Casting Out Demons According to Jesus' Teaching and Practice
Jesus' Teaching and Practice on Casting Out Demons
Jesus' authority over demons is a recurring theme in the Gospels. In Luke 4:35, Jesus rebukes an unclean spirit, commanding it to "Be silent, and come out of him!" and the demon obeys, exiting the man without harming him [1]. This event is not isolated; Jesus frequently casts out demons throughout his ministry, as seen in Matthew 17:18, where a demon is expelled from a boy, curing him [3].
The Gospels portray Jesus' exorcisms as a manifestation of the Kingdom of God. Jesus himself states, "But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28) [2]. This connection between exorcism and the Kingdom is significant, as it underscores Jesus' role in defeating Satan's power. According to Tyndale House on Matthew 12:31, Jesus' argument implies that attributing his exorcisms to Satan's power is a grave error, tantamount to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit [9].
Jesus' method of exorcism involves a direct command, often accompanied by rebuke. The Gospels do not describe elaborate rituals or incantations; instead, Jesus' authority is sufficient to expel demons. This is evident in Matthew 8:32, where Jesus' word alone causes the demons to flee into a herd of pigs [10]. The Tyndale House commentary on Matthew 12:29 explains that Jesus' ability to cast out demons implies that he has first bound Satan's powers, opposing him and overcoming his influence [11].
The disciples are also empowered by Jesus to cast out demons. In Luke 9:1, Jesus sends out the twelve disciples, giving them authority over demons and the power to heal [12]. This commission is significant, as it indicates that the authority to cast out demons is not limited to Jesus but is extended to his followers. According to Tyndale House on Luke 9:1, Jesus is training the disciples to carry on his work after he is gone [12].
The Jewish context of Jesus' ministry is relevant to understanding his exorcisms. The practice of exorcism was not unique to Jesus; Jewish exorcists also claimed to expel demons, often invoking the name of God or using various rituals [5, 6]. However, Jesus' authority and power are distinct from those of other exorcists. In Matthew 12:27, Jesus challenges the Pharisees, asking about their own exorcists, implying that they too acknowledge the possibility of casting out demons, but Jesus' method and authority are unparalleled [13].
The early Christian understanding of demons is also reflected in the writings of Flavius Josephus, who describes Solomon as having knowledge of the science that expels demons, a skill considered useful and sanative to men [8]. The biblical dictionaries of Smith and Easton provide further insight into the nature of demons in the biblical context, describing them as spiritual beings at enmity with God, capable of afflicting humans with disease and spiritual pollution [4, 7].
Sources
- Luke “Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. -- Luke 4:35”
- Matthew “But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. -- Matthew 12:28”
- Matthew “Jesus rebuked him, the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour. -- Matthew 17:18”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Demon — In the Gospels generally, in (James 2:19) and in Reve 16:14 The demons are spoken of as spiritual beings, at enmity with God, and having power to afflict man not only with disease, but, as is marked by the frequent epithet "un-clean," with spiritual pollution also. They "believe" the power of God "and tremble," (James 2:19) they recognized the Lord as the Son of God, (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41) and acknowledged the power of his name, used in exorcism. In the place of the name of Jehovah, by his appointed messengers, (Acts 19:15) and looked forward in terror to t”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Exorcist — (Acts 19:13). "In that sceptical and therefore superstitious age professional exorcist abounded. Many of these professional exorcists were disreputable Jews, like Simon in Samaria and Elymas in Cyprus (8:9; 13:6)." Other references to exorcism as practised by the Jews are found in Matt. 12:27; Mark 9:38; Luke 9:49, 50. It would seem that it was an opinion among the Jews that miracles might be wrought by invoking the divine name. Thus also these "vagabond Jews" pretended that they could expel daemons. The power of casting out devils was conferred by Christ ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Exorcist — one who pretends to expel evil spirits by conjuration, prayers and ceremonies. Exorcism was frequently practiced among the Jews. (Matthew 12:27; Acts 19:13) David, by playing skillfully on a harp, procured the temporary departure of the evil spirit which troubled Saul. (1 Samuel 16:23) The power of casting out devils was bestowed by Christ while on earth upon the apostles, (Matthew 10:8) and the seventy disciples (Luke 10:17-19) and was, according to his promise, (Mark 16:17) exercised by believers after his ascension. (Acts 16:18)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Daemon — The Greek form, rendered "devil" in the Authorized Version of the New Testament. Daemons are spoken of as spiritual beings (Matt. 8:16; 10:1; 12:43-45) at enmity with God, and as having a certain power over man (James 2:19; Rev. 16:14). They recognize our Lord as the Son of God (Matt. 8:20; Luke 4:41). They belong to the number of those angels that "kept not their first estate," "unclean spirits," "fallen angels," the angels of the devil (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:7-9). They are the "principalities and powers" against which we must "wrestle" (Eph. 6:12).”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 2, section 5: he spake a parable upon every sort of tree, from the hyssop to the cedar; and in like manner also about beasts, about all sorts of living creatures, whether upon the earth, or in the seas, or in the air; for he was not unacquainted with any of their natures, nor omitted inquiries about them, but described them all like a philosopher, and demonstrated his exquisite knowledge of their several properties. God also enabled him to learn that skill which expels demons, 4 which is a science useful and sanative to men. He composed such i”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 12:31: 12:31 In the face of the Pharisees’ accusations of Satanic influence, Jesus had just argued that he, the Messiah, cast out demons through the power of the Holy Spirit. In this context, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit can only mean attributing the ministry and exorcisms of Jesus to Satan’s power.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:32: 8:32 Jesus’ word had sufficient authority to expel demons. • drowned: Jesus had begun to defeat the enemy (12:28; Luke 10:17-20; Rom 16:20; Col 2:15).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 12:29: 12:29 This parable forced the Pharisees to answer a simple question: Can anyone cast out demons without first binding Satan’s powers and thus opposing him (see Isa 49:24-26; 53:12)? • tie him up: Jesus overcame Satan first at his temptation (Matt 4:1-11), then throughout his ministry (see Luke 10:17-20), and ultimately on the cross (see Col 2:14-15).”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 9:1: 9:1-6 Jesus now sent his twelve disciples to announce the Kingdom of God and demonstrate its authority by casting out demons and healing the sick. Jesus was training them to carry on his work after he was gone.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 12:27: 12:27 what about your own exorcists (literally your sons): Jesus forced them to think consistently. If demons are cast out under Satan’s influence, then their disciples were equally guilty (see Acts 19:13-16).”