Understanding Demonic Influence in the Gospel of Mark

By Elizabeth Prata

We are going thorugh the book of Mark in our church. Our teaching pastor recently preached on Mark 5:1-20. it’s the incident of the Gadarene Demoniac. The man in the Bible had a Legion of demons in him. A Roman legion had up to 6000 soldiers. The man didn’t necessarily have 6000 demons in him, in fact it’s more likely he had around 2000, but still.

Demons are fallen angels. These are the angels who rebelled against God and followed satan. They are totally depraved, sinful, and out to do as much damage as they can on the earth to all people, but especially to God’s people.

The demons are present on earth always, but seem to have been more highly active in three great waves. They were particularly active around the time of Moses, during the Elijah-Elisha period, and when Jesus walked the earth. In the future, they will be highly active during the prophesied Tribulation period. Demons are also called ‘unclean spirits’.

In the New Testament, we read of the demons and their activity more times than one may remember. It is a big topic, especially in the Gospel of Mark. A demon became agitated when Jesus taught in the synagogue, and the man the demon was inhabiting shouted, “saying, “What business do you have with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are: the Holy One of God!”“( Mark 1:24).

The Gadarene legion of demons in the man called out “Jesus, Son of the Most High God.” (Mark 5:7). This title was used by both Jews and Gentiles to distinguish the one true God from the false gods. The titles the demons used to speak to Jesus, Most High God and Holy One of God are acknowledgements from the fallen, unholy angels that they know exactly who Jesus is. Even if the crowds didn’t or even the disciples.

The demons used the highest name for Jesus, they know who He is and how holy He is.

After that incident, Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. (Mark 1:32-34).

‘all those who were demon-possessed’… ‘cast out many demons’. Hmm, sounds like a plague of demons were abounding. In Mark 3:14-15 there is an important verse, don’t gloss over it when you’re reading:

And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, 15and to have authority to cast out the demons.

Jesus appointed them to preach AND to show they had authority over the demons.

That is a key thought. They had authority. So did Paul. (Acts 16:16-18, Acts 19:11-12). This was to authenticate their message. Remember the demon-possessed slave girl? She had a spirit of divination, and she annoyed Paul for many days. He busted that spirit out of her. He “said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.” (Acts 16:16-18).

Do you remember that Jesus appointed 72 to go forth and preach and heal etc? They came back jubilant. Now the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!” (Luke 10:17).

The apostles, including Paul, and the 72, had been given authority by Jesus – “The Holy One of God” – to exorcise demons. And they did. Demons were busting out all over the place by those who were given that authority.

Charlatans abound in every era and in every religion. There were false prophets, false healers, and false exorcists. These exorcists roved from town to town, plying their trade. Casting out demons is mentioned in Matthew 12:27; and Mark 9:38.

Copycat exorcists, hoping to profit from the excitement created by Paul’s ministry, sprung up around Ephesus. The book of Acts records that some groups successfully invoked the names of Jesus and Paul in their exorcisms, possibly receiving financial rewards (though this is not mentioned in Acts). Source Lexham Bible Dictionary.

But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, “I order you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches!” Acts 19:13).

Demon deliverance was a thing. Even some who were not believers seem to have been successful at times in getting a demon out. Luke 7:21-23 shows some people pleading with Jesus to allow them into heaven, because they did miracles and works and cast out demons.

Pharaoh’s magicians were able to counterfeit some miracles- up to a point. And in Matthew 24:24 we are warned- For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Satan and his fallen demons are active and powerful.

Then the scene narrows in to one particular instance- Now we come to a funny scene.

It seems that there was a Chief Priest named Sceva who had 7 sons. Acutely aware that Paul was earning much notice with the people, these 7 brothers tried to copycat, at least where demons were concerned. These Jewish demon busters tried to get a demon out of a man. The demon inside didn’t budge but then asked the Jewish itinerant exorcists,

But the evil spirit responded and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know of Paul, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15).

Then the demon possessed man leaped on the 7 brothers and beat them up until they left the house howling, bloody, and naked.

The Sons of Sceva tried to cast the demon out but instead the demon cast the Sons of Sceva out!

You might be thinking, ‘one against seven? The odds are in favor of the brothers, aren’t they?’ No. Demons are mighty. They are angels after all, fallen and unholy, but still powerful. An angel is going to stand on the sun (Revelation 19:17). Four angels are going to stand on the 4 corners of the earth and hold back the 4 winds. (Revelation 7:1). The Gadarene demoniac was so strong he broke chains and no one could contain him.

A Christian cannot be demon-possessed. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit. We are given armor of God to protect us, (Ephesians 6:11–17) and we are supposed to resist the devil and he will flee from us. (James 4:7).

So, how are unbelievers successful in casting out demons if they do not have the authority from Jesus nor even belief in Him? Catholics are famous in secular literature for their supposed expertise in exorcisms.

Demons are real. Satan is real. However, Satan is a master trickster and the father of lies (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:14). A demon’s ability to lure gullible human beings into its traps often exceeds our ability to detect the traps (2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Peter 5:8). If it would serve its purpose to hide within a human body, a demon might do that. Or, if it would serve its purpose to pretend to come out on command, it might do that, too. Satan could very well participate with an unsaved exorcist in order to inflate the exorcist’s pride and boost confidence in his power over evil. Source GotQuestions

I find the topic of demons fascinating. I believe there are demons around today and inhabit unsaved people. We are not so scientifically advanced as to disbelieve the reality of satan and his minions operating on the earth, second heaven, and third heaven. But though it is a legitimate topic of study in Systematic Theology, (see links below), I think that focusing too much on demons will take our eyes off Jesus. Keeping our eyes on him through His word and prayer is the best practice. We will meet the holy angels one day, and we will see the judgment of the unholy angels. What a day that will be.

Further Resources

“Spiritism” sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Synopsis- ” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks across Scripture to help the listener understand the general activity, as well as the particular operations of evil and malevolent spiritual forces in the world. This sermon on demonology helpfully classifies the outworking of occult activity in its ancient and modern forms.”

The Doctrine of Satan and Demons: Wayne Grudem (outline)
The  following  is an outline from Wayne Grudem for chapter 20 of his book, Systematic Theology, dealing with Satan and Demons. There are three teachings on this chapter located elsewhere on this website.

Angels and Demons– Ligonier Ministry (23 minute video). “If we claim to believe what the Bible teaches, then we must take the existence of angels and demons seriously. In this message, R.C. Sproul turns to the teaching of Scripture on the role of these spirits and the reality of Satan.”