Final answer:
Jesus was accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, which was an attempt to discredit his ministry by linking his miraculous works to the agency of an evil spirit rather than divine authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
In various biblical accounts, particularly in the synoptic gospels of the New Testament, Jesus was accused by some of his contemporaries of exorcising demons by the power of Beelzebub. Beelzebub was often identified with the devil, making the accusation an attempt to discredit Jesus's miraculous works by claiming they were done through the agency of an evil spirit rather than divine power. This claim was a significant challenge to Jesus's ministry, as it called into question the source of his authority and the nature of his miraculous acts.
For instance, in the Gospel of Matthew (12:24), the Pharisees hear of Jesus casting out demons and claim, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." This accusation prompts Jesus to discuss the divided kingdom, explaining that if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself, so his kingdom cannot stand, which logically disputes their assertion. Jesus further argues that if he casts out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do their own people cast them out? This serves to show that Jesus's works were not done through evil, but rather through "the Spirit of God," thus indicating the presence of the Kingdom of God.