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The Historic Faith
Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About Exorcism And Evil Spirits

Early Christians widely taught that evil spirits were real, that Jesus drove them out, and that Christians could cast them out in Jesus’ name. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, Cyprian, and the Apostolic Constitutions all describe exorcism as a real Christian practice, not just a symbol. The strongest and most repeated theme is that Christ has authority over demons and that believers pray for deliverance from their power.

The evidence is broad across the 2nd and 3rd centuries, though some cards are only background or repeat Bible passages rather than adding new teaching.

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Key Passages

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How to Study Exorcism And Evil Spirits

A tighter path from the primary text into context and application.

Start with the clearest command or anchor text Read the primary passage in context before building doctrine from supporting references.
Trace the apostolic pattern Compare how the apostles preached, practiced, warned, and applied this topic in the churches.
Connect to witness and formation Use early Christian sources, courses, lessons, and discussion questions only after the Bible map is clear.
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Scripture Map

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26 references

Foundation Texts

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:

directly says Jesus cast out spirits with a word

And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,

direct unclean devil exorcism episode

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.

states Jesus gave authority over unclean spirits

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

explicit exorcist formula in Acts 19

So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

says evil spirits went out from people through apostolic ministry

Supporