Demonic and Satanic Miracles in the Bible Explained

The Bible describes instances of miracles and wonders performed by demonic and Satanic forces, distinguishing them from divine acts while acknowledging their deceptive power. These occurrences are presented as part of a spiritual conflict, often intended to mislead or oppose God's work ^{[2, 14]}.

The term "Satan" itself derives from the Hebrew word satan, meaning "adversary" ^[4]. In the New Testament, demons are depicted as spiritual beings hostile to God, capable of afflicting humans with disease and spiritual pollution ^[1]. They recognize God's power and the authority of Jesus as the Son of God ^{[1, 6]}.

Biblical accounts of demonic miracles include:

The Magicians of Egypt When Moses and Aaron performed signs before Pharaoh, the Egyptian magicians were able to replicate some of these miracles, such as turning staffs into serpents and water into blood, and bringing forth frogs [2, Exodus 7:11, 22; 8:7]. This demonstrates a limited, imitative power wielded by evil agents.
The Witch of Endor In 1 Samuel 28:7-14, the witch of Endor is depicted as conjuring a spirit that appears to be Samuel, at King Saul's request ^[2]. This event is often cited as an example of supernatural phenomena facilitated by evil forces.
False Christs and Prophets Jesus warned that false Christs and false prophets would arise and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect [2, Matthew 24:24].
The Beast and False Prophet in Revelation The book of Revelation describes the beast and the false prophet performing "great wonders," including making fire come down from heaven in the sight of men [11, Revelation 13:13]. These are referred to as "signs" or "prodigies of falsehood," wrought "after the working of Satan" ^{[9, 10]}. These demonic signs are intended to gather the kings of the earth for battle against God ^{[6, 11]}.

Demonic possession, where an evil spirit controls an individual, is frequently mentioned in the New Testament. This possession often manifested as bodily disease or mental derangement, such as dumbness or other physical disabilities ^{[3, 15]}. Jesus frequently cast out demons, demonstrating his authority over these evil spirits ^{[13, 14]}. For example, he healed two demoniacs in the region of the Gadarenes [5, Matthew 8:28]. When accused of casting out demons by the power of Satan, Jesus refuted the claim, indicating that his exorcisms were a sign of God's kingdom [18, Luke 11:15-26].

The Apostle Paul warns against the "coming of the lawless one" which will be "according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders" [2, 2 Thessalonians 2:9]. These "lying wonders" are designed to deceive those who do not love the truth [2, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary notes that this "working of Satan" is in opposition to the energy of the Holy Spirit, and that Antichrist is Satan's visible embodiment ^[10].

While God performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth to deliver and rescue his people ^{[5, 7, 8]}, demonic miracles serve to support false religions and deceive the ungodly ^[2]. The Bible consistently portrays demonic activity, including the performance of miracles, as a manifestation of Satan's opposition to God and his plan ^[12].

