Demons and Exorcisms in the Gospels

Demons and Exorcisms in the Gospels
by Felix Just, S.J.

Names, Terms, and Definitions:

Demons - various spiritual beings usually thought to be somehow between humans and God

the English word is simply a transliteration of the Greek word daimon
used 63 times in the NT, mostly in the three Synoptic Gospels
they are frequently also called "unclean spirits" or "evil spirits" in the NT
originally thought to be either good or evil; just like angels could be good or evil
later "demon" is used mostly for evil spirits, while "angel" is used for good spirits
thus demons were thought to cause mental problems, physical illnesses, natural disasters, etc.

Demoniac - a person thought to be "possessed" by a demon; the demon lives inside the demoniac
Exorcism - the process by which demons are cast out of a person; a story that narrates such an event
Exorcist - a person who performs an exorcism; one who casts demons out of other people (cf. Acts 19:13)

Satan - a transliteration of the Hebrew word for "adversary" or "accuser"

originally acts like a "prosecuting attorney" in God's court, the one who opposes or accuses human beings of their sins (Job 1-2; Zech 3:1-2; 1 Chron 21:1)
only later (post-biblical) thought of as a fallen angel, a force opposing God, or the embodiment of Evil
mentioned 36 times in the NT (4-Mt, 6-Mk, 5-Lk, 1-Jn, 2-Acts, 10-Paul, 8-Rev)

Devil - from the Greek word diabolos meaning "slanderer"

used twice in the NT for human beings as "slanderers" (1 Tim 3:11; Titus 2:3)
used 35 times for the "Devil" (6-Mt, 0-Mk, 5-Lk, 3-Jn, 2-Acts, 6-Paul, 8-Cath, 5-Rev)
connected with the "ancient serpent" and the "dragon" in Rev 12:1-18 & 20:2

Beelzebub, Beelzebul - other ancient Jewish names for the leader of evil forces

used in the NT only in Mark 3:22 (par. Matt 12:24-27; Luke 11:15-19) and Matt 10:25
comes from Baal-zebub, a foreign god mentioned in 2 Kings 1:2-16
Baal-zebub literally means "Lord of the flies"; Baal-zebul means "Lord of Dung"

Other Names and Descriptions in the New Testament:

Apollyon (a Greek name meaning "the destroyer" - Rev 9:11 only)
Beliar (a Hebrew word for "wickedness" - 2 Cor 6:15 only; often in non-biblical lit.)
The Accuser (Rev 12:10)
The Adversary (1 Pet 5:8)
[Disguised as] an Angel of Light (2 Cor 11:14)
The Evil One (Matt 5:37; 6:13; 13:19, 38; John 17:15; Eph 6:16; 2 Thess 3:3; 1 John passim)
The Prince/Ruler of the Demons (Mark 3:22; Matt 9:34; 12:24; Luke 11:15)
The Ruler of This World (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11)
The Tempter (Matt 4:3; 1 Thess 3:5)

Other Names in Non-Biblical Ancient Literature:

Asmodeus, Belial, Mastemah, Sammael, etc.

Other Biblical Characters later connected with the Devil, but not originally the same:

The Serpent Gen 3; Rev 12)
Lucifer (Isa 14:12)

Verbs Typically Used in Exorcism Narratives:

"rebuke" - the exorcist confronts and challenges the demon
"silence" - the exorcist tells the demon to shut up and be quiet
"cast out" - the exorcist forces the demon to leave the body of the demoniac
BUT, exorcists never "touch" demoniacs; they always perform exorcisms verbally

Major Exorcisms and Stories involving Satan/Devil/Beelzubul/Demons in the Synoptic Gospels:
[ Note: There are NO exorcisms in the Gospel according to John! ]

Pericope	Mark	Matt	Luke
Jesus is tempted/tested in the desert by the Devil/Satan	Mark 1:12-13	Matt 4:1-11	Luke 4:1-13
Unclean Spirit/Demon in Synagogue at Capernaum	Mark 1:23-28	x	Luke 4:33-37
Jesus casts out a demon that made a man dumb (mute)	x	Matt 9:32-33 Matt 12:22-23	Luke 11:14
Beelzebul Controversy: What power does Jesus use?	Mark 3:22-30	Matt 9:34 Matt 12:24-30	Luke 11:15-23
Gerasene/Gadarene Demoniac possessed by "Legion"	Mark 5:1-20	Matt 8:28-34	Luke 8:26-39
Syro-Phoenician Woman's Daughter	Mark 7:24-30	Matt 15:21-28	x
Boy with an Epileptic Spirit	Mark 9:14-29	Matt 17:14-21	Luke 9:37-43a
Another Exorcist	Mark 9:38-41	Matt 10:42	Luke 9:49-50

Briefer Mentions of Demons/Satan/Exorcisms in the Synoptic Gospels, esp. in Summary Passages:

Pericope	Mark	Matt	Luke
Jesus "rebukes" the fever of Simon's Mother-in-Law	[Mark 1:29-31]	[Matt 8:14-15]	Luke 4:38-39
The narrator summarizes Jesus' exorcisms and his healings	Mark 1:32-34	Matt 8:16-17	Luke 4:40-41
Jesus goes throughout Galilee preaching and casting out demons	Mark 1:39	[Matt 4:23]	[Luke 4:44]
Unclean spirits recognize Jesus, but he silences them	Mark 3:11	[Matt 12:15-16]	Luke 4:41
Jesus says he will give the Twelve authority to cast out demons	Mark 3:15	Matt 10:1	x
Interpreting the Parable of the Sower, birds eating the seeds on the path refers to the Devil/Satan taking away the word sown in people's hearts	Mark 4:15	Matt 13:19	Luke 8:12
Interpreting the Parable of the Tares, Jesus explains: "The enemy who sowed them is the devil"	x	Matt 13:39	x
Jesus sends out his apostles with authority over unclean spirits	Mark 6:7	Matt 10:8	Luke 9:1
If opponents call Jesus Beelzubul, they'll say worse about his disciples	x	Matt 10:25	x
Narrator reports: apostles cast out many demons & cure the sick	Mark 6:13	x	x
Jesus "rebukes" Peter for opposing him: "Get behind me, Satan!"	Mark 8:33	[Matt 16:23]	x
The 70 return from their mission, saying demons were subject to them; Jesus replies, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven"	x	x	Luke 10:17-18
Jesus heals a crippled woman "whom Satan bound for 18 years"	x	x	Luke 13:10-17
In the Parable of the Sheep & Goats, the king says to those on the left: "Depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil & his angels"	x	Matt 25:41	x
Satan enters into Judas Iscariot at the Last Supper (cf. John 13:27)	x	x	Luke 22:3
Jesus tells Peter: "Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat"	x	x	Luke 22:31
Jesus had cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene	[Mark 16:9]	x	x
Believers will cast out demons in Jesus' name	[Mark 16:17]	x	x