Q: #420. Who is Beelzebub?

     A: The name Beelzebub is mentioned 7 times in the New Testament: (Mt 10:25)(Mt 12:24,27)(Mk 3:22)(Lk 11:15,18-19). We can clearly see from (Mt 12:24-27) that the name Beelzebub is being associated with Satan:

“But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not CAST OUT DEVILS, BUT BY BEELZEBUB THE PRINCE OF THE DEVILS. (25) And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: (26) And IF SATAN IS CAST OUT BY SATAN, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? (27) And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.” (Also see Mk 3:22-26, Lk 11:15-19) (Caps emphasis mine)

     The Pharisees were accusing Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan (Beelzebub)! Of course, Jesus points out the ridiculousness of this accusation: Why would Satan give Jesus the power to cast himself out?? In (Mt 10:25), we see that Jesus was even accused of being Satan (Beelzebub) himself.

     It is believed by most scholars that the term “Beelzebub” comes from the Philistine idol god from the city of Ekron named “Baal-zebub” (meaning “lord of the flies”), who is mentioned in (2 Kings Ch 1) of the Old Testament. It is said that over time, this name came to be associated with Satan.

     After this exchange, Jesus accused the Pharisees of “Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit,” which I explain here.

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