And interestingly, not only that, they knew His current history of coming out of Nazareth. This tells us that the demons would have been watching and reporting to each other, and discussing strategy...
(Mark 1:21-27) They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22 They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
In Luke's report on this same event, we see that demons probably often physically harm people. But on this occasion when Jesus cast out the demon, the person was left "unharmed" (otherwise Luke would not have bothered to mention this fact)...
(Luke 4:35) But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm.
Jesus is able to cast out demons with just a word...
(Matthew 8:16) When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill.
Jesus is able to keep demons from saying certain things...
(Mark 1:32-34) When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
As part of Jesus' ministry, He went throughout the country of Israel...
(Mark 1:39) ...He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
(Mark 3:10-11) for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him. 11 Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!”
Although Jesus' main focus was the Israelites, Jesus also helped the gentiles. This one event is recorded in two of the four gospels.
In Matthew's report, we see that a woman's daughter was cruelly demon-possessed...
(Matthew 15:21-22) Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.”
In Mark's report, we see that the daughter was just a little girl.
What is also important to note is that Jesus was able to cast out the demon without physically being there...
(Mark 7:25) ...after hearing of Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet.
(Matthew 15:23-28) But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” 24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26 And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.
(Mark 7:29-30) And He said to her, “Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left.
The fact that Jesus was able to heal people, as well as cast out demons - because the demons have to obey Jesus - is proof to the Israelites that Jesus is their Messiah, and He is the Lord of hosts...
(Luke 7:20-23) When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’” 21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”
From this we see:
- demons are able to possess people (Mark 1:23, Luke 4:33)
- demons can possess little children (Mark 7:25)
- many people were possessed (Matthew 8:16, Mark 3:11)
- demons can cause people to have seizures (Mark 1:26, Luke 4:35)
- demons can cause people physical harm, if allowed (Luke 4:35)
- demons can be cruel to people (Matthew 15:22)
- demons recognize and know Jesus from heaven (Mark 1:24, 3:11, Luke 4:34)
- the demon knew of Jesus' recent history on earth, which means the demons would have been watching and giving reports, and discussing strategy together (Mark 1:24, Luke 4:34)
- part of Jesus' ministry was casting out demons (Mark 1:39)
- Jesus' ability to heal people, as well as cast out demons (because demons have to obey Jesus), is proof that He is the Messiah, the Lord God of hosts (Luke 7:20-22)
- demons must obey Jesus (Mark 1:27, Luke 4:36)
- Jesus can cast out demons with just a word (Matthew 8:16)
- Jesus can cast out demons without even "being there" (Matthew 15:28, Mark 7:29-30)
- Jesus can keep the demons from saying certain things (Mark 1:25, 34, Luke 4:35)
Personal experience: it makes sense that my younger brother (the one that used to be involved in the occult) would get so angry at the rest of us. And although he seemed to experience a greater agitation on Sunday mornings when we'd all go to church, he seemed to be less angry for the rest of that day.
Today's takeaway: having Jesus as our personal Savior is why we then have authority over the demons. And the more Christ-like we are, the sooner and better the demons are able to recognize Jesus reflected in us...
(Ephesians 5:1-10) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
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