Possessed with Devils #11

Thursday, October 16, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

There is a strange or unexpected narrative regarding exorcism featured in Matthew chapter 17, Mark chapter 9, and Luke chapter 9. Although the apostles had been granted power to cast out devils, they were unable to do so here! We will read Matthew’s account.

“And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:14-21; cf. Mark 9:17-29; Luke 9:38-42).

Draw your attention to the “mountain” of Matthew 17:20. A mountain in Scripture can symbolize a kingdom, as in Daniel 2:35,44,45; it represents a kingdom in Matthew 17:20 also. While Satan has a kingdom in that he reigns in the Earth in and through possessed Israel, the Lord’s disciples have been granted God’s power to cast out devils (which facilitates the arrival of God’s kingdom on the Earth). Here, the disciples are in unbelief, which divorced them from God’s influence….

Possessed with Devils #10

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

As Jesus Christ healed sickness and cast out devils, so He commissioned Apostles and other preachers to do the same as they too proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom. “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease…. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:1,7,8).

“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:…” (Mark 3:14,15). “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;…” (Mark 6:7). “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;…” (Mark 16:17).

“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:1,2). “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:17-20).

Since “the Jews require a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22), those two chief signs accompanied the proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom with both Christ and His preachers….

Possessed with Devils #9

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

As Israel was captive to sin and Satan (pictured by Egypt and Pharaoh), the LORD God commissioned Moses to heal sickness and handle serpents in Exodus chapter 4. Similarly, Father God sent Jesus Christ to redeem Israel yet again—for, the Jewish people had allowed themselves to be contaminated with false religion or devil worship during the 15 centuries between Moses and John the Baptist. Christ therefore healed the sick and cast out devils.

Notice what the Bible remarks about Mary Magdalene. “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils” (Mark 16:9). “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,…” (Luke 8:2). “Mary” in Hebrew is “Miriam,” meaning “rebellious.” She represents sinful Israel, filled with devils to maximum capacity (seven is the Bible’s number of completion). Yet, Jesus Christ (“Anointed Saviour”) cured Mary Magdalene of both her sin-problem (“infirmities”) and her devil-problem (“evil spirits… seven devils”). She represents Israel’s kingdom restoration and glorification in the ages to come.

Observe: “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. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee” (Mark 1:23-28; cf. Luke 4:33-37). Father God wants Israel to be cleansed of her spiritual filthiness, so the Lord Jesus works with Him in doing just that….

Possessed with Devils #8

Monday, October 13, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Two obstacles stop Israel from becoming God’s kingdom of priests who fulfill His will in the Earth—a sin-problem (symbolized by physical illness) and a devil-problem (devil possession). By performing miraculous demonstrations (healing the sick and casting out devils) as He preaches the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Lord Jesus Christ proves He can deliver Israel from both dilemmas. Few ever realize Moses’ own ministry 15 centuries prior was a pattern for Christ’s earthly ministry.

“And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow. And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign” (Exodus 4:1-8).

For Israel’s sake, Moses is given the power to heal leprosy (various skin diseases, which represent sin) and handle snakes (a picture of Satan, devil possession and exorcism)….

Possessed with Devils #7

Sunday, October 12, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

In addition to the devil-possessed men of Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-19, and Luke 8:26-39; there is a second record of exorcism connected to the Sermon on the Mount (Christ’s Kingdom Constitution). We refer to Matthew 9:32-34: “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.” Observe that, as Christ drives out evil spirits, He encounters more antagonism from Israel’s unbelieving religious leaders.

Look at the verse just prior to today’s Scripture: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Exorcism is connected to the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom.“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand [near, within grasp]” (Matthew 3:1,2). “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14,15).

Although apostate, Christ-rejecting, unbelieving Israel did not know what the God of the Bible was doing during Matthew to John, Satan and his angelic armies were well aware of it. Their goal was simply to contaminate the people of Israel and the land of Israel, that the kingdom of God be prevented from being founded in the Earth. Hence, the Bible refers to devils as “unclean spirits.” Think of strongholds or fortresses, situated to defend one’s territory. Satan had people possessed with devils scattered throughout the land of Canaan in order to pollute the Jewish nation and their earthly abode….

Possessed with Devils #6

Saturday, October 11, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Having looked at the records of Matthew chapter 8 and Mark chapter 5, finish the Luke chapter 8 account by reading verses 34-39: “When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.”

The Sermon on the Mount, delivered in Matthew chapters 5–7, is known as “Christ’s Kingdom Constitution.” It explains in great detail how the nation Israel will function once it rises to kingdom glory in the ages to come. The Holy Spirit through Matthew then inserts into the biblical record the narratives of 10 specific miracles (documented in chapters 8 and 9), different ways in which God’s power will bring Israel to that point of serving as His kingdom of priests in the Earth. Christ’s casting out devils in Matthew chapter 8 (comparable to Mark chapter 5 and Luke chapter 8) is just one of these miraculous demonstrations….

Possessed with Devils #5

Friday, October 10, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Read about the man possessed with devils of Mark 5:6-19: “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 [command] 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.

“And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 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, (they were about two thousand; ) and were choked in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

“And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”

Now, go back to Luke’s account….

Possessed with Devils #4

Thursday, October 9, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Recall Matthew 8:28,29; Mark 5:1-5; and Luke 8:26-29; which took place on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Strangely, two devil-possessed men live as hermits in tombs; Mark and Luke isolate one. These men are said to be “exceeding fierce” (quite dangerous, savage, violent, or brutal). People are afraid of them. The evil spirits actually address the Lord, “What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” They want to be left alone, and Christ’s very presence makes them feel threatened and uncomfortable.

Matthew 8:30-34: “And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.”

Luke 8:30-33: “And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.”

However, let us see how Mark supplies the most detail….

Possessed with Devils #3

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Go to Matthew 8:28,29: “And when he [the Lord Jesus Christ] was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes [eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee], there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”

Mark 5:1-5 isolates one of the two men: “And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he [Christ] 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: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.”

Luke 8:26-29, like Mark, concentrates on one of the two men: “And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. And when he [the Lord] went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)”

There is more….

Possessed with Devils #2

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Acts 10:38 says how the Lord Jesus Christ, in Matthew to John, went about “healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” This would have included exorcisms, such as today’s Scripture and other general passages.

“When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:…” (Matthew 8:16). “And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him…. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils (Mark 1:32-34,39). “…And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God” (Mark 3:11). “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ” (Luke 4:40,41).

“And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed” (Luke 6:18). “And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected” (Luke 13:32). Then, there are several specific miracles of casting out evil spirits, which records provide us with even more information as to what is taking place with devil possession….