Bible Strands
Luke 11:17
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to religious opponents who have just accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebul. He addresses them immediately after perceiving their internal reasoning, separate from the earlier demand for a sign in verse 16.
The words — The Greek διανοήματα (dianoēmata) translates literally as "thoughts" or "reasonings." Jesus uses εἰδὼς (eidōs), meaning "knowing," to indicate His direct awareness of their unspoken arguments.
The thread — The same logical principle appears in Matthew 12:25 and Mark 3:24–25. Isaiah 19:2 also records the pattern of internal division leading to collapse.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that internal conflict guarantees destruction, whether in a political realm or a spiritual one. A reader must apply this standard to evaluate the source of any claimed power.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
Cross-references
- Mark 3:23 So Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?
- Matthew 12:25 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
- Isaiah 19:2 “So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
- Isaiah 9:20 They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring.
- John 2:25 He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
- 2 Chronicles 10:16 When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So all the Israelites went home,
- 2 Chronicles 13:16 So the Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands.
- Matthew 9:4 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?
- Revelation 2:23 Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.