Jesus as Exorcist
Olive Press
Ossuary of
Caiaphas
Worldview Shared by
Jesus and His Contemporaries
Satan and Evil Spirits in the Old Testament
Satan as Accuser
Other evil, spiritual beings
Worldview Shared by
Jesus and His Contemporaries
Disobedient Spiritual Beings in Second-Temple Judaism
Version One: The Watchers and their Offspring
Gen 6:1 Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the
land, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that
the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves,
whomever they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with
man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one
hundred and twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those
days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters
of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who
were of old, men of renown. 5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of
man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his
heart was only evil continually. 6 The Lord was sorry that he had made
man on the earth, and he was grieved in His heart.
What did the “sons of God” do? Who are the Nephilim?
Worldview Shared by
Jesus and His Contemporaries
Disobedient Spiritual Beings in Second-Temple Judaism
Version One: The Watchers and their Offspring
1 Enoch 7: And all the others together with them took unto themselves
wives, and each chose for himself one, and they began to go in unto
them and to defile themselves with them, and they taught them charms
and enchantments, and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted
with plants. And they became pregnant, and they bare great giants,
whose height was three thousand ells [ell = half of meter]: Who
consumed all the acquisitions of men. And when men could no longer
sustain them, the giants turned against them and devoured mankind. And
they began to sin against birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish, and to
devour one another's flesh, and drink the blood. Then the earth laid
accusation against the lawless ones.
How is Gen 6:1-6 interpreted by some Jews in the second-Temple period?
Worldview Shared by
Jesus and His Contemporaries
Disobedient Spiritual Beings in Second-Temple Judaism
Version One: The Watchers and their Offspring
1 Enoch 8:1 And Azaz’el taught men to make swords, and knives, and
shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals of the
earth and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the
use of antimony, and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly
stones, and all 2 coloring tinctures. And there arose much godlessness,
and they committed fornication, and they 3 were led astray, and became
corrupt in all their ways. Amasras taught enchantments, and the cutting
of roots, Armaros the resolving of enchantments, Baraqiyal (taught)
astrology, Kokarer’el the knowledge of the signs, Tam’el the seeing of the
stars, Asder’el taught the course of the moon as well as the deception of
man. And as men perished, they cried, and their cry went up to heaven.
How is the moral corruption of the antediluvian world explained? Which
types of things are considered evil?
Worldview Shared by
Jesus and His Contemporaries
Disobedient Spiritual Beings in Second-Temple Judaism
Version One: The Watchers and their Offspring
1 Enoch 15:8 And now, the giants, who are produced from the spirits and
flesh, shall be called evil spirits upon 9 the earth, and on the earth shall be
their dwelling. Evil spirits have proceeded from their bodies; because they
are born from men and from the holy Watchers is their beginning and
primal origin; 10 they shall be evil spirits on earth, and evil spirits shall they
be called. [As for the spirits of heaven, in heaven shall be their dwelling,
but as for the spirits of the earth which were born upon the earth, on the
earth shall be their dwelling.] And the spirits of the giants afflict, oppress,
destroy, attack, do battle, and work destruction on the earth, and cause
trouble: they take no food, but nevertheless 12 hunger and thirst, and
cause offences. And these spirits shall rise up against the children of men
and against the women, because they have proceeded from them.
What is the explanation of the origin of evil spirits?
Worldview Shared by
Jesus and His Contemporaries
Disobedient Spiritual Beings in Second-Temple Judaism
Version One: The Watchers and their Offspring
2 Enoch 18.4-6
Book of Jubilees 4.22; 8.3-4; 5.1-11.
Damascus Document (CD) 2.14-3.12a
4Q180-181 (The Ages of Creation)
Testament of Reuben 5:6
Testament of Naphtali 3.5
2 Baruch 56:12-13
Worldview Shared by
Jesus and His Contemporaries
Disobedient Spiritual Beings in Second-Temple Judaism
Version Two: Evil Spirits under the Authority of a Ruling Spirit
Book of Jubilees
“And they began making graven images and polluted likenesses. And cruel
spirits assisted them and led them astray so that they might commit sin
and pollution. And the prince Mastema, acted forcefully to do all this. And
he sent other spirits to those who were set under his hand to practice all
error and sin and all transgression, to destroy, to cause to perish and to
pour out blood upon the earth.” (Jub. 11.4-5)
How does prince Mastema and spirits under his control interact with
human beings?
