Bible Strands
Luke 11:20
But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses crowds and religious opponents who have just accused him of casting out demons by Beelzebul. He delivers this declaration immediately after turning their own logic against them in Luke 11:19.
The words — δακτύλῳ (daktulō) translates literally to "finger" and θεοῦ (theou) to "of God." The text pairs them in the phrase "by the finger of God" to identify the source of Jesus’ exorcistic authority.
The thread — The expression recalls Exodus 8:19, where magicians attribute a plague to the "finger of God." Matthew 12:28 records the identical declaration but replaces "finger" with "Spirit," while Luke 10:9 parallels the announcement that the kingdom of God is near.
Why it lands — The text states that the kingdom of God has arrived upon the listeners if Jesus’ exorcisms originate from God. Readers must determine whether to accept this claim of divine presence or continue attributing it to demonic 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 if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Cross-references
- Exodus 8:19 “This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.
- Matthew 12:28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
- Luke 10:9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’
- Matthew 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
- Luke 10:11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’
- 2 Thessalonians 1:5 All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
- Daniel 2:44 In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.
- Acts 20:25 Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.
- Acts 28:23 So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.