Wednesday, June 14, 2006
THE STRONG MAN
Matt. 12:29. "Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
Mark 3:27. "But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.
We return to the idea of Beelzebul, the lord of the dwelling, as this theme returns. Jesus continues to strengthen His position and offer more concrete evidence against the charges brought against Him initially.
The kingdom of God is contrasted by the word “or” in this verse to show the opposite of their initial charge to be true. This is posed in the question, “how can anyone enter the strong man's house (the lord of the dwelling = Beelzebul) and carry off his property (his kingdom; citizens/minions) unless he first binds the strong man?” The idea that is expressed here is one of strength; who is the strong man? Would the strong man be the one who enters the dwelling to carry off his property or is the strong man the individual who is all tied up?
The answer and outcome begins when he first binds the strong man (who is really the weaker), and then he will plunder his house. This has already taken place once; right before Jesus began His ministry. This was discussed in detail right after His baptism when He overcame Satan’ temptations in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). It will culminate in the resurrection when Satan’s ally, death, is defeated. Paul tells us in 1Cor. 15:50-58 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. 55. "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 56. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57. but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. This is the gospel, the good news! There is hope and it is not in vain.
Mark 3:27. "But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.
We return to the idea of Beelzebul, the lord of the dwelling, as this theme returns. Jesus continues to strengthen His position and offer more concrete evidence against the charges brought against Him initially.
The kingdom of God is contrasted by the word “or” in this verse to show the opposite of their initial charge to be true. This is posed in the question, “how can anyone enter the strong man's house (the lord of the dwelling = Beelzebul) and carry off his property (his kingdom; citizens/minions) unless he first binds the strong man?” The idea that is expressed here is one of strength; who is the strong man? Would the strong man be the one who enters the dwelling to carry off his property or is the strong man the individual who is all tied up?
The answer and outcome begins when he first binds the strong man (who is really the weaker), and then he will plunder his house. This has already taken place once; right before Jesus began His ministry. This was discussed in detail right after His baptism when He overcame Satan’ temptations in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). It will culminate in the resurrection when Satan’s ally, death, is defeated. Paul tells us in 1Cor. 15:50-58 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. 55. "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 56. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57. but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. This is the gospel, the good news! There is hope and it is not in vain.
# posted by Castusfumus : 7:13 PM
