Luke 11:26

24 When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’

25 On its return, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.

Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first.”

27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!”

28 But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first.”
KJV
Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
WEB
Then he goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”
ASV
Then goeth he, and taketh [to him] seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first.
DARBY
Then he goes and takes seven other spirits worse than himself, and entering in, they dwell there; and the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first.
BLB
Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and having entered, they dwell there; and the last of that man becomes worse than the first.”
ÅB
Så går den bort og tar med seg syv andre ånder, verre enn den selv, og de går inn og bor der, og det siste blir verre med det menneske enn det første.
OTB
Så går den og tar med seg syv andre ånder, verre enn seg selv, og de går inn og bor der; og den siste tilstanden til den personen er verre enn den første."
B1930
Så går den bort og tar med sig syv andre ånder, verre enn den selv, og de går inn og bor der, og det siste blir verre med det menneske enn det første.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Peter 2:20–22

    If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.

    Read in context
  • John 5:14

    Afterward, Jesus found the man at the temple and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you.”

    Read in context
  • Zephaniah 1:6

    and those who turn back from following the LORD, neither seeking the LORD nor inquiring of Him.”

    Read in context
  • Matthew 12:45

    Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 6:4–8

    It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,

    Read in context
  • 1 John 5:16

    If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 10:26–31

    If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,

    Read in context
  • Matthew 23:15

    Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

    Read in context