Whose Exorcists are They? The Referents of οί υίοί ύμΏν at Matthew 12.27/Luke 11.19

Abstract

In the Beelzebul controversy Jesus said, 'But if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out?' (Mt. 12.27/Lk. 11.19). The consensus among modem interpreters is that the phrase 'your sons' refers to unknown Jewish exorcists associated with the Pharisees. Significant textual and logical problems are associated with the modem view. The consensus among ancient interpreters was that Jesus was referring to his own disciples. By speaking in this way he was challenging his accusers to repent and pointing to their culpability if they refused to do so. The ancient view is defended by appeal to (1) the narrative context, (2) the meaning of 'sons', (3) the rhetorical force of the pronoun 'your', (4) the promise of judgment and (5) the resultant logic and coherence of the passage.