What Does Matthew 12:26 Mean?

What is The Meaning of Matthew 12:26?

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus makes a rather confusing statement. "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?" (Matthew 12:26 NASB1995). The context of the passage begins with a demon-possessed man who was brought to Jesus. Jesus healed them and the people became amazed (Matthew 12:22-24). "But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons," (Matthew 12:27 NASB1995). The Pharisees claim Jesus uses the power of demons to cast out other demons.

Jesus responds stating that any group will fall if they are divided. If Satan casts out Satan, how will his kingdom stand (Matthew 12:25-26)? Yet, what does this passage mean?

Dr. Gill clarifies this writing: "he is divided against himself; he acts contrary to his own interest, which is to keep possession of the bodies and souls of men; and consequently it must, in course, be subversive of his power and dominion: how shall then his kingdom stand? he will never be able to maintain his authority, and keep up the show of a government, as he does: for these words suggest, that there is a form of government among the devils, who are united in one body, under one head; and whose unity and concord are their greatest strength, as in all other governments," (Gill). The point is that Jesus is asking how can he possibly be aligned with Satan if he is acting in a manner that is destructive of Satan's kingdom. 

Works Cited:

Jamieson, Robert, et al. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary. United States, Hendrickson Publishers, 1996.

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

Wolever, Terry. John Gill's Exposition of the Old and New Testaments: Some Background on the First Three Editions. United States, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2018.