Worldview Shared by
Jesus and His Contemporaries
Disobedient Spiritual Beings in Second-Temple Judaism
Version Two: Evil Spirits under the Authority of a Ruling Spirit
Qumran Sectarian Writings
• Belial and “the spirits of his lot” (passim)
• “The army of Belial” / “The troops of Belial" (1QM 1.1, 13)
• “You made Belial to corrupt, a hostile angel" (1QM 13.10-11).
• “Dominion of Belial” (1QS 1.18; 2.19; 1QM 14.9; 4QCat-a col. 3. 8 /
“Dominion of wickedness” (1QM 17.5-6; 4Q510 frg. 1. 6; 4Q511 frg.
10.5)
• “And all their sins, their iniquities, their guilt and their acts of rebellion
are because of his dominion.” (1QS 3.22)
In the Qumran sectarian texts, who is Belial and what does he do?
Worldview Shared by
Jesus and His Contemporaries
Disobedient Spiritual Beings in Second-Temple Judaism
Eschatological Removal of Satan and Evil Spirits
And jubilees will pass until Israel is purified from all the sin of fornication,
and defilement, and uncleanness, and sin and error. And they will dwell in
confidence in all the land. And then it will not have any Satan or any evil
(one). And the land will be purified from that time and forever. (Jub. 50:5)
What does the author foresee as the ultimate fate of Satan and other
evil spirits?
Jewish Accounts of Exorcisms
Outside of New Testament
Tobit
Tobit 6:2b The travelers walked till nightfall, and made camp beside the
Tigris River. 3 Now when the boy went down to wash his feet in the river,
a large fish suddenly leaped out of the water and tried to swallow his foot.
He shouted in alarm. 4 But the angel said to him, "Take hold of the fish
and don't let it get away!" The boy seized the fish and hauled it up on the
shore. 5 The angel then told him: "Cut the fish open and take out its gall,
heart, and liver, and keep them with you; but throw away the entrails. Its
gall, heart, and liver make useful medicines." 6 After the lad had cut the
fish open, he put aside the gall, heart, and liver. Then he broiled and ate
part of the fish; the rest he salted and kept for the journey. 7 Afterward
they traveled on together till they were near Media. The boy asked the
angel this question: "Brother Azariah, what medicinal value is there in the
fish's heart, liver, and gall?" 8 He answered: "As regards the fish's heart
and liver, if you burn them so that the smoke surrounds a man or a
woman who is afflicted by a demon or evil spirit, the affliction will leave
him completely, and no demons will ever return to him again. 9 And as
for the gall, if you rub it on the eyes of a man who has cataracts, blowing
into his eyes right on the cataracts, his sight will be restored."
Jewish Accounts of Exorcisms
Outside of New Testament
Tobit
6:14 Tobias objected, however: "Brother Azarias, I have heard that this
woman has already been married seven times, and that her husbands
died in their bridal chambers. On the very night they approached her,
they dropped dead. And I have heard it said that it was a demon who
killed them. 15 So now I too am afraid of this demon. Because he loves
her, he does not harm her; but he does slay any man who wishes to
come close to her. I am my father's only child. If I should die, I would
bring my father and mother down to their grave in sorrow over me. And
they have no other son to bury them!" 16 Raphael said to him: "Do you
not remember your father's orders? He commanded you to marry a
woman from your own family. So now listen to me, brother; do not give
another thought to this demon, but marry Sarah. I know that tonight you
shall have her for your wife! 17 When you go into the bridal chamber,
take the fish's liver and heart, and place them on the embers for the
incense. 18 As soon as the demon smells the odor they give off, he will
flee and never again show himself near her.
Jewish Accounts of Exorcisms
Outside of New Testament
Tobit
8:2 At this point Tobias, mindful of Raphael's instructions, took the
fish's liver and heart from the bag which he had with him, and placed
them on the embers for the incense. 3 The demon, repelled by the
odor of the fish, fled into Upper Egypt; Raphael pursued him there
and bound him hand and foot. Then Raphael returned immediately.
What are the features of exorcism as portrayed in the Book of Tobit?
Jewish Accounts of Exorcisms
Outside of New Testament
Josephus' Writings
Ant. 8.45 God also enabled him [Solomon] to learn that skill which
expels demons, which is a science useful and sanative to men. He
composed such incantations also by which distempers are alleviated.
And he left behind him the manner of using exorcisms, by which they
drive away demons, so that they never return; and this method of
cure is of great force unto this day."
How is Solomon interpreted in second-Temple Judaism?
