And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The scribes didn't just make one accusation; they leveled two distinct charges: that Jesus was possessed by Beelzebul, and that he was using the prince of demons to cast out other demons. This wasn't a minor slip-up in their logic, but a deliberate, two-pronged attack designed to discredit him.
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus and his disciples are so overwhelmed with crowds that they can't even eat, and his own family worries he's lost his mind. Meanwhile, religious authorities, specifically scribes from Jerusalem, arrive and, witnessing Jesus cast out demons, accuse him of being empowered by Satan himself. This accusation is a direct response to his powerful miracles, suggesting a desperate attempt to discredit his divine authority.
Why would religious leaders travel just to accuse Jesus? Their words reveal a calculated attempt to discredit Him, even when faced with undeniable power.
The scribes who arrived from Jerusalem weren't just casual observers; they were a delegation sent with a specific agenda. Their accusation – that Jesus cast out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons – was a serious charge designed to undermine His authority.
A Desperate Defense
Think about it: Jesus was performing miracles that undeniably helped people, like healing the blind and mute (as mentioned in the surrounding context). When faced with such powerful evidence of good, the scribes couldn't deny the action itself. So, they attacked the source of the power. Instead of acknowledging God at work, they twisted the narrative, suggesting Jesus was in league with the very evil He was conquering.
The Goal: Discredit Jesus
This wasn't about theological nuance; it was about maintaining their own religious and political power. If Jesus' power came from Satan, then He wasn't a divine figure, and the people shouldn't follow Him. This accusation was a way to dismiss His growing influence and preserve their control over the religious landscape.
Who was this 'Beelzebul' the scribes accused Jesus of using? This name carried significant weight and reveals a deeper understanding of the spiritual battle at play.
The scribes specifically named 'Beelzebul' and 'the prince of demons.' This wasn't just a random insult; it was a deliberate choice of title that held a dark significance.
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A Name of Contempt
'Beelzebul' is often understood as a distortion of a Philistine god's name, 'Baal-zebub,' meaning 'Lord of the Flies.' By using this name, the scribes were associating Jesus with the lowest, most contemptible forms of pagan worship and demonic power. It was a way to label Him as utterly unholy.
The Hierarchy of Evil
Referring to 'the prince of demons' implies that the scribes, like many in that era, believed in an organized hierarchy of evil spirits, with a supreme ruler. Their accusation suggested that Jesus wasn't just dealing with minor demons, but that He was operating within, or even controlled by, the highest authority in the demonic realm.
The Absurdity of the Charge
Jesus' response, which is detailed in the following verses, highlights the logical impossibility of their claim: Satan wouldn't cast out his own kingdom. The scribes' accusation was a desperate attempt to explain away the undeniable power of God by falsely attributing it to the enemy.
Understand the original words
grammateis · Greek Noun
Expert interpreters of the Mosaic Law; they were religious authorities, often functioning as legal experts and teachers of the people.
Beelzeboul · Greek Proper Noun
A name used for the devil or a chief demon; historically linked to Baal-Zebub, meaning 'lord of the flies' or 'lord of the dwelling,' representing the pinnacle of demonic power.
The scribes' accusation against Jesus reveals a deep-seated conflict between His ministry and the established religious leadership, highlighting how external pressures and differing interpretations of divine power fueled animosity.
c. 1st Century AD
Scribal Authority in Jerusalem
Jerusalem was the religious and political center of Judaism. Scribes, highly educated in the Law, held significant authority and were often sent to investigate religious movements or figures who challenged established norms.
c. 1st Century AD
Rise of Jesus' Popularity
Jesus' growing fame for teaching and performing miracles, especially exorcisms, across Galilee attracted massive crowds, causing significant disruption and drawing the attention of religious authorities.
c. 1st Century AD— this verse
Scribes Investigate Jesus in Galilee
A delegation of scribes travels from Jerusalem to Galilee, the region where Jesus was ministering, to observe His teachings and actions firsthand and to assess the nature of His ministry.
c. 1st Century AD
Accusation of Demonic Power
Upon witnessing Jesus cast out demons, the scribes, unable to deny the power they saw, attribute it to Beelzebul, the prince of demons, accusing Jesus of working through Satan's power.
This passage directly parallels Mark 3:22, with the scribes in Matthew accusing Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons.
Luke 11:15Luke's account also features the accusation that Jesus casts out demons by Beelzebul, highlighting the widespread nature of this opposition and slander against Jesus' miraculous power.
Isaiah 53:4This prophecy speaks of the Suffering Servant bearing our griefs and sorrows, offering a prophetic backdrop to the opposition Jesus faced, who was accused of evil while healing the sick and afflicted.
John 10:20Some in the crowd said Jesus was demon-possessed during His ministry, illustrating the division and misunderstanding His actions caused, even leading to accusations of being 'mad' or having 'a demon'.
1 Corinthians 2:8This verse notes that the rulers of this age did not recognize Jesus' wisdom, and its fulfillment is seen in the scribes, who, despite seeing Jesus' power, attributed it to Satan rather than God.
vincentMark 3:22: "And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils."
BeelzebubSee on Matthew 10:25.AndNot connecting two parts of one accusation, but two accusations, as is evident from the two ὅτις, which are equivalent to quotation marks.
expositorsMark 3:20-27: "And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread."
CHAPTER 3:20-27 (Mark 3:20-27)CHRIST AND BEELZEBUB "And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard it, they went out to lay hold on Him: for they said, He is beside Himself. And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the devils casteth He out the devils. And He called them unto H…
The scribes didn't just make one accusation; they leveled two distinct charges: that Jesus was possessed by Beelzebul, and that he was using the prince of demons to cast out other demons. This wasn't a minor slip-up in their logic, but a deliberate, two-pronged attack designed to discredit him.
Jesus and his disciples are so overwhelmed with crowds that they can't even eat, and his own family worries he's lost his mind. Meanwhile, religious authorities, specifically scribes from Jerusalem, arrive and, witnessing Jesus cast out demons, accuse him of being empowered by Satan himself. This accusation is a direct response to his powerful miracles, suggesting a desperate attempt to discredit his divine authority.
Jesus and his disciples are so overwhelmed with crowds that they can't even eat, and his own family worries he's lost his mind. Meanwhile, religious authorities, specifically scribes from Jerusalem, arrive and, witnessing Jesus cast out demons, accuse him of being empowered by Satan himself. This accusation is a direct response to his powerful miracles, suggesting a desperate attempt to discredit his divine authority.
"And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”" — The scribes didn't just make one accusation; they leveled two distinct charges: that Jesus was possessed by Beelzebul, and that he was using the prince of demons to cast out other demons. This wasn…
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Last reviewed October 2026