Demons are subject to the authority of Jesus Christ during his ministry and subsequently in the ministry of the church.
All spiritual powers are subject to Jesus Christ who has supreme authority
Ephesians 1:19–22 See also Romans 8:38; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 1:16, Colossians 2:10, Colossians 2:15
and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,
Demons are powerless before Jesus Christ
Demons can only do what he permits
Matthew 8:31–32 parallels Mark 5:12–13, Luke 8:32–33
So the demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” “Go!” He told them. So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the waters.
Demons obey his command
Matthew 17:18 parallels Mark 9:25–26, Luke 9:42 See also Matthew 9:33–34; Mark 1:34, Mark 16:9; Luke 11:14
Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
Demons disperse at his word
Mark 9:25 See also Mark 1:25 parallel Luke 4:35
When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you to come out and never enter him again.”
The name of Jesus Christ has power against demons
Jesus Christ's name is used by his disciples
Mark 16:17 See also Mark 9:38–39 parallel Luke 9:49–50; Luke 10:17; Acts 16:18
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
Jesus Christ anticipates the misuse of his own name
Matthew 7:22–23 See also Acts 19:13–16 an example where Jesus' name is used in cases of demon-possession--but not by Jesus Christ's disciples, and not successfully
Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
Jesus Christ's disciples have delegated power over demons
In Jesus Christ's own lifetime
Matthew 10:1 See also Matthew 10:7; Mark 3:14–15, Mark 6:7 parallel Luke 9:1; Mark 6:13; Luke 10:17, Luke 10:19
And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness.
In the ongoing ministry of the church
Mark 16:17 See also Acts 5:16, Acts 8:7, Acts 16:18, Acts 19:12
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
Others will attempt to drive out demons
Matthew 12:27 parallel Luke 11:19; Mark 9:38 parallel Luke 9:49; Acts 19:13–15
The final punishment of demons
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.