Exorcism

The expulsion of an evil spirit or spirits from a person. Jesus Christ has unique authority as an exorcist. He delegated this authority to the disciples.

Exorcism was practised with varying degrees of success by Jews and pagans

Matthew 7:22, Matthew 12:27 parallel Luke 11:19; Acts 19:13–16

Jesus Christ had unique authority as an exorcist

Mark 1:27 parallel Luke 4:36Matthew 12:25–28 parallel Luke 11:17–18 The authority Jesus Christ exercised over evil spirits demonstrated that God's kingly authority was present in him. See also Matthew 12:29 parallels Mark 3:27, Luke 11:21–22 Jesus Christ is the “strong man”. His power over evil spirits shows that Satan is defeated.

All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!”

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Jesus Christ had a general ministry of exorcism

Matthew 8:16 parallels Mark 1:34, Luke 4:41; Mark 1:39; Luke 6:17–18, Luke 7:21

Jesus Christ gave the apostles power to cast out evil spirits

Matthew 10:1 parallels Mark 6:7, Luke 9:1; Mark 3:14–15, Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17

After the ascension the apostles cast out evil spirits

Acts 5:16, Acts 19:12

Various symptoms associated with the need for exorcism

Violent or self-destructive behaviour

Mark 5:1–5 parallel Luke 8:27–29

Deafness and muteness

Matthew 9:32; Mark 9:17; Luke 11:14

Seizures

Matthew 17:14–15 parallels Mark 9:17–18, Luke 9:38–39

Various components of exorcism

A word of command

Mark 1:25 parallel Luke 4:35 See also Matthew 8:32; Mark 9:25; Acts 16:18

But Jesus rebuked the spirit. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!”

The demons recognise the source of the authority addressing them

Mark 1:24 parallel Luke 4:34 See also Matthew 8:29 parallels Mark 5:7, Luke 8:28; Acts 16:17

“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!”

Exorcism was often accompanied by an element of violence or trauma

Mark 1:26 See also Mark 9:26; Matthew 8:32 parallels Mark 5:13, Luke 8:32–33; Acts 19:16

At this, the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and came out with a loud shriek.

Exorcism changes the behaviour or condition of the person delivered

Mark 5:15 parallel Luke 8:35 See also Matthew 9:33 parallel Luke 11:14

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

An exorcised person may be ``repossessed''

Matthew 12:43–45 parallel Luke 11:24–26

Methods of exorcism other than the word of command

Exorcism may be achieved at a distance

Matthew 15:21–28 parallel Mark 7:24–30; Acts 19:12

On rare occasions an object is used

Acts 19:12 This was an unusual demonstration of power in a city noted for magic.

David's music brought relief to Saul

1 Samuel 16:14–16, 1 Samuel 16:23

Intensive prayer is sometimes necessary

Mark 9:29