Luke 11:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But it is said, upon you, that He might draw them to Him; as if He said, If prosperity comes to you, why do you despise your good things?

I expelled 'the finger of God,' which refers to the Holy Spirit, not the unclean spirit. The term 'finger' suggests that just as a finger is integral to a hand, the Holy Spirit is of the same essence as both the Father and the Son. Additionally, it may be significant that the Son is referred to as the right hand of God, and upon Him rested the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit—not merely as an instrument, but in unity with Him; and among the gifts and functions of the Spirit is the ability to heal. He states that I expel demons by the 'finger' of God, meaning through the gift of the Spirit. Just as a finger is an extension of the hand, the spirit of healing was part of the various gifts of the Spirit that Jesus possessed.

And therefore it is justly said, The kingdom of God is come upon you, that is, “If I as a man cast out devils by the Spirit of God, human nature is enriched through Me, and the kingdom of God is come.”

Now the Holy Spirit is called the finger of God, because of the distribution of gifts which are given through Him, to every one his own gift, whether he be of men or angels. For in none of our members is division more apparent than in our fingers.

According to the accounts of the three Gospel writers, the Lord addressed the Jewish people, stating, ‘But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, for the kingdom of God will rest upon you’ (Matt. 12:28). Luke records Him as saying, ‘But if by the finger of God I cast out demons, for the Kingdom of God will rest upon you’ (Luke 11:20). Consequently, just as the miraculous signs performed in Egypt by Moses were accomplished through the finger of God, so too are the wondrous deeds of God Himself manifested through the Spirit. In the same way Moses’ miracles reflect the might of the Lord, the acts of the Lord also reveal the Spirit as the finger of God.

But at this time our Lord does not hesitate because of His humanity to speak of Himself as inferior to the Holy Spirit, saying, that He cast out devils by Him, as though the human nature was not sufficient for the casting out of devils without the power of the Holy Spirit.

At the same time He shews that it is a regal power which the Holy Spirit possesses, in whom is the kingdom of God, and that we in whom the Spirit dwells are a royal house.

It is stated with utmost clarity and accuracy.

Notes: * Matthew 12:28: but if it be about the finger of God, I will cast out demons. The finger of God here may be referred to as the Holy Spirit.

Or He says, The kingdom of God is come upon you, signifying, “is come against you, not for you.” For dreadful is the second coming of Christ to faithless Christians.

The Holy Spirit is referred to as the finger of God, highlighting the unity of substance, power, and action within the Trinity.

He answered not their words but their thoughts, that so at least they might be compelled to believe in His power, who saw into the secrets of the heart.

He clearly identifies the Holy Spirit as God, referring to Him as the finger of God—the power and divine force used to drive out demons. To blaspheme the Spirit is undoubtedly to dishonor God, as it is stated to be an unforgivable sin, both in this age and the age to come (Matt. 12:32). This reflects assertions found in various texts addressing the Latins concerning their defamation of the Holy Spirit.

The miraculous healing of the blind man possessed by a demon had a profound impact on the crowd, leading them to wonder if the one who performed this act was the Messiah. This shift in perception undoubtedly displeased Christ's adversaries, the scribes and Pharisees, but the divine nature of the healing was apparent to all. In response, they sought to distort this miracle, attributing it to the influence of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.

The second matter to consider pertains to the disciples. If I exorcise demons through the power of Beelzebub, then by whose authority do your children cast them out? The apostles had previously driven out demons, having been granted that authority by the Saviour, yet the Pharisees held no accusations against them. Their opposition was not directed towards the deeds themselves but rather against the person performing them. Thus, Christ aimed to reveal that the only motivator behind their accusations was envy, highlighting the Apostles' actions. He reasoned, “If I, as you claim, cast out demons by Beelzebub’s power, then surely they, who have received their authority from Me, are even more remarkable. Yet you do not voice such charges against them.

The phrase "by the finger of God" can be seen in the Gospel of Matthew as "by the Spirit of God" (Matt. 12:28 and note). This terminology in the Gospel of Luke aligns with the understanding that remarkable deeds or miracles were perceived as actions carried out under God's guidance, akin to the operation of His finger (see Exod. 8:19, Ps. 8:3). The "finger of God" mentioned in Exodus 8:19, which in Egypt was responsible for turning the finger into various animals, represents the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. Thus, the signs executed in Egypt through the finger of God and the wondrous acts performed by Jesus Christ arise through the Holy Spirit's influence.