Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.
Parallel translations
- KJV Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
- BSB Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
- NKJV Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
- NASB Or, how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
- NLT For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus pictures himself as one who first binds the strong man, Satan, in order to plunder his house.
Overview
The exorcisms show that Satan has already been bound by a stronger one. Jesus is rescuing captives from the devil's grip, plundering his domain. This anticipates his decisive victory over Satan accomplished at the cross.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Isa 49:24Shall the plunder be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives be delivered?
- Mark 3:27But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder, unless he first binds the strong man; and then he will plunder his house.
- Luke 11:21–22“When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe.
- 1 Jn 4:4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.
- Rev 20:7–9And after the thousand years, Satan will be released from his prison,
- 1 Jn 3:8He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil.
- Isa 53:12Therefore will I give him a portion with the great, and he will divide the plunder with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was counted with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
- Rev 20:1–3I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
- Rev 12:7–10There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war.
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Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
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Original language
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