A Year in Luke/ActsNäide

In this section, Jesus highlights a few different, important ideas. People question and accuse Jesus of performing miracles by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons. He first makes it clear in Luke 11:17-18, that if Satan were working against himself, his kingdom would fall, being split down the middle.

Then he says in Luke 11:20, “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

The phrase “by the finger of God” is the same as that in Exodus 8:19 where Moses did powerful works in Pharaoh’s court and the magicians could not copy. It was only by God’s power and authority Jesus did his works. The same God of the Exodus is still alive and at work among them! And the same power that Jesus used to cast out demons is the same power that he used to defeat death itself by his death and resurrection! The healing itself pointed to a greater picture of the kingdom Jesus was bringing to Israel and the world.