King James Version

What Does Luke 11:26 Mean?

Luke 11:26 in the King James Version says “Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and t... — study this verse from Luke chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

Luke 11:26 · KJV


Context

24

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

25

And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

26

Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

27

And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

28

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself. The returning demon, finding the house empty despite being clean, recruits reinforcements—"seven other spirits" (ἑπτὰ ἕτερα πνεύματα, hepta hetera pneumata), a number suggesting completeness or fullness. These are "more wicked than himself" (πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ, ponērotera heautou)—escalating malevolence and destructive power. The collective invasion represents intensified spiritual bondage.

And they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. The multiple demons "enter in, and dwell there" (εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ, eiselthonta katoikei ekei)—permanent residence, not temporary visit. The conclusion is devastating: "the last state of that man is worse than the first" (γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου χείρονα τῶν πρώτων, ginetai ta eschata tou anthrōpou ekeinou cheirona tōn prōtōn). Seven demons are exponentially worse than one. This warns that religious reformation without genuine conversion can lead to greater hardness and deeper bondage. The person who tastes deliverance but fails to commit fully to Christ becomes more resistant to truth, more entrenched in sin, and more vulnerable to deception. Hebrews 6:4-6 and 2 Peter 2:20-22 describe similar danger.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This warning applied prophetically to Israel, which had experienced God's deliverance from Egyptian bondage and received the Law, yet repeatedly fell into idolatry and rebellion. By Jesus' day, Israel had been 'swept clean' of overt idolatry (the exile cured that) but was filled with dead religion and hypocrisy. Their rejection of Messiah would lead to far worse judgment—the 70 AD destruction exceeded previous calamities. The principle extends to any individual or nation that experiences God's grace but refuses full surrender, resulting in greater hardness and judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the escalation from one demon to eight demonstrate the progressive nature of spiritual bondage when grace is resisted?
  2. What does this passage teach about the necessity of not only turning from sin but turning to Christ in saving faith?
  3. In what ways might someone experience initial spiritual 'deliverance' through religion or morality but end up in worse spiritual condition by never truly coming to Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
τότε1 of 23

Then

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

πορεύεται2 of 23

goeth he

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

καὶ3 of 23

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παραλαμβάνει4 of 23

taketh

G3880

to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn

ἑπτά5 of 23

to him seven

G2033

seven

ἕτερα6 of 23

other

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

πνεύματα7 of 23

spirits

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

πονηρότερα8 of 23
G4190

hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455

ἑαυτοῦ9 of 23

than himself

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

καὶ10 of 23

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰσελθόντα11 of 23

they enter in

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

κατοικεῖ12 of 23

and dwell

G2730

to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)

ἐκεῖ·13 of 23

there

G1563

there; by extension, thither

καὶ14 of 23

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

γίνεται15 of 23

is

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

τὰ16 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔσχατα17 of 23

the last

G2078

farthest, final (of place or time)

τοῦ18 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου19 of 23

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐκείνου20 of 23

state of that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

χείρονα21 of 23

worse

G5501

from an obsolete equivalent ????? (of uncertain derivation); more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally)

τῶν22 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρώτων23 of 23

than the first

G4413

foremost (in time, place, order or importance)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 11:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 11:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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