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This IMPERFECT CHIASM about casting out demons is followed by a PARALLEL SYMMETRY SUBSTRUCTURE that describes the return of those demons.
1) For verses 14 and 20, Jesus announced in the FIRST/LAST elements that the kingdom of God is now here, not some future moment. He did that by correlating the removal of demons (casting out) with the announced time of His time on earth.
2) The lack of text in the C′ element points to the EXTRA C element—they were continuing to demand a sign from heaven. See also verse 29.
3) The CENTER POINT in verses 17 and 18A refer to the defeat of the devil because that kingdom of God has come.
4) The CLOSING SUMMARY, verses 21 to 26 which are a parallel symmetry substructure, has caused considerable differences of interpretation, possibly because it is so terse. What is clear is that a demon was cast out (verse 24A); what is not clear is the circumstance by which the seven demons return. The LAST/LAST elements of the substructure, d and d′, seem to say that if the house is now unguarded house, it can be overrun with seven demons. Therefore all things must be in place so that seven more do not enter.
5) The x CENTER POINT, verse 23, seems to say that all of the guards for the house must be with Christ. If even one is not with Him, the effect is a scattering. Otherwise, the SUBSTRUCTURE SUMMARY in verse 26B states that it will be even worse than before.
6) The emphasis in verse 24B, the EXTRA b′ element, can be attributed to the lack of text in the b element. That is, the unclean spirit hopes to find the house unguarded.
CHIASM (IMPERFECT):
... if a demon is cast out, make sure the house is well guarded else it will return ...
a change of scene
BEGINNING MARKER: And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute; (v14A)
Jesus cast out a demon; the crowds wondered about the meaning
A
when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed. (v14B)
they accused Jesus of using Beelzebul
B
But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” (v15)
EXTRA: other accusers implored Jesus for a sign
C
Others, to test Him, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven. (v16)
a house divided will fall
D
But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls. (v17)
satan′s house will not stand
D′
“If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? (v18A)
no text
C′
Jesus accused their sons as evidence of Beelzebul
B′
“For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? So they will be your judges. (v18B,19)
by Jesus casting out demons, the kingdom of God is here
A′
“But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (v20)
CLOSING SUMMARY:
SUM
PARALLEL SYMMETRY SUBSTRUCTURE: ... when a demon is cast out, make sure the house is now guarded ... Show Hide
a strong man guards his house
a
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, (v21A)
no text
b
the guarded house is undisturbed
c
his possessions are undisturbed. (v21B)
a stronger man plunders the house
d
“But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. (v22)
no middle ground: anyone not with Jesus is against Him
x
“He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters. (v23)
the strong man casts out a spirit
a′
“When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, (v24A)
EXTRA: the removed spirit intends to return to the house
b′
it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ (v24B)
that spirit finds the house unguarded
c′
“And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. (v25)
seven more spirits take over the house
d′
“Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; (v26A)
SUBSTRUCTURE SUMMARY: the overpowered house becomes even worse
sum
and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” (v26B)