3:26

At this point, Jesus applied what he had just said about countries and families to Satan’s rule over his followers. Jesus’ point was that Satan would not oppose himself. Therefore, when Jesus forced demons to leave people, it was not Satan who gave him the power to do it.

To say this forcefully, Jesus used an “if” followed by imaginary situation to prove that it could not be true. For some other ways to translate an imaginary situation that cannot be true, see the General Comment 3:26a–c following 3:26c.

3:26a

And: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And is a common connector. Here it connects the truth in 3:24–25 to the way Jesus compared this truth to what the teachers of the law had said about him. The Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version say:

So

It could also be translated as:

Likewise

if: The conditional word if introduces a situation that is untrue. Jesus did this in order to show the teachers of the law that what they accused him of is also untrue.

Satan is divided: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is divided is the same verb as in 3:24a and 3:25a. It refers to a situation in which Satan’s followers are opposing and fighting each other.

rises against himself: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rises against himself here indicates that Satan works against himself by fighting his own demons. It implies that the two sides were originally together and have become enemies.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

has rebelled against himself (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
fights against himself (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
fights against his own demons/spirits

3:26b–c

3:26b and 3:26c are saying the same thing. In some languages it will be more natural to combine these two statements into one. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

that will be the end of him

3:26b

he cannot stand: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cannot stand is the same word as in 3:24b and 3:25b. It means “he will not endure” or “he will not continue.” Satan will be destroyed/defeated. For example, the New Century Version says:

he cannot continue

3:26c

his end has come: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as his end has come here means “Satan’s power is destroyed/finished.” The Contemporary English Version and God’s Word say:

that will be the end of him

General Comment on 3:26a–c

Verse 3:26 is talking about something that cannot be true. In some languages it will sound more natural to translate this verse without the conditional “if.” For example:

Obviously Satan will not want to fight against his own demons and destroy his own power.
-or-
Will Satan want to destroy himself by fighting against himself? Will he force his own demons out of people? Of course not!

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