Sources

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”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Miracles Through Evil Agents — Performed through the power of the devil -- 2Th 2:9; Re 16:14. Wrought In support of false religions. -- De 13:1-2. By false christs. -- Mt 24:24. By false prophets. -- Mt 24:24; Re 19:20. A mark of the Apostasy -- 2Th 2:3,9; Re 13:13. Not to be regarded -- De 13:3. Deceive the ungodly -- 2Th 2:10-12; Re 13:14; 19:20. Exemplified Magicians of Egypt. -- Ex 7:11,22; 8:7. Witch of Endor. -- 1Sa 28:7-14. Simon Magus. -- Ac 8:9-11.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Demoniacs — This word is frequently used in the New Testament, and applied to persons suffering under the possession of a demon or evil spirit, such possession generally showing itself visibly in bodily disease or mental derangement. It has been maintained by many persons that our Lord and the evangelists, in referring to demonical possession, spoke only in accommodation to the general belief of the Jews, without any assertion as to its truth or its falsity. It is concluded that, since the symptoms of the affliction were frequently those of bodily disease (as dumbness”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Satan — The word itself, the Hebrew satan, is simply an "adversary," and is so used in (1 Samuel 29:4; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 6:4; 11:14,23,25; Numbers 22:22,33; Psalms 109:6) This original sense is still found in our Lord's application of the name to St. Peter in (Matthew 16:23) It is used as a proper name or title only four times in the Old Testament, vis. (with the article) in (Job 1:6; 12; 2:1; Zechariah 2:1) and without the article in (1 Chronicles 21:1) It is with the scriptural revelation on the subject that we are here concerned; and it is clear, from this si”
Daniel “Daniel 6:27 (BSB) — He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.””
King James Version “[KJV] Revelation 16:14 — For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
Joel “I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, fire, and pillars of smoke. -- Joel 2:30”
Acts “I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. -- Acts 2:19”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 13:13: wonders--Greek, "signs." so that--so great that. maketh fire--Greek, "maketh even fire." This is the very miracle which the two witnesses perform, and which Elijah long ago had performed; this the beast from the bottomless pit, or the false prophet, mimics. Not merely tricks, but miracles of a demoniacal kind, and by demon aid, like those of the Egyptian magicians, shall be wrought, most calculated to deceive; wrought "after the working (Greek, 'energy') of Satan."”
2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 2:9: whose coming--The same Greek as was used for the Lord's coming (Th2 2:8) or personal "presence." is--in its essential character. after--according to the working ("energy") of Satan, as opposed to the energy or working of the Holy Spirit in the Church (see on Eph 1:19). As Christ is related to God, so is Antichrist to Satan, his visible embodiment and manifestation: Satan works through him. Rev 13:2, "The dragon gave him (the beast) his power . . . seat . . . great authority." lying wonders--literally, "wonders" or "prodigies of falsehood.”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 16:14: devils--Greek, "demons." working miracles--Greek, "signs." go forth unto--or "for," that is, to tempt them to the battle with Christ. the kings of the earth and, &c.--A, B, Syriac, and ANDREAS omit "of the earth and," which clause is not in any manuscript. Translate, "kings of the whole habitable world," who are "of this world," in contrast to "the kings of (from) the East" (the sun-rising), Rev 16:12, namely, the saints to whom Christ has appointed a kingdom, and who are "children of light." God, in permitting Satan's miracles, as in the ca”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 4:11: 4:11 Then the devil went away: Jesus’ rebuff of Satan here foreshadows his victory over demons (12:28), Satan’s defeat through the Cross (Col 2:14-15), and the final victory at the end of history (Rom 16:20; Rev 12:7-17; 20:2-3, 10). • Angels, who had already been involved in the Messiah’s arrival and protection (Matt 1:20, 24; 2:13, 19), now came and took care of Jesus after his temptation, in fulfillment of the Old Testament (4:6; see Ps 91:11-12).”
Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 5 (introduction): In this chapter, we have, I. Christ's casting the legion of devils out of the man possessed, and suffering them to enter into the swine (v. 1-20). II. Christ's healing the woman with the bloody issue, in the way as he was going to raise Jairus's daughter to life (v. 21-43). These three miracles we had the story of before (Mat 8:28, etc. and Mat 9:18, etc.) but more fully related here.”
Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 19:13: The preachers of the gospel were sent forth to carry on a war against Satan, and therein Christ went forth conquering and to conquer. The casting of evil spirits out of those that were possessed was one instance of Christ's victory over Satan; but, to show in how many ways Christ triumphed over that great enemy, we have here in these verses two remarkable instances of the conquest of Satan, not only in those that were violently possessed by him, but in those that were voluntarily devoted to him. I. Here is the confusion of some of Satan's servants, some vagabond Je”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 11:14: 11:14-32 Jesus faced two challenges. He answered the first, an accusation that he was casting out demons by Satan’s power (11:15), in 11:17-26. The second was a demand for miraculous signs (11:16), which he answered in 11:29-32. 11:14 a demon from a man who couldn’t speak: Demons sometimes inflict physical disease or disability.”

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