The Parable of the Strong Man's House

The Parable of the Strong Man’s House
Text: Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21–22
Opening: A House, a Guard, and a Greater Power
Jesus sketches a scene everyone can picture. A well-armed strong man guards his house and keeps his goods secure. Then a stronger man arrives, overpowers the guard, ties him up, and carries off what he once held. With a few strokes, the Lord tells us what His ministry means. Satan claimed people as property. Jesus entered the house, subdued the guard, and began a rescue.

The Setting: Contest Over Authority
This picture comes in a moment of accusation. Jesus healed and expelled demons; critics claimed He drew power from darkness. The Lord answered with simple logic. A divided kingdom collapses. A house at war with itself cannot stand. His works revealed a different reality: the reign of God was pushing back the reign of the adversary (Matthew 12:25–28; Mark 3:23–26; Luke 11:17–20).

The Picture Explained
The strong man represents the devil. The house pictures his domain. The goods represent those he holds in bondage. The stronger man is the Lord. He enters, restrains, and plunders. That is rescue language. The Gospels show it in real time as Jesus heals, teaches truth, forgives, and frees. The wider New Testament announces what those signs pointed toward: the cross disarmed rulers and authorities (Colossians 2:15); the death of Jesus broke the one who held the power of death and freed those enslaved by fear (Hebrews 2:14–15); the Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

What This Declares About the Kingdom
This parable stands as a banner: the King has acted and His reign is at work. People once trapped in darkness receive transfer into a new realm (Colossians 1:13). Eyes once veiled open to light (Acts 26:18). The mission of Jesus is not a private improvement program. He recovers captives and forms them into a people who hear His voice and follow His commands.

Only One Allegiance
Jesus adds a clear line: “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters” (Matthew 12:30). Neutrality evaporates in the presence of this King. Allegiance shows in gathering with Him. Allegiance shows in aligning life with His word.

How the Stronger Man Continues to Plunder
The Lord plunders through the gospel preached. Minds darkened by the god of this age encounter the light of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4–6). Servants teach with patience so that opponents may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:25–26). Congregations hold forth the word of life. Every conversion, every act of repentance, every restored home, every rescued soul—these are spoils carried from a house once guarded by a strong man.

The Enemy’s Reality and Limits
Scripture speaks plainly about an adversary who prowls (1 Peter 5:8). He tempts, lies, accuses, and seeks footholds (Ephesians 4:27). He is real, yet limited. He is strong, yet surpassed. The Lord’s victory fixes the horizon. Resistance has a promise attached to it: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Guarding Your House
Luke adds an important detail: the stronger man “takes from him all his armor in which he trusted” (Luke 11:22). Disciples live in that confidence and they also keep watch. The armor of God equips believers for steady resistance—truth, righteousness, readiness, trust, salvation, Scripture, and prayerful alertness (Ephesians 6:10–18). Households guard hearts and habits. Churches guard teaching and life. A closed door to footholds preserves joy.

Words, Fruit, and Accountability
Matthew places this image alongside sober words about trees and fruit and about careless speech (Matthew 12:33–37). The Lord’s rescue produces a new kind of harvest. Hearts changed by His teaching yield good words and good deeds. Idle talk and empty religion fit the old house. Reverent speech and obedient practice fit the new one.

What This Means for Our Work
The field is crowded and the labor is clear. Carry the gospel to neighbors and nations. Stand beside those who fight long battles with temptation. Teach patiently, answer gently, correct faithfully, and pray earnestly. Every act of faithful witness participates in the Lord’s raid on the strong man’s house.

Conclusion: Stand With the Stronger One
The picture could not be plainer. A guard once felt invincible. A stronger One entered and tied him up. Choose your side. The Lord calls for builders who gather, servants who stand firm, and heralds who speak with clarity. Take your place in His rescue.

Exhaustive Sermon Outline

• Text
  • Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21–22
• Aim
  • Announce Christ’s superior power over Satan and call disciples to active allegiance, vigilant holiness, and evangelistic courage.
• Context and Flow
  • Accusation of demonic power (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15)
  • Logical reply: divided houses fall (Matthew 12:25–26)
  • Kingdom arrival signaled by expulsions (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20)
  • Parable of the strong man’s house (Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21–22)
  • Allegiance line drawn (Matthew 12:30)
  • Fruit and words accountability (Matthew 12:33–37)
• Elements of the Picture
  • Strong man = the devil (Luke 11:21)
  • House and goods = people under his sway
  • Stronger man = the Lord (Luke 11:22)
  • Binding and plundering = rescue
• Theological Bearings
  • Purpose of the Son’s coming (1 John 3:8)
  • Triumph at the cross (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14–15)
  • Transfer into the kingdom (Colossians 1:13)
  • Opening eyes and turning hearts (Acts 26:18)
• Allegiance and Mission
  • With Christ or against Him; gathering or scattering (Matthew 12:30)
  • Gospel light against blindness (2 Corinthians 4:4–6)
  • Patient teaching that frees captives (2 Timothy 2:25–26)
• Practical Warfare
  • Resist and the devil flees (James 4:7)
  • Vigilance and sobriety (1 Peter 5:8–9)
  • Armor of God for daily conflict (Ephesians 6:10–18)
  • Refuse footholds (Ephesians 4:27)
• Fruit and Speech
  • Trees known by fruit (Matthew 12:33)
  • Words reveal hearts; give account (Matthew 12:34–37)
• Congregational Applications
  • Hold fast to sound doctrine and teach it publicly and privately
  • Pray for boldness and clarity in evangelism
  • Support those emerging from bondage with patience and accountability
  • Guard homes through Scripture, wise boundaries, and steady worship
• Decisions Before Us
  • Allegiance to Christ’s rule
  • Repentance where footholds exist
  • Commitment to the work of gathering with Him

Call to Action
Align with the Stronger One today. If you need to begin in obedient faith, respond to the gospel—believe, repent, confess Christ, and be baptized into Him (Mark 16:16; Romans 10:9–10; Acts 22:16). If you belong to Him and see footholds, renounce them, seek help, and put on the whole armor of God. Choose one person this week and share the Lord’s rescue with them.

Scripture Reference List

• Parable Texts — Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21–22
• Context — Matthew 12:25–28, 30, 33–37; Mark 3:23–26; Luke 11:17–20
• Christ’s Triumph and Purpose — Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14–15; 1 John 3:8
• Kingdom Transfer and Illumination — Colossians 1:13; Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4–6
• Allegiance and Mission — Matthew 12:30; 2 Timothy 2:25–26
• Warfare and Watchfulness — James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8–9; Ephesians 4:27; Ephesians 6:10–18
• Response to the Gospel — Mark 16:16; Romans 10:9–10; Acts 22:16

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO