Matthew 12:29-30
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This isn't just a general illustration; Jesus is pointing to a specific enemy: Satan himself, and the "goods" are the people held captive by him. The most striking part is the subtle implication that by casting out the demon, Jesus has already "bound the strong man," proving his superior power and victory over Satan's dominion.
Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, Jesus had cast out a demon from a man who was blind and mute, a powerful display of God's kingdom. The Pharisees, witnessing this miracle, accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, Satan's chief prince. Jesus then poses this analogy to expose the illogic of their accusation: he's not an ally of Satan, but his conqueror, demonstrating that God's power has indeed invaded Satan's domain.
When Jesus confronts demonic powers, who is the 'strong man' he's talking about? And what exactly are his 'goods'?
Jesus uses a vivid illustration here: no one can just waltz into a fortified house and steal things. They have to first overpower the owner, the 'strong man.'
If Jesus is the one doing the freeing, how does that relate to Satan being 'bound'?
The core of Jesus' argument is this: my ability to cast out demons is proof that I have already overpowered Satan.
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Understand the original words
ischyros · Greek Adjective
One who possesses superior authority or power; in this context, it refers to Satan’s domain over the fallen world, which must be overcome by the greater power of Christ.
deō · Greek Verb
To restrain, incapacitate, or deprive someone of their ability to act; used here to describe Christ’s authoritative victory over Satan.
synagō · Greek Verb
In the context of the kingdom of God, this refers to the gathering of God’s people into His fold or the faithful stewardship of souls for the sake of the Gospel.
skorpizō · Greek Verb
The act of causing division, disruption, or destruction of the work of God; the opposite of gathering for Christ.
Jesus uses this powerful metaphor to explain that His ability to cast out demons isn't a sign of alliance with Satan, but proof that He, the stronger one, has come to defeat him and liberate those held captive.
c. 1500 BC
Israel's Exodus from Egypt
God delivers Israel from slavery in Egypt, marking a foundational act of God liberating people from oppressive powers.
c. 8th Century BC
Isaiah Prophesies Deliverance
Isaiah speaks of a powerful deliverer who will rescue captives and spoil the goods of the mighty, a prophecy understood to point toward future Messianic work.
Early 1st Century AD
Jesus Begins Public Ministry
Jesus starts teaching, healing, and casting out demons, presenting Himself as a powerful force challenging Satan's dominion.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus Casts Out Demons
In this specific encounter, Jesus casts out a demon from a man, leading the Pharisees to accuse Him of using Beelzebul, the prince of demons.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Christ's death and resurrection are seen as the ultimate act of binding Satan and overcoming the powers of sin and death.
Mid 1st Century AD
Gospel Spreads Throughout Roman Empire
The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, continue to cast out demons and preach the gospel, advancing God's kingdom and disarming Satan's influence.
This Old Testament passage speaks of a powerful enemy holding captives, with God promising to rescue them and bring judgment on the enemy, directly paralleling the idea of a 'strong man' holding people and Christ's power to free them.
Luke 11:21-22This parallel account provides a more detailed version of the same analogy, explicitly mentioning a 'strong man armed' whose domain is invaded and possessions taken, which sheds further light on the imagery of Christ's power over Satan.
Colossians 2:15This New Testament passage describes Christ disarming the 'rulers and authorities' and triumphing over them, which is a direct theological explanation of how Christ 'bound the strong man' and spoiled his goods.
1 John 3:8This verse clearly states that the reason the Son of God appeared was to 'destroy the works of the devil,' which is the ultimate purpose and outcome of Christ's action described in the analogy of binding the strong man.
barnesMatthew 12:29: "Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house."
Or else ... - The Saviour makes use of a new illustration to confute the Pharisees, drawn from breaking into a house. A man could not break into the house of a strong man and take his property unless he had rendered the man himself helpless. If he had taken his goods, it would therefore be sufficient proof that he had bound the man. So…
vincentMatthew 12:29: "Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house."
Of a strong man (τοῦ ἰσχυροῦ)Rev. rightly gives the force of the article, the strong man. Christ is not citing a general illustration, but is pointing to a specific enemy - Satan. How can I despoil Satan without first having conquered him?Goods (σκεύη)The word originally means a vessel, and so mostly in the New Testament. See Mark…
This isn't just a general illustration; Jesus is pointing to a specific enemy: Satan himself, and the "goods" are the people held captive by him. The most striking part is the subtle implication that by casting out the demon, Jesus has already "bound the strong man," proving his superior power and victory over Satan's dominion.
Just before this, Jesus had cast out a demon from a man who was blind and mute, a powerful display of God's kingdom. The Pharisees, witnessing this miracle, accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, Satan's chief prince. Jesus then poses this analogy to expose the illogic of their accusation: he's not an ally of Satan, but his conqueror, demonstrating that God's power has indeed invaded Satan's domain.
Just before this, Jesus had cast out a demon from a man who was blind and mute, a powerful display of God's kingdom. The Pharisees, witnessing this miracle, accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, Satan's chief prince. Jesus then poses this analogy to expose the illogic of their accusation: he's not an ally of Satan, but his conqueror, demonstrating that God's power has indeed invaded Satan's domain.
"Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." — This isn't just a general illustration; Jesus is pointing to a specific enemy: Satan himself, and the "goods" are the people held captive by him. The most striking part is the subtle implication that…
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Last reviewed October 2026
