Matthew 12:29

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Or, how can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man? Only then will he be able to steal [his belongings] from his house.

Cross References

Matthew 12:28

But if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] the Holy Spirit, then [that is evidence that] the kingdom of God has come into your midst [i.e., by my presence and ministry].

Matthew 12:30

The person who is not on my side is [actually] against me. And the person who does not gather [people to me] is [actually] driving them away [from me].

Mark 3:27

But no one can enter a strong man’s house and steal his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man. Only then will he be able to steal from his house.

1 John 3:8

[But] the person who continues to live a sinful life belongs to the devil, because the devil has continued to sin since the beginning [See Gen. 3]. For this is the reason that the Son of God came [into the world]; it was to destroy the works [i.e., the influence of] the devil [in people’s lives].

1 John 4:4

[But], you people are [followers] of God, little children [i.e., dear ones], and you have overcome them [i.e., these false teachers] because He who is in your lives [i.e., the Holy Spirit, See 3:24] is greater [i.e., more powerful] than he who is in [i.e., dominates] the world [i.e., Satan. See II Cor. 4:4].