Jewish Accounts of Exorcisms
Outside of New Testament
Josephus' Writings
Ant. 8.46-48: For I have seen a certain man of my own country, whose
name was Eleazar, releasing people that were demoniacal in the presence
of Vespasian, and his sons, and his captains, and the whole multitude of his
soldiers. The manner of the cure was this: He put a ring that had a root of
one of those sorts mentioned by Solomon to the nostrils of the demoniac,
after which he drew out the demon through his nostrils; and when the man
fell down immediately, he abjured him to return into him no more, making
still mention of Solomon, and reciting the incantations which he composed.
Jewish Accounts of Exorcisms
Outside of New Testament
Josephus' Writings
Ant. 8.46-48 (cont’d): And when Eleazar would persuade and demonstrate
to the spectators that he had such a power, he set a little way off a cup or
basin full of water, and commanded the demon, as he went out of the
man, to overturn it, and thereby to let the spectators know that he had left
the man; and when this was done, the skill and wisdom of Solomon was
shown very manifestly: for which reason it is, that all men may know the
vastness of Solomon's abilities, and how he was beloved of God, and that
the extraordinary virtues of every kind with which this king was endowed
may not be unknown to any people under the sun for this reason, I say, it
is that we have proceeded to speak so largely of these matters.
What does Josephus claim to have witnessed? How was Eleazar’s
exorcism done? How does Josephus interpret Solomon?
Jewish Accounts of Exorcisms
Outside of New Testament
Genesis Apocryphon (1QapGen) 20
That night God Most High sent him a pestilential spirit to afflict him and all
the men of his household, an evil spirit, that kept afflicting him and the men
of his household. He was not able to approach her, nor did he have sexual
intercourse with her, though he was with her for two years…. But now pray
for me and for my household that this evil spirit may be commanded (to
depart) from us and the spirit departed.
Gen 12:17 But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues
because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 Then Pharaoh called Abram and said,
“What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was
your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my
wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.” 20 Pharaoh
commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his
wife and all that belonged to him.
How is the Genesis account re-interpreted in Genesis Apocryphon?
Jewish Accounts of Exorcisms
Outside of New Testament
Songs of the Sage (4Q510-11)
And I, a Sage, declare the splendor of his [God’s] radiance in order to
frighten and terr[ify] all the spirits of the ravaging angels and the
bastard spirits, demons, Lillith, owls and [jackals...] and those who
strike unexpectedly to lead astray the spirit of knowledge, to make
their hearts forlorn"
"And as for me I spread the fear of God in the ages of my generations
to exalt the name [... and to terrify] with his power al[l] spirits of the
bastards, to subjugate them by his fear."
“The praises of justice and [ ... ] ... And through my mouth he startles
[all the spirits] of the bastards, to subjugate [all] impure [sin]ners."
How are demons said to react to hearing praises being given to God?
What kind of demons are identified?
Jewish Accounts of Exorcisms
Outside of New Testament
Apocryphal Psalms (III) (11Q11)
[An incan]tation in the name of YHW[H. Invoke at a]ny time ....
[When] he comes upon you in the nig[ht,] you shall [s]ay to him:
Who are you [oh offspring of] man and the seed of the ho[ly] ones?
Your face is the face of [delus]ion, and your horns are horns of
illu[si]on. You are darkness and not light [injus]tice and not justice. [
... ] the chief of the army. YHWH [will bring] you [down] [to the]
deepest [Sheo]l, [he will shut] the two bronze [ga]tes through
[which n]o light [penetrates] etc."
What is the technique outlined in this psalm for controlling demons?
Jewish Accounts of Exorcisms
Outside of New Testament
Book of Jubilees (10)
And we explained to Noah all the medicines of their diseases,
together with their seductions, how he might heal them with herbs of
the earth. And Noah wrote down all things in a book as we instructed
him concerning every kind of medicine. Thus the evil spirits were
precluded from (hurting) the sons of Noah.
According to Jubilees what does God give to Noah through angels in
order to control evil spirits?
Jewish Accounts of Exorcisms
Outside of New Testament
Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho
“But if any of you exorcize it in [the name of] the God of
Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, it
will perhaps be subject to you. Now assuredly your
exorcists, I have said, make use of proper technique when
they exorcize, even as the gentiles do, and employ
fumigations and incantations.”
What does Justin describe as the typical method used by Jewish
exorcists?
