Introduction
In addition to healing sickness and disease, the Gospels frequently record Jesus confronting and casting out unclean spirits. These encounters reveal another dimension of His authority: power over the spiritual forces of evil.
In the world of the New Testament, people sometimes suffered under the influence of unclean spirits that tormented them physically, mentally, and spiritually. When Jesus encountered these situations, the result was always the same. The unclean spirits recognized His authority, and at His command they departed.
The Gospel writers record many of these events. Some occurred in public places such as synagogues. Others happened in villages or remote regions. In every case, Jesus demonstrated that the kingdom of God was stronger than the power of Satan.
The following passages describe several of these moments when Jesus delivered people from unclean spirits.
Deliverance in the Gospel of Mark
The Demon Cast Out in the Synagogue
Mark 1:23–27 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Luke 4:33–36
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
Legion Delivered
Mark 5:1–20 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Matthew 8:28–34; Luke 8:26–39
And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains.
And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
And he asked him, What is thy name?
And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
And forthwith Jesus gave them leave.
And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea.
The Boy with an Unclean Spirit
Mark 9:14–29 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Matthew 17:14–21; Luke 9:37–43
And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them.
And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth.
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him.
Deliverance in the Gospel of Matthew
The Mute Demoniac Delivered
Matthew 9:32–34 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Mark 1:32–34; Luke 4:40–41 (similar events)
As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
The Blind and Mute Man Delivered
Matthew 12:22 (KJV)
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
The Daughter of the Canaanite Woman Delivered
Matthew 15:21–28 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Mark 7:24–30
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
But he answered her not a word.
And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.
And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.
And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Parallel Account in the Gospel of Mark
The Daughter Delivered (Mark’s Account)
Mark 7:24–30 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Matthew 15:21–28
And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon.
And entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:
The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
And he said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.
And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.
And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.
Deliverance Recorded in the Gospel of Luke
Mary Magdalene Delivered of Seven Devils
Luke 8:1–3 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Mark 16:9
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
A Demon Cast Out
Luke 11:14 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Matthew 9:32–33; Matthew 12:22 (similar events)
And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb.
And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
Teaching About Authority Over Satan
While the Gospels record many individual deliverances, Jesus also taught directly about His authority over Satan and the kingdom of darkness.
The Kingdom Stronger Than Satan
Matthew 12:25–29 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Mark 3:23–27; Luke 11:17–22
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
Closing Reflection
The deliverances recorded in the Gospels reveal an important dimension of the ministry of Jesus. While sickness and disease affected many people physically, the presence of unclean spirits brought a different kind of suffering—one that touched the mind, the body, and the soul.
Again and again, the Gospels show that unclean spirits recognized the authority of Jesus. They spoke through the people they tormented, cried out in fear, and obeyed His commands. With a word, Jesus cast them out and restored those who had been oppressed.
These events were not simply dramatic moments in the ministry of Jesus. They were signs that the kingdom of God had come. When Jesus said that a stronger one had come to bind the strong man, He was declaring that the power of Satan was being overcome.
Wherever Jesus went, the power of darkness was forced to retreat.
In the next article, we will examine another category of supernatural events recorded in the Gospels: the moments when Jesus demonstrated authority over the natural world itself—calming storms, walking on water, and exercising power over creation.
Next in the series:
Jesus’ Authority Over Nature (KJV)
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