Mark 3:24
New International Version
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

New Living Translation
“A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.

English Standard Version
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Berean Standard Bible
If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand.

Berean Literal Bible
And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.

King James Bible
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

New King James Version
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

New American Standard Bible
And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

NASB 1995
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

NASB 1977
“And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Legacy Standard Bible
And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Amplified Bible
If a kingdom is divided [split into factions and rebelling] against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Christian Standard Bible
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

American Standard Version
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Contemporary English Version
A nation whose people fight each other won't last very long.

English Revised Version
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last.

Good News Translation
If a country divides itself into groups which fight each other, that country will fall apart.

International Standard Version
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Majority Standard Bible
If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand.

NET Bible
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom will not be able to stand.

New Heart English Bible
And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Weymouth New Testament
For if civil war breaks out in a kingdom, nothing can make that kingdom last;

World English Bible
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot be made to stand;

Berean Literal Bible
And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.

Young's Literal Translation
and if a kingdom against itself be divided, that kingdom cannot be made to stand;

Smith's Literal Translation
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.

New American Bible
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

New Revised Standard Version
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“For if a kingdom will be divided against itself, that kingdom will not be able to stand.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom can not stand.

Godbey New Testament
And if a kingdom may be divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand,

Haweis New Testament
Even if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand:

Mace New Testament
if a kingdom be divided against it self, that kingdom cannot last.

Weymouth New Testament
For if civil war breaks out in a kingdom, nothing can make that kingdom last;

Worrell New Testament
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Worsley New Testament
If a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A House Divided
23So Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand. 25If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand.…

Cross References
Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Luke 11:17
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall.

Isaiah 9:21
Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

1 Kings 12:16
When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home,

2 Samuel 15:10-12
Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’” / Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and they went along innocently, for they knew nothing about the matter. / While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.

Judges 9:23-57
God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully, / in order that the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers. / The leaders of Shechem set up an ambush against Abimelech on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech. ...

1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.

Galatians 5:15
But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

James 3:16
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

John 17:21
that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

1 Corinthians 3:3
for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?

Ephesians 4:3
and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Romans 16:17
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.

Proverbs 17:14
To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

Proverbs 6:19
a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.


Treasury of Scripture

And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Judges 9:23
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

Judges 12:1-6
And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire…

2 Samuel 20:1,6
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel…

Jump to Previous
Breaks Civil Destruction Divided Division Itself Kingdom Last Stand Subsist War
Jump to Next
Breaks Civil Destruction Divided Division Itself Kingdom Last Stand Subsist War
Mark 3
1. Jesus heals the withered hand,
10. and many other infirmities;
11. rebukes the unclean spirit;
13. chooses his twelve apostles;
22. convinces the blasphemy of casting out demons by Beelzebub;
31. and shows who are his brother, sister, and mother.














If a kingdom
In the biblical context, a "kingdom" often refers to a realm or domain under a sovereign ruler. In the time of Jesus, kingdoms were well-understood political entities, such as the Roman Empire or the Herodian kingdom in Judea. Theologically, the term can also refer to the Kingdom of God, a central theme in Jesus' teachings. This phrase sets the stage for a discussion on unity and division, both in earthly and spiritual realms.

is divided against itself,
Division within a kingdom implies internal conflict and strife. Historically, kingdoms that experienced internal division often faced downfall or conquest, as seen in the divided kingdom of Israel after Solomon's reign, leading to the eventual exile of both Israel and Judah. This phrase highlights the destructive nature of internal discord, which can be applied to both political entities and spiritual communities, such as the Church.

it cannot stand.
The inability to stand signifies inevitable collapse or failure. This principle is evident throughout history and scripture, where division leads to weakness and vulnerability. In a spiritual sense, Jesus uses this principle to counter accusations that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul, emphasizing that a divided kingdom, including Satan's, cannot succeed. This phrase underscores the importance of unity in the body of Christ, as echoed in Paul's letters, such as 1 Corinthians 1:10, where he urges believers to be united in mind and thought.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching about the importance of unity and the dangers of division.

2. Pharisees and Scribes
Religious leaders who often opposed Jesus and accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul.

3. Beelzebul
A name used for Satan, representing the forces of evil that Jesus is accused of being in league with.

4. The Kingdom of God
The spiritual realm over which God reigns, which Jesus is proclaiming and demonstrating through His works.

5. The House
A metaphor used by Jesus to illustrate the principle of unity and division, applicable to both kingdoms and households.
Teaching Points
Unity is Essential for Stability
Just as a divided kingdom cannot stand, so too must families, churches, and communities strive for unity to remain strong and effective.

Spiritual Warfare and Unity
Recognize that division is a tactic of the enemy to weaken the body of Christ. Believers must be vigilant in maintaining unity.

The Power of Agreement
When believers are united in purpose and prayer, they can accomplish much for the Kingdom of God.

Guard Against Division
Be aware of attitudes and actions that can cause division, such as gossip, jealousy, and pride, and actively work to promote peace and reconciliation.

Reflecting the Unity of the Trinity
As believers, we are called to reflect the unity seen in the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

a kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

is divided
μερισθῇ (meristhē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3307: From meros; to part, i.e. to apportion, bestow, share, or to disunite, differ.

against
ἐφ’ (eph’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

itself,
ἑαυτὴν (heautēn)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

[it]
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

cannot
δύναται (dynatai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

stand.
σταθῆναι (stathēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.


Links
Mark 3:24 NIV
Mark 3:24 NLT
Mark 3:24 ESV
Mark 3:24 NASB
Mark 3:24 KJV

Mark 3:24 BibleApps.com
Mark 3:24 Biblia Paralela
Mark 3:24 Chinese Bible
Mark 3:24 French Bible
Mark 3:24 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Mark 3:24 If a kingdom is divided against itself (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 3:23
Top of Page
Top of Page