Phylactery
from Qumran
"To the Place of Trumpeting"
Jesus' Exorcisms
General References to Jesus as
Exorcist in the Synoptic Gospels
Mark 1:34: And Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He
also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons
speak because they knew who he was.
Mark 6:7: Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by
two and gave them authority over evil spirits.
Mark 3:10 For he had healed many, so that those with diseases
were pushing forward to touch him. 11 Whenever the evil spirits
saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the
Son of God."
Mark 1:33b: He also drove out many demons, but he would not
let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
How would you describe Jesus’ exorcist activity? What does Jesus
prevent demons from doing?
Jesus' Exorcisms
Specific Exorcisms in the Synoptic Gospels
Mark 1:21-28 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the
Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to
teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he
taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of
the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was
possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 "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!" 25 "Be quiet," said
Jesus sternly. "Come out of him." 26 The evil spirit shook the
man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 The people
were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A
new teaching—and with authority. He even gives orders to evil
spirits and they obey him." 28 News about him spread quickly
over the whole region of Galilee.
Jesus' Exorcisms
Specific Exorcisms in the Synoptic Gospels
Mark 9:17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is
possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes
him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and
becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
19 "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you?
How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." 20 So they brought him.
When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He
fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the
boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he
answered. 22 "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you
can do anything, take pity on us and help us." 23 "`If you can'?" said
Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." 24 Immediately the boy's
father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" 25 When Jesus
saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf
and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him
again." 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy
looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." 27 But Jesus took him
by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone
indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" 29 He
replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."
Jesus' Exorcisms
Jesus' Uniqueness as an Exorcist
You deaf and mute spirit ... I command you, come out of him
and never enter him again. (Mark 9:25)
Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.
(Mark 9:38-41)
He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and
gave them authority over the unclean spirits" (Mark 3:15; 6:7). When
they returned from being sent out to announce the Kingdom of God,
they marvelled that demons submitted to them because of Jesus:
"Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." (Luke 10:17)
He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him (Mark
1:27; Luke 4:36) / “The crowds were amazed, and were saying,
'Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel‘” (Matt 9:33).
What constitutes Jesus’ uniqueness as an exorcist?
Jesus' Exorcisms
Jesus' Uniqueness as an Exorcist
Jesus never uses secondary means in his exorcisms, such as
fumigations, rings, roots or herbs. Nor does Jesus use
incantations, liturgical prayers or specially-composed psalms
of praise as part of his exorcist practice.
Jesus' Exorcisms
Jesus' Uniqueness as an Exorcist
Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down
before Him and shout, "You are the son of God." (Mark 3:11)
Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down
before him; and shouting with a loud voice, he said, "What
business do we have with each other, Jesus, son of the
Most High God? I implore you by God, do not torment me."
(Mark 5:7)
How do demons respond to Jesus? What does this imply?
Jesus' Exorcisms
Jesus' Interpretation of his Exorcisms
The Beelzebul Controversy
Matt 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This
man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the
demons." 25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them,
"Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city
or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan
casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his
kingdom stand? 27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom
do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your
judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then
the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
What is the interpretation that Jesus gives to his exorcisms?
Jesus' Exorcisms
Jesus' Interpretation of his Exorcisms
The Stronger Man
Mark 3:27 But no one can enter the strong man's house and
plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man,
and then he will plunder his house.
Luke 11:21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his
own house, his possessions are undisturbed. 22 But when
someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him,
he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied
and distributes his plunder.
What point do both the versions of this saying make
concerning the significance of Jesus' exorcisms?
Jesus' Exorcisms
Jesus' Interpretation of his Exorcisms
“I Saw Satan Fall like Lightning”
Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said,
"Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18 He
replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I
have given you authority to trample on snakes and
scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy;
nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the
spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written
in heaven."
What does Jesus say about Satan in this passage?
Jesus' Exorcisms
Jesus' Interpretation of his Exorcisms
Bread for the Children
Mark 7:24-30 24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of
Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet
he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she
heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed
by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a
Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the
demon out of her daughter. 27 "First let the children eat all they
want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread
and toss it to their dogs." 28 "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even
the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." 29 Then he
told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your
daughter." 30 She went home and found her child lying on the
bed, and the demon gone.
What is the metaphor that Jesus uses to describe his exorcist
ministry? For whom is the benefit of exorcism intended?
Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit
Matt 12:31-32
31 Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be
forgiven human beings, but blasphemy against the Spirit
shall not be forgiven.
32 Whoever speaks a word against the son of man, it shall
be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy
Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the
age to come.