Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 11:15

"But some of them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casteth he out demons." — Luke 11:15 (ASV)

The setting of this account of the Beelzebub controversy is the healing of a deaf mute. Such a healing was among the signs of his messiahship that Jesus had reminded John the Baptist of (7:22). Once more (cf. 4:36 et al.) the crowds are amazed at Jesus’ power over demons. The crowd is divided, however, between those who either oppose him outrightly by attributing his power to the head demon, “Beelzebub,” a euphemism for Satan (see comment on Mt 10:25), or taunt him to give them an even more dramatic sign (which constitutes a “testing” or provocation; see comment on vv.29–30).