Matthew 12:45
43 When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order.
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.”
46 While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him.
47 Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.”
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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.”
- KJV
- Then goeth he, and taketh with himself 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. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
- WEB
- Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.”
- ASV
- Then goeth he, and taketh with himself 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. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.
- DARBY
- Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits worse than himself, and entering in, they dwell there; and the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. Thus shall it be to this wicked generation also.
- BLB
- Then it goes and takes along with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and having entered, they dwell there; and the last of that man becomes worse than the first. So also will it be to this evil generation.”
- 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 mennesket ender opp i en verre situasjon enn han var i til å begynne med. Slik skal det også gå denne onde generasjonen.»
- OTB
- Da går den og tar med seg syv andre ånder, mer onde enn den selv, og de går inn og bor der. Og den siste tilstanden til det mennesket blir verre enn den første. Slik skal det være med denne onde generasjonen.»
- 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. Således skal det også gå denne onde slekt.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Luke 11:26
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.”
Read in contextHebrews 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 contextMark 5:9
“What is your name?” Jesus asked. “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”
Read in contextHebrews 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 context2 Peter 2:14–22
Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.
Read in contextMark 16:9
Early on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons.
Read in contextJohn 15:22–24
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
Read in contextJude 1:10–13
These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively.
Read in context