Gospel in Art: How can Satan cast out Satan?

Saint Augustine and the Devil, by Michael Pacher © Alte Pinakothek, Munich

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 23 January 2023
Mark 3:22-30

The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, 'Beelzebul is in him' and, 'It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.' So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, 'How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either - it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man's house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.

'I tell you solemnly, all men's sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.' This was because they were saying, 'An unclean spirit is in him.'

Reflection on the painting

The Gospel reading of today talks about Satan, Beelzebul, evil and unclean spirits. Jesus takes on the forces of evil during His ministry and the powers of darkness cannot master Him. At the same time, we hear about the scribes already plotting against Jesus and spreading malicious stories.

Depictions of hell, Satan and evil were not very prominent in art history until the 14th century, when the plaque, famine, wars, black death etc swept throughout Europe and some explanation for the destructive 'evil' needed depicting. Satan started being portrayed in beastly form but with human qualities, as a cautionary tale for illiterate church goers. Paintings, such as ours by Michael Pacher, made around 1471, must have scared the viewers and therefore prompted to scare people away from evil temptations.

Our painting depicts Saint Augustine literally in the face of evil, in front of Satan. This painting made the point, that anyone can and will get tempted by the devil. Even the saints. Throughout the Middle Ages, when this painting was produced, the depictions of Satan portrayed him as an aggressive, malignant, evil force set on tormenting as many human souls as possible… even Saint Augustine. It is this what Jesus is warning us about today, that Satan is not just a passive onlooker, but he has an active role, trying to steal souls and unsettle us. But Jesus is also saying that evil is not necessarily something overtly monstrous. Evil can can be very subtle, and on the surface appear very appealing and attractive.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-3-22-30-2023/