Imagine a fortress, heavily guarded and impenetrable. What does this picture tell us about the enemy we face and the lives he holds captive?
Jesus uses a vivid image here: a 'strong man, fully armed,' guarding his own palace. This isn't just any guard; he's described as 'strong' and 'fully armed' – meaning equipped from head to toe. His domain, his 'palace' or 'courtyard,' is secure.
In the context of Jesus' ministry, this 'strong man' is understood to be Satan. His 'palace' is the world, and particularly, the lives of those under his dominion – especially those possessed or controlled by evil.
Before Jesus' powerful intervention, Satan's hold was like this well-guarded fortress. His 'goods' – the people he claimed – were 'safe' in his possession, meaning they were secure from God's rescue, not necessarily at peace within themselves. This security, however, was a dangerous illusion, a deceptive peace built on bondage.
