Gill on Matthew 12:20).

Luke 11:15 In-Context

13 So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

14 One day Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. And when the demon was gone, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowds were amazed,

15 but some of them said, “It is by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons, that He drives out demons.”

16 And others tested Him by demanding a sign from heaven.

17 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall.

Footnotes

• [a]. WH Beezeboul; Vulgate Beelzebub; also in verses 18 and 19