Topical Encyclopedia
The term "demon-possessed" refers to individuals who are believed to be under the control or influence of demonic spirits. This condition is depicted in various passages throughout the New Testament, where Jesus and His disciples encounter and deliver those afflicted by such spirits. The concept of demon possession is integral to understanding the spiritual warfare depicted in the Bible, highlighting the conflict between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness.
Biblical Accounts:1.
Gadarene Demoniac (Matthew 8:28-34;Mark 5:1-20;Luke 8:26-39): One of the most detailed accounts of demon possession is the account of the Gadarene demoniac. In
Mark 5:2-5 , it is described: "As soon as Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a man with an unclean spirit, who came from the tombs. This man had been living in the tombs and could no longer be restrained, even with chains. Though he was often bound with chains and shackles, he had broken the chains and shattered the shackles. Now no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day in the tombs and in the mountains, he kept crying out and cutting himself with stones." Jesus commands the unclean spirits to leave the man, and they enter a herd of pigs, which then rush into the sea and drown.
2.
Boy with a Mute Spirit (Mark 9:14-29): Another significant account is the healing of a boy possessed by a mute spirit. In
Mark 9:25 , Jesus rebukes the spirit: "When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit. 'You deaf and mute spirit,' He said, 'I command you to come out and never enter him again.'" The spirit convulses the boy violently and leaves him, demonstrating Jesus' authority over demonic forces.
3.
Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2): Mary Magdalene is noted as having been delivered from seven demons.
Luke 8:2 states, "And also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out."
Characteristics and Symptoms:The New Testament provides various symptoms associated with demon possession, including physical ailments, mental disturbances, and supernatural strength. Individuals may exhibit behaviors such as self-harm, convulsions, and an aversion to holy things. The possessed often recognize Jesus' divine authority, as seen in
Mark 1:24 , where a demon-possessed man in the synagogue cries out, "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!"
Jesus' Authority Over Demons:Central to the New Testament narrative is Jesus' authority over demonic forces. His ability to cast out demons is a testament to His divine power and the inauguration of God's kingdom. In
Matthew 12:28 , Jesus states, "But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." This authority is also extended to His disciples, as seen in
Luke 10:17 : "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, 'Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.'"
Theological Implications:Demon possession underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the presence of evil in the world. It serves as a reminder of the fallen state of creation and the ongoing battle between good and evil. The deliverance of demon-possessed individuals by Jesus and His followers illustrates the transformative power of the Gospel and the ultimate victory of Christ over Satan and his minions.
Practical Considerations:In contemporary Christian practice, the topic of demon possession is approached with caution and discernment. While some traditions emphasize the ongoing reality of demonic influence, others interpret these accounts as symbolic of spiritual and psychological struggles. Regardless, the New Testament encourages believers to rely on prayer, faith, and the authority of Jesus' name in confronting spiritual darkness.
Greek
1139. daimonizomai -- to be possessed by a demon... by a demon. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: daimonizomai Phonetic Spelling:
(dahee-mon-id'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I am
demon-
possessed Definition: I
...Library
Conclusion
... is also careful to tell us in the opening verse of his Gospel that Jesus Christ
was "the Son of God," as he also informs us that thedemon-possessed man from...
Healing a Phoenician Woman's Daughter.
... faint (Luke 18:1-8). The woman's experience has been often repeated by other parents
who have prayed for children which, if notdemon-possessed, was certainly...
The Powers of Darkness
... About six months later we were fetched by special messenger from a village where
we were staying, to see this girl who was said to bedemon possessed....
Healing Peter's Mother-In-Law and Many Others.
... 10). The Sabbath closed at sundown ( Leviticus 23:32). The distinction is
drawn between the sick and thedemon-possessed. Lightfoot...
Dissolving views.
... spent in His adopted home-town Capernaum, had been a very busy day for Him, teaching
in the synagogue service, the interruption by ademon-possessed man, the...
The Manner in which Christ Served.
... In Luke 9 we read of the father who sought out the Lord Jesus on behalf of his
demon-possessed son, and in healing him we read, "And Jesus rebuked the unclean...
"Art Thou He?"
... He bestowed sight." Through the long hours of the day, the disciples stood in the
crowd, while the pitiable train of sick anddemon-possessed passed before the...
Paul and his Praying
... they were going to that protracted prayer meeting that Paul performed the miracle
of casting the devil of divination out of a poordemon-possessed girl, who...
Mark.
... (6) List all references to demons and todemon possessed people and study their
nature, the nature of their work, their power, wisdom, etc....
Various Experiences in Gospel Work
... into my soul. Thedemon-possessed man came along with us, growling and whining
like a dog, and making other strange noises. He kept...
Thesaurus
Demon-possessed (16 Occurrences)Demon-
possessed. Demonology,
Demon-
possessed. Demon-possession .
Multi-Version Concordance
Demon-
possessed (16 Occurrences).
...Sceva (1 Occurrence)
... But (Acts 19:16) thedemon-possessed man over-powered "both of them." Textus Receptus
of the New Testament gets over the difficulty by omitting "both," but...
Demon-possession (1 Occurrence)
Demon-possession.Demon-possessed, Demon-possession. Demons . Multi-Version
Concordance...Demon-possessed, Demon-possession. Demons . Reference Bible.
Mute (29 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mute (29 Occurrences). Matthew 9:32 As they went out,
behold, a mute man who wasdemonpossessed was brought to him. (WEB NAS)....
Possessed (100 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NIV). Matthew 9:32 As they went out, behold, a mute man who
wasdemonpossessed was brought to him. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS NIV)....
Behold (1513 Occurrences)
... RSV). Matthew 9:32 As they went out, behold, a mute man who wasdemonpossessed
was brought to him. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV). Matthew...
Demonology
Demon (26 Occurrences)
... Demon (26 Occurrences). Matthew 9:32 As they went out, behold, a mute man who was
demonpossessed was brought to him. (WEB WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Resources
Can a Christian be demon possessed? Can a Christian be demonized? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are there two demon-possessed men in the Gerasene tombs in Matthew, but only one in Mark and Luke? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about demon possession / demonic possession? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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