117. The Casting Out of a Mute Demon; the Rebuke of the Pharisees for the Words, That He Casts Out by Beelzebul. Lk. 11:14–28

Now He was casting out a demon that was mute; and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled. But some of them said: He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. And others, testing Him, were seeking from Him a sign from heaven.

But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided house falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Yet you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub.

And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come to you.

When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own household, his possessions are in peace. But when a stronger one attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.

He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and finding none, it says: I will return to my house from which I came. And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the condition of that man becomes worse than the first.