Saying 35: Binding the Strong Man
You cannot get into a strong man's house and take it by force without tying his hands first; then you can loot the place.
Commentary
Mark uses this to explain exorcism. Stripped of that setting, Thomas leaves a bare tactical image — whatever holds you has to be bound before anything can be taken back.
Parallels
Mark 3:27; Matthew 12:29; Luke 11:21–22
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 63 Saying 63: The Rich Fool A rich man planned to invest his money, sow, reap and fill his barns so he would lack nothing — and died…
- Saying 40 Saying 40: The Vine Planted Apart A grapevine has been planted away from the Father; it has no strength, and it will be pulled up by the root…
- Saying 65 Saying 65: The Wicked Tenants A man leased his vineyard to farmers. He sent a servant for the produce and they beat him; he sent another and…
- Saying 109 Saying 109: The Treasure in the Field A man had a treasure buried in his field and knew nothing about it. He died and left the field to his…
- Saying 107 Saying 107: The Largest Sheep A shepherd with a hundred sheep lost the largest one. He left the ninety-nine and searched until he found it, and then…
- Saying 57 Saying 57: The Wheat and the Weeds A man sowed good seed; his enemy sowed weeds among it at night. He would not let his workers pull the weeds…