Continuing the figure of battle, Jesus reminded His hearers that whoever was not on Jesus" side was on His enemy"s side. Changing the figure to reaping and herding, He made the same point again. Laborers in God"s field and among God"s flock who did not gather people as sheaves and sheep into the barn and fold of the kingdom with Jesus scattered them abroad. There was no neutral ground. People either supported Jesus or opposed Him. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Luke 11:14-26 - For Or Against?
The strong man of this parable is evidently Satan, who guards the palace of man's nature, to which he has no right. It is the palace of the King, which has been captured by His direst foe. The demon-possession of the body is a parable and illustration of the terrible results of the possession of the soul by the demons of jealousy, passion, etc. Satan is strong-stronger than Adam in his innocence or David in his palace. He is armed with the lie; is always on the watch to lull us into false security; but the peace which He gives is of death.
Thank God, Christ is stronger! In the wilderness and on the Cross He proved Himself so. He took away His foe's armor and bruised his head. When Christ takes up His residence in the heart Satan may rage outside and fling in horrid suggestions, but the door is kept closed against his return. They are to be pitied who make a reform in their own strength-Satan will return. Only Christ can work permanent deliverance. [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 11
1Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly; 11assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him 14He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees; 27and shows who are blessed; 29preaches to the people; 37and reprimands the outward show of holiness
Greek Commentary for Luke 11:23
He that is not with me [ο μη ων μετ εμου] This verse is just like Matthew 12:30. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 11:23
Luke 9:50“Against you is for you” [κατ μων υπερ μων] Mark 9:40 has “against us is for us” The Koiné Greek ē and μη κωλυετε μη ū were often pronounced alike and it was easy to interchange them. So many MSS. here read just as in Mark. The point is precisely the same as it is a proverbial saying. See a similar saying in Luke 11:23: “He that is not with me is against me.” The prohibition here as in Mark 9:39 is general: “Stop hindering him” The lesson of toleration in methods of work for Christ is needed today. [source]
1 John 2:9Hateth [μισῶν] The sharp issue is maintained here as in Christ's words, “He that is not with me is against me” (Luke 11:23). Men fall into two classes, those who are in fellowship with God, and therefore walk in light and love, and those who are not in fellowship with God, and therefore walk in darkness and hatred. “A direct opposition,” says Bengel; where love is not, there is hatred. “The heart is not empty.” See John 3:20; John 7:7; John 15:18sqq.; John 17:14. The word hate is opposed both to the love of natural affection ( φιλεῖν ), and to the more discriminating sentiment - love founded on a just estimate ( ἀγαπᾶν ). For the former see John 12:25; John 15:18,John 15:19; compare Luke 14:26. For the latter, 1 John 3:14,1 John 3:15; 1 John 4:20,Matthew 5:43; Matthew 6:24; Ephesians 5:28,Ephesians 5:29. “In the former case, hatred, which may become a moral duty, involves the subjection of an instinct. In the latter case it expresses a general determination of character” (Westcott). [source]
What do the individual words in Luke 11:23 mean?
The [one]notbeingwithMeagainstisandgatheringscatters
Greek Commentary for Luke 11:23
This verse is just like Matthew 12:30. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 11:23
Mark 9:40 has “against us is for us” The Koiné Greek ē and μη κωλυετε μη ū were often pronounced alike and it was easy to interchange them. So many MSS. here read just as in Mark. The point is precisely the same as it is a proverbial saying. See a similar saying in Luke 11:23: “He that is not with me is against me.” The prohibition here as in Mark 9:39 is general: “Stop hindering him” The lesson of toleration in methods of work for Christ is needed today. [source]
The sharp issue is maintained here as in Christ's words, “He that is not with me is against me” (Luke 11:23). Men fall into two classes, those who are in fellowship with God, and therefore walk in light and love, and those who are not in fellowship with God, and therefore walk in darkness and hatred. “A direct opposition,” says Bengel; where love is not, there is hatred. “The heart is not empty.” See John 3:20; John 7:7; John 15:18sqq.; John 17:14. The word hate is opposed both to the love of natural affection ( φιλεῖν ), and to the more discriminating sentiment - love founded on a just estimate ( ἀγαπᾶν ). For the former see John 12:25; John 15:18, John 15:19; compare Luke 14:26. For the latter, 1 John 3:14, 1 John 3:15; 1 John 4:20, Matthew 5:43; Matthew 6:24; Ephesians 5:28, Ephesians 5:29. “In the former case, hatred, which may become a moral duty, involves the subjection of an instinct. In the latter case it expresses a general determination of character” (Westcott). [source]