Casting Out Demons

A Series of Miracles
- The Exorcism Accounts -

Introductory Observations

1. Jesus wasn’t the only exorcist of His day
Others were known as exorcists
The Disciples became exorcists
Other people used Jesus name in exorcisms

2. There was something notable about His exorcisms
He performed exorcisms by His own authority
He performed exorcisms with merely words
He performed exorcisms that others were unable to perform

3. There are five key accounts of Jesus’ exorcisms
John only records the question of whether Jesus HAD a demon

Matt Mark Luke
#1 Spirit in Synagogue 1:21-28 4:31-36
#2 The Blind/Mute Man 12:22-29 11:14-26
#3 The Plunging Pigs 8:28-34 5:1-17 8:26-39
#4 Demonized Daughter 15:21-28 7:24-30
#5 Shaking Son 17:14-21 9:14-29


1. Evil spirits can enter religious buildings (Mk 1:23, Lk 4:33)

2. The term ‘Evil spirit’ is synonymous with ‘demon’ (Lk 4:33)

3. Evil spirits know the truth about Jesus (Mk 1:24, Lk 4:34)

4. Jesus has authority over evil spirits (Mk 1:25-26, Lk 4:35)

5. Evil spirits can cause physical ailments (Mt 12:22, Lk 11:14)

6. Exorcism was connected to Messianic hope (Mt 12:23)

7. Some attributed His exorcisms to Satan (Mt 12:24, Lk 11:15)

8. Evil spirits tend to isolate their prey (Mt 8:28, Lk 8:27, 29)

9. Evil spirits seem to know their fate (Mt 8:29, Lk 8:31)

10. Many demons can inhabit one person (Mk 5:9, Lk 8:30)

11. Demons can be transferred to other creatures (Mt 8:32)

12. Some people were spooked by exorcism (Mt 8:34, Lk 8:37)

13. We can be missionaries at home (Lk 8:39)

14. Faith is a key component of exorcism (Mt 15:27, Mk 7:29)

15. Jesus was often hesitant to exorcise (Mt 15:24, Mk 7:27)

16. Evil spirits can cause deadly behavior (Mt 17:15)

17. Some demons are harder to cast out than others (Mk 9:18)

18. Even children can have an evil spirit (Mk 9:21)

19. Prayer is a key component of exorcism (Mk 9:29)