14 Jesus forced a demon out of a man who could not talk. And after the demon had gone out, the man started speaking, and the crowds were amazed.
15 But some people said, “He forces out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons!”
16 Others wanted to put Jesus to the test. So they asked him to show them a sign from God.
17 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said:A kingdom where people fight each other will end up in ruin. And a family that fights will break up.
18 If Satan fights against himself, how can his kingdom last? Yet you say that I force out demons by the power of Beelzebul.
19 If I use his power to force out demons, whose power do your own followers use to force them out? They are the ones who will judge you.
20 But if I use God's power to force out demons, it proves that God's kingdom has already come to you.