Luke 11 14-23 Analysis

Karon Singleton

In Luke 11:14-23, Luke is once again highlighting and exploring the healing power of Jesus, but placing more emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit and how He is solely responsible for the works of Christ, particularly the casting out of demons.

According to the McArthur Study Bible, which was written by John McArthur, the book of Luke was written by Luke, following the same pattern as the other 3 gospels which are named after the actual author. McArthur also continues to explain how Luke is a frequent companion of the Apostle Paul. Although very little is known about Luke, due to Luke almost never including personal details about himself, the Apostle Paul referred to him as a physician. Due to Luke’s interest and familiarity with medical phenomena, he truly takes a keener

attentiveness to Jesus’ healing ministry.
This supposition of Luke being associated with the medical field is particularly interesting when exploring the passage, Luke 11:14-23, because it starts off with Jesus healing a man who cannot speak. The most interesting part is that this man is not healed in the natural sense through medical phenomena, but by the Spirit, wherein Jesus cast out a mute demonic spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit. This puts the emphasis on the power of God and not on the works of man. It is also important to know that the gospel of Luke was written in a way that focused more on Jesus the man, thus placing more prominence on the power of God, by the way of His Spirit.
As we take a look at the scripture, we have a mute demon who has prevented this man from being able to speak.

It doesn’t specify the length of time this man had to endure the agony of not being able to speak, but one could imagine that it definitely caused a lot of strain on his life. We can also assume that this man sought medical attention for his dilemma and no one was able to help from a medical perspective. Now, here comes Jesus, and in a moment’s time, the man is able to speak. This passage is also shared in the gospel of Matthew, where Matthew says that the man was unable to see and speak (Matt 12:22). Clearly, with the varying statements of this man’s specific ailment and limitations, the emphasis is not on these elements, but on the fact that a spirit, which had no place in his body, was cast out of his body by Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, thus returning to him the ability to speak. Even after seeing Jesus cast out this demon, thus allowing this man to speak, there were some who claimed that it was the power of Beelzebub, ruler of the demons, that allowed Jesus to cast the demon out. In Matthew 12:24, these people were identified as the

Pharisees.
Now we have people who are looking to test Jesus and have Him prove Himself. Even after experiencing and witnessing the miracle that he just performed, they are still looking for another sign from Heaven. First, we see that Jesus already know the thoughts and, should we say, the intentions of these people who were testing Him. Therefore, when he responds with his statement, “Every kingdom divided…,” his response is based on their intentions versus the actual questions and statements they present. The whole intention of this group of people, who didn’t believe it was the power of the Holy Spirit that cast out the mute demon, or perhaps knew that it was indeed the Holy Spirit, but just didn’t not want to give Jesus any credit, was to try and expose Jesus and make him look bad. In regards to Jesus’ statement and response, He is simply saying that people who are divided and against each other, under the same kingdom, will simply lead to the destruction and demise of said kingdom. In verses 18-23, Jesus is making it clear that there are only two sides of the spectrum, the enemy, in the form of satan, and God, in the form of Jesus, by way of the Holy Spirit. There is no way that satan would cast out his own spirit, and likewise, there is no way God would cast out His own spirit. Jesus is making a point to identify key elements that can be used to determine which side someone is on. Verse 23 clearly states that, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” So, it is perfectly clear that you are either with Jesus or against Him. And if you are against Him, then you are against God. The fact that the Pharisees did not give credit to the Holy Spirit, and in fact, disrespected the Holy Spirit by giving credit to the ruler of the demons, Beelzebub, for such a miracle. This was the ultimate offense to God, which Jesus speaks about in the gospel of Matthew 12:31-32. In this verse, Jesus tells the Pharisees that they can be forgiven of every sin and every blasphemy, all except the blasphemy against the Spirit. This really shows the immense importance that God places on ones treatment of the Holy Spirit.
One key principle that this text provides on evangelism and spiritual warfare is that a person, particularly someone that is evangelizing, should never let the adverse, negative reaction from their audience deter or discourage them from the ultimate goal of spreading the gospel and winning souls. In 2 Timothy 4:5, it says that we ought to endure afflictions and do the work of an evangelist. It is not by accident that the enduring afflictions falls before the work that we must do as an evangelist. Right here in Luke 11:14-23, Jesus is faced with adversity even though he has just performed a miracle right before the eyes of the people. They even go as far as accusing Jesus of working for the enemy in casting out the demons. However, even in the midst of persecution, Jesus stands firm on His beliefs and begins to teach the people the truth about God. If Jesus would have gotten discouraged after they first questioned Him, then the people would not have heard the Word from the Lord, the truth that will set them free and make their path in life straight.
Another key principle which is displayed in this verse is the act of proclaiming and demonstrating the gospel. Jesus began with the demonstration, which drew the people’s attention, and set Him up for the proclamation. In Matthew 5:14-16, the Word says that we ought to let our light shine for all men to see so that they will begin to glorify God. Jesus is clearly placing Himself in a position where His light will be seen by the masses. What better way is there to have your light shining from a lampstand than by demonstrating something that will cause people jaws to drop in astonishment? This was clearly an act designed by God that most likely caused those who did not believe in God, to actually believe in Him wholeheartedly.
The first principle is a very crucial one for me in which I find myself not as Jesus did by overcoming the adversity, but more so being discouraged, and not even attempting to evangelize because of the delusional, foreseen persecution that I will have to endure. I sometimes psyche myself out before I am even in the game. The importance of overcoming adversity is so vital to the spreading of the gospel because the enemy is always going to try and stop me by any means necessary. If I am not able to push forward, through the adverse walls of suffering and afflictions, then those who God is sending me to will not get what God is trying to give them. We must bear our cross just as Jesus did and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to have full reign in our lives. I have definitely made some significant strides in this area, but completely understand that there is still a lot of work to be done because there is still a lot of people who need to witness the power and glory of God. In regard to the second principle of both demonstrating and proclaiming the gospel, I am definitely more of a demonstrator then a proclaimer. I am one to try and show someone how it is done as opposed to verbally communicating and expressing the gospel. However, through this class and especially with my new roll in our local church as the Pastoral Care Director, my ability to verbally express myself is vital, and just as important as demonstrating through good works. Communication is very crucial when caring for the man of God, as I had come to find out through various situation, and I have had to evolve into a better speaker and verbal communicator. However, in working on these elements, I have found a new confidence in Christ where I can speak boldly regarding the gospel. This new found confidence has allowed me to witness to more and more people with each moment that is presented to me. Now, I am in no way an evangelizing machine, but I can surely say that I have improved vastly in the evangelizing area.