Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 11:21

"When the strong [man] fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace:" — Luke 11:21 (ASV)

In the parable of the strong man guarding his own house, we have a principal reference to Jesus’ tactics in his war against Satan. The ultimate and actual means of Jesus’ victory is the Cross. The critical place in Jesus’ ministry of his victory over Satan means that we also must take a stand for or against Jesus as the one who brings the kingdom (v.23). Whoever does not “gather” the sheep “scatters” them by default and thus works counter to Jesus (cf. Jn 10:11-13).