12:28a

But: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between what the Pharisees were wrongly saying about Jesus (in 12:27a) and what is the truth (12:28a). The Berean Standard Bible shows this contrast with the conjunction But.

if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God: This clause is parallel to the clause in 12:27a.

27aif I drive out demons by Beelzebul

28aif it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons

Jesus proved his point by using an if-clause in both 12:27a (which is false), and here in 12:28a (which is true). Some languages do not use if-clauses to prove a point that is true. If that is true in your language, you may have to translate this as:

because it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons
-or-
when I force out demons by the power of God’s Spirit (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
No, it is not Beelzebul, but God’s Spirit, who gives me the power to drive out demons, which proves that (Good News Translation)

the Spirit of God: This phrase refers to the Holy Spirit. Use the same word for Spirit when translating the Spirit of God as when you translate “Holy Spirit.”

12:28b

the kingdom of God: This phrase refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It also refers to the relationship that God has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king. The phrase the kingdom of God does not refer to a land or country that he rules over.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• As a noun. For example:

the kingdom of God
-or-
God’s kingship
-or-
God’s rule over people

• As a verbal expression. For example:

the way that God rules his people
-or-
the way that God cares for his people as king

See how you translated “kingdom of God” in 6:33a. See also kingdom of heaven in the Glossary for more information.

has come upon you: This phrase means that God had already begun to rule among the people to whom Jesus was speaking. God was exercising his authority and power through Jesus. This is why Jesus was able to cast demons out of people.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

has begun among you
-or-
has arrived among you (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

God has begun to rule among you

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