<p>12:26&nbsp;<em>And if Satan-</em>&nbsp;Mark adds that the Lord spoke all this &quot;in parables&quot; (Mk. 3:23). 'Satan' was a parable and is being used here in a non-literal sense. The Lord reasons with them on their own ground, assuming for a moment that their wrong ideas were true- hence &quot;<em>if</em>&nbsp;Satan...&quot;. The one who cast out Satan / demons was of course Jesus personally. Their false logic and theology had led them to label a good man as Satan just because He did a good work of healing. So quickly, false logic and theology drives jealous people along a path of demonization, negative labelling of others and religious hatred.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Casts out Satan-</em>&nbsp;But the argument is about casting out of&nbsp;<em>demons</em>&nbsp;(:27). One thing we learn from this use of language is that beliefs about 'Satan', demons and the casting out of demons were very vague and poorly defined. And that is how it is to this day with those who believe in the literal existence of 'Satan' and demons. When pressed for definition and a more connected theology, they flounder.</p>
<p><em>He is divided against himself. How then shall his kingdom stand?-&nbsp;</em>Ez. 17:14 uses this language about how Old Testament kingdom of Judah no longer 'stood' because of their disobedience. The true Kingdom of God would 'stand' for ever (Dan. 2:44). The Lord may be hinting that Israel was no longer God's Kingdom and was in fact therefore Satan's kingdom- for the true Kingdom of God would always stand. It is Satan's Kingdom which falls, not God's.</p>