Topical Bible: Demons: Cast out by Jesus

◄ Demons: Cast out by Jesus ►

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In the New Testament, the casting out of demons by Jesus is a significant aspect of His earthly ministry, demonstrating His authority over the spiritual realm and His compassion for those afflicted by evil spirits. The Gospels provide several accounts of Jesus performing exorcisms, which serve as a testament to His divine power and the inauguration of the Kingdom of God.

Authority Over Demons

Jesus' authority over demons is evident from the outset of His ministry. In Mark 1:23-27, Jesus encounters a man with an unclean spirit in the synagogue at Capernaum. The demon recognizes Jesus, crying out, "What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:24). Jesus rebukes the spirit, commanding it to be silent and to come out of the man. The spirit obeys, and the people are amazed at Jesus' authority, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him" (Mark 1:27).

Compassion for the Afflicted

Jesus' exorcisms also highlight His compassion for those suffering under demonic oppression. In Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus travels to the region of the Gadarenes, where He encounters two demon-possessed men living among the tombs. The demons, recognizing Jesus, plead with Him not to torment them before the appointed time. Jesus permits the demons to enter a herd of pigs, which then rush into the sea and drown. The men are freed from their torment, illustrating Jesus' mercy and His mission to liberate those in bondage.

Demonstration of the Kingdom of God

The casting out of demons is a sign of the coming of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 12:28, Jesus declares, "But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" . This statement underscores that Jesus' exorcisms are not merely acts of compassion but are also a demonstration of the inbreaking of God's reign, challenging the powers of darkness and establishing His sovereignty.

Faith and Deliverance

Faith plays a crucial role in the deliverance from demonic possession. In Mark 9:14-29, a father brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus after the disciples are unable to cast out the spirit. Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, and the boy is healed. When the disciples inquire why they could not drive it out, Jesus responds, "This kind can come out only by prayer" (Mark 9:29). This account emphasizes the necessity of faith and reliance on God in spiritual warfare.

The Apostolic Commission

Jesus extends His authority over demons to His disciples, commissioning them to continue His work. In Matthew 10:1, He gives the twelve apostles "authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness" . This empowerment signifies the continuation of Jesus' mission through His followers, who are called to proclaim the Gospel and demonstrate the power of the Kingdom.

Conclusion

The accounts of Jesus casting out demons reveal His divine authority, compassion, and the reality of the spiritual battle between the Kingdom of God and the forces of evil. These narratives serve as a powerful reminder of Jesus' victory over darkness and His ongoing work through His Church.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 4:24
And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought to him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
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Matthew 8:16
When the even was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
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Mark 3:22
And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casts he out devils.
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Luke 4:41
And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, You are Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
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Library

An Attempt to Account for Jesus
... us, 'If I, by the Spirit of God, cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God is come
unto you,' it stands beside us; it calls for our obedience. Jesus Christ, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/an attempt to account for.htm

Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
... for there were at least two powers by which demons might be cast out, as both ... was
an explanation very difficult to disprove, and Jesus himself considered ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlviii blasphemous accusations of the.htm

Jesus, Accordingly, in Turning Away the Minds of his Disciples...
... eaten and drunk in Thy name, and by Thy name have cast out demons, and done ... of iniquity."
[3322] But Celsus, wishing to assimilate the miracles of Jesus to the ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlix jesus accordingly in.htm

But when Simon Cephas Saw this He Fell Before the Feet of Jesus...
... [522] And he cast out devils also from many, as they were crying out and saying ... And
he suffered not the demons to speak, because they knew him that he was ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section vi but when simon.htm

A Stubborn Foe Routed.
... part of the reply:""This kind can come out by nothing but by prayer." Some
less-stubborn demons may be cast out by the ... It can be put out by nothing less. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a stubborn foe routed.htm

Would-Be Exorcists
... It is not narrowness or hostility to non-Christian efforts to cast out the demons
from humanity ... it is the powers lodged in the Name of Jesus, and these ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/would-be exorcists.htm

Annas and Caiaphas, Summas and Datam, Gamaliel, Judas, Levi...
... Pilate says to them: It is not in an unclean spirit to cast out demons, but in ... And
Pilate, calling a runner, says to him: Let Jesus be brought in with kindness ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 annas and caiaphas.htm

Why the Pharisees Asked a Sign from Heaven.
... supposes that we have given an occasion of defence to the Pharisees and Sadducees,
both when they say that the demons were cast out by Jesus through Beelzebub ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/2 why the pharisees asked.htm

Institutions of Jesus.
... popular credulity. Even in the lifetime of Jesus, many, without being his
disciples, cast out demons in his name. The true disciples ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xviii institutions of jesus.htm

The Legion of Demons.
... And the demons besought him, saying, "If thou cast us out, send us away
into the herd of swine.". And he said unto them, "Go.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the legion of demons.htm