Matthew 12:44

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Then it says [to itself], I will return to my house which I came out of [i.e., the body of the person it dominated]. But when it returns [to that body] it finds it empty, cleaned out and [newly] decorated.

Cross References

Matthew 12:29

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.

Matthew 12:43

But when an evil spirit has been driven out of a person, it roams through desert regions trying to find rest but cannot find it.

Matthew 12:45

Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits, more evil than itself, and they reenter [the body] and [begin to] live there, so that the latter state of that person becomes worse than the former [state]. It will be the same way with the people of this evil generation.”

Luke 11:25

But when it returns [to that body] it finds it cleaned out and [newly] decorated.

John 12:6

Now he did not say this because he cared about poor people, but because he was in charge of the money bag, and being a thief, he used to steal from it.

John 13:2

The devil had already filled the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, with the desire to turn Jesus over [i.e., to the Jewish authorities]. During the [Passover] meal,

John 13:27

Then after [he ate] the piece of bread, Satan entered Judas’ heart. So, Jesus said to him, “Do what you are going to do, and do it quickly.”

1 Corinthians 11:19

For it is to be expected [i.e., it is inevitable] that there would be dissensions among you, so that those who are approved [by God] can become known among you.

Ephesians 2:2

You practiced such things when you lived according to the evil ways of this world, and according to the ruler of the [spiritual] powers of the air. [Note: This refers to Satan, whose influence permeates life around us]. He is the [evil] spirit who is now at work in people who are disobedient [to God].

1 John 2:19

These antichrists left our group [i.e., withdrew their fellowship from us], but they were not [really a part] of us, for if they had been, they would have continued [to participate] with us. But, by their leaving us, it proved that none of them were [really] a part of our group [after all].

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].