Matthew 12:29
New International Version
“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

New Living Translation
For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.

English Standard Version
Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.

Berean Standard Bible
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

Berean Literal Bible
Or how is anyone able to enter into the house of the strong man, and to plunder his goods, unless first he binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

King James Bible
Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

New King James Version
Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

New American Standard Bible
Or, how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

NASB 1995
“Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

NASB 1977
“Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

Legacy Standard Bible
Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

Amplified Bible
Or how can anyone go into a strong man’s house and steal his property unless he first overpowers and ties up the strong man? Then he will ransack and rob his house.

Christian Standard Bible
How can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
How can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.

American Standard Version
Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Contemporary English Version
How can anyone break into a strong man's house and steal his things, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can take everything.

English Revised Version
Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
How can anyone go into a strong man's house and steal his property? First he must tie up the strong man. Then he can go through his house and steal his property.

Good News Translation
"No one can break into a strong man's house and take away his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man; then he can plunder his house.

International Standard Version
How can someone go into a strong man's house and carry off his possessions without first tying up the strong man? Then he can ransack his house.

Majority Standard Bible
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

NET Bible
How else can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can thoroughly plunder the house.

New Heart English Bible
Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and carry off his possessions, unless he first bind the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

Webster's Bible Translation
Or else, how can one enter into a strong man's house, and seize his goods, except he shall first bind the strong man? and then he will plunder his house.

Weymouth New Testament
Again, how can any one enter the house of a strong man and carry off his goods, unless first of all he masters and secures the strong man: then he will ransack his house.

World English Bible
Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Or how is one able to go into the house of the strong man, and to snatch his goods, if first he may not bind the strong man? And then his house he will plunder.

Berean Literal Bible
Or how is anyone able to enter into the house of the strong man, and to plunder his goods, unless first he binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

Young's Literal Translation
'Or how is one able to go into the house of the strong man, and to plunder his goods, if first he may not bind the strong man? and then his house he will plunder.

Smith's Literal Translation
Or how can any one come into the house of the strong, and plunder his goods, except be first bind the strong? and then he will plunder his house.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Or how can any one enter into the house of the strong, and rifle his goods, unless he first bind the strong? and then he will rifle his house.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Or how can anyone enter into the house of a strong man, and plunder his belongings, unless he first restrains the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

New American Bible
How can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

New Revised Standard Version
Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Or, how can a man enter into a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, except he first bind the strong man, and then he plunders his house?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For how can a man enter the house of the mighty man and plunder his goods unless first he bind the mighty man? Then he may plunder his house.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Or, how can any one enter the house of the strong man and spoil his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? and then he will plunder his house.

Godbey New Testament
Or how is any one able to enter into the house of a strong man, and spoil his goods, unless he may first bind the strong man, and then he can spoil his house.

Haweis New Testament
Else how can one enter into a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, except he first bind the strong man, and then will he plunder his goods?

Mace New Testament
besides, how could any one enter into the house of a man of might to rob him of his goods, except he first master the strong man? and then indeed he might plunder his house.

Weymouth New Testament
Again, how can any one enter the house of a strong man and carry off his goods, unless first of all he masters and secures the strong man: then he will ransack his house.

Worrell New Testament
Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and seize upon his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

Worsley New Testament
Or, how can any one enter into the house of a strong man, and take away his goods, unless he first overpower the strong man? and then indeed he may strip his house.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A House Divided
28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. 30He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.…

Cross References
Mark 3:27
Indeed, no one can enter a strong man’s house to steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.

Luke 11:21-22
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure. / But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, and then he divides up his plunder.

Isaiah 49:24-25
Can the plunder be snatched from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be delivered? / Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the plunder of the tyrant will be retrieved; I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.

Colossians 2:15
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Revelation 20:2-3
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. / And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.

Hebrews 2:14
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,

1 John 3:8
The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.

Ephesians 4:8
This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”

John 12:31
Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

Psalm 68:18
You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.

1 Peter 3:22
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.

Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.


Treasury of Scripture

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Isaiah 49:24
Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Mark 3:27
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

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Matthew 12
1. Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,
3. by scripture,
9. by reason,
13. and by a miracle.
22. He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;
24. and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub,
32. he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.
36. Account shall be made of idle words.
38. He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,
46. and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.














Or how can anyone
This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, emphasizing the impossibility of the task without a specific action. The Greek word for "anyone" (τις, tis) is indefinite, suggesting that no person, regardless of strength or cunning, can achieve the task described without following the necessary steps. This sets the stage for the spiritual truth Jesus is about to convey, highlighting the need for divine intervention in spiritual warfare.

enter a strong man’s house
The "strong man" (ἰσχυρός, ischyros) symbolizes a figure of power and authority, often interpreted as Satan or demonic forces in this context. The "house" represents the domain or realm under the strong man's control. Historically, homes were fortified places, and entering one without permission implied a significant breach of security. Spiritually, this suggests the challenge of confronting evil forces entrenched in their domain.

and steal his possessions
The act of stealing (διαρπάσει, diarpasei) implies taking something of value that belongs to another. In a spiritual sense, this refers to liberating souls or reclaiming what the enemy has unlawfully taken. The possessions could symbolize people or blessings that have been held captive by evil influences. This phrase underscores the value of what is at stake in spiritual battles.

unless he first ties up the strong man
"Ties up" (δήσῃ, dēsē) indicates binding or restraining, a necessary action to neutralize the strong man's power. This reflects the need for spiritual authority and power to overcome evil. In the broader scriptural context, it suggests the authority of Christ over demonic forces, as He alone has the power to bind Satan and render him powerless.

Then he can plunder his house
"Plunder" (διαρπάσει, diarpasei) conveys the idea of taking spoils or reclaiming what was lost. The successful plundering of the house signifies victory over the strong man, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. This phrase encapsulates the ultimate goal of spiritual warfare: to reclaim and restore what rightfully belongs to God and His kingdom.

(29) How can one enter into a strong man's house.--The parable implied in the question appears in a fuller form in Luke 11:21-22. Here it will be enough to note that the "strong man" is Satan. The "house" is the region which is subject to him--i.e., either the world at large, or the spirits of individual men; the "goods" or "instruments" (comp. the "armour" of Luke 11:22) are the demons or subordinate powers of evil by which he maintains his dominion; the "binding of the strong man" is the check given to the tyranny of Satan by emancipating the possessed sufferers from their thraldom; the "spoiling of the house" implies the final victory over him.

Verse 29. - Parallel passages: Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21, 22. Mark is practically identical with Matthew. Luke ("the strong man armed," etc.) is more detailed and vivid, and is perhaps the original form of the saying. Or else; or (Revised Version); i.e. if this be not the case, that the kingdom of God is come upon you, how else do you explain what has happened, the fact of Satan's instruments being taken from him? How can one enter into a strong man's house; the house of the strong man (Revised Version). (For the article, cf. Matthew 1:23, note.) And spoil (ἁρπάσαι) his goods. Carry off his household tools and utensils (τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ). Except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. This is more than merely the conclusion. It is an emphatic statement that he will do this, yes, utterly plunder (διαρπάσει) the whole house. The interpretation of the parable is self-evident: the strong man is Satan; his vessels are those afflicted by him; the one who binds, etc., is Christ. For Christ's appearance and work, even before the Crucifixion and Resurrection, bound Satan in this respect. Observe that there is probably a tacit reference to Isaiah 49:25, which at any rate now received a fulfilment.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
How
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

can
δύναταί (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.

anyone
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

enter
εἰσελθεῖν (eiselthein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

a strong [man’s]
ἰσχυροῦ (ischyrou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2478: Strong (originally and generally of physical strength); mighty, powerful, vehement, sure. From ischus; forcible.

house
οἰκίαν (oikian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3614: From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

steal
ἁρπάσαι (harpasai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 726: To seize, snatch, obtain by robbery. From a derivative of haireomai; to seize.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

possessions,
σκεύη (skeuē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4632: A vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband).

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

{he} first
πρῶτον (prōton)
Adverb - Superlative
Strong's 4412: First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly.

ties up
δήσῃ (dēsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1210: To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

strong [man]?
ἰσχυρόν (ischyron)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2478: Strong (originally and generally of physical strength); mighty, powerful, vehement, sure. From ischus; forcible.

Then
τότε (tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

he can plunder
διαρπάσει (diarpasei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1283: To plunder, rob thoroughly. From dia and harpazo; to seize asunder, i.e. Plunder.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

house.
οἰκίαν (oikian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3614: From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family.


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