Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Mark 3:27

οὐ δύναται οὐδείς. See on Mark 1:44; neither here nor there is there a double neg. in Mt. This is a fourth παραβολή, but it is not parallel to the other three. It shows that, so far from being Satan’s agent, He is an enemy who is conquering him by driving out his agents. The picture comes from Isaiah 49:25, where Jehovah says “Even the captives of the strong one shall be taken away,” because the stronger than he has come, a saying which may have been proverbial.

τὴν οἰκίαν τοῦ ἰσχυροῦ. The world is Satan’s home, and he and his demons are the household. See on τῷ ἄρχοντι, Mark 3:22, and cf. Ephesians 6:12.

εἰσελθών. This Christ did at the Incarnation.

τὰ σκεύη. Like vasa (Vulg.), a very comprehensive term. We need not interpret the σκεύη: Victor makes them mean mankind.

δήσῃ. It may be doubted whether this refers to anything so definite as the Temptation. Lk. has νικήσῃ, but he varies the picture considerably.

καὶ τότε. Again we have a somewhat superfluous statement; cf. Mark 1:32; Mark 1:42; Mark 2:23; Mark 2:25, etc. The ἰσχυρότερος deprives ὁ ἰσχυρός of his ill-gotten possessions. This seems to refer to the driving out of the demons; they are Satan’s representatives, and they are expelled from their usurped habitations. On the other hand, not even Satan can snatch (δύναται ἁρπάζειν) His sheep out of the hand of the Good Shepherd (John 10:27).

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Mark 3:27

Old Testament

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