Luke chapter 11

vs 12

Scorpion egg perhaps? Not what Jesus meant, I think. Also, I have a feeling at least some scorpions birth their young live. Ewwww.

vs 13

Interesting that Jesus assumes the evil of humanity - almost as if we are by our natures evil! And yet that doesn't mean humans are all evil all the time! It just means we have an evil streak that doesn't go away.We are still able to do good things, like giving to our children. But of course, God is by his nature good - so when he does the same by giving us the Holy Spirit, how much more awesome is it going to be!

vs 14

The language seems to suggest that the demon was mute. Sucks to be a demon that can't speak! Anyway, apparently the guy who had it couldn't speak either, and so when Jesus ixnayed the demon, he could speak again, and everyone was amazed. Certainly faster than speech therapy.

vs 15

Which sounds smart when you say it, but in the end doesn't make sense. However, it's not a complete whitewash here. They do have an argument - after all, the antichrist will apparently do miracles and stuff too - will he heal? Raise people from the dead? Drive out demons? Wouldn't it be easy for the antichrist to make an impact by telling demons "Oi, get scarce, and they'll think I'm the Christ!"

vs 16

Because, you know, healing mute people isn't really good enough. Nor is anything else he's done so far, apparently.

vs 17

Now, here's the rub - if this is the case, then what Jesus is saying is that "If I am using the power of Satan to drive out Stan's minions, then that means Satan's kingdom is going to fall over and die." But it is! So now what?

vs 18

I think the point is that if Satan's strongholds are that weak and lame that he goes around knocking them down himself, then why does Satan still seem to have such a strong hold on humanity? Surely everyone would be much less tempted? Surely he would have dried up and blown away by now?

vs 19

Oooh, burn! It's not a fabulous argument, because they could turn around and say "We do it by God, you do it by demons". Instead, Jesus may well be saying "Go and ask your people who drive out demons, because they're the experts - and they will tell you the demons are just as driven out when I do it as when they do it."

vs 20

And here's the answer to those asking for a sign - I am driving out demons! I can do it to any demon you bring in front of me! Smackdown!

So they're being forced to make a decision - if they believe he's driving out demons by Satan's power, then they need to work out a way of determining that with assurity. Otherwise, it is entirely probable that he is usshering in the Kingdom, and they should therefore listen to him.

Remember, this argument did not convince the teachers of the Law! It might have convinced others.

vs 21

Safer than if the house was empty, for sure.

vs 22

And then the strongman says, "Oh, snap!" Because strong men are beaten by stronger men. Everyone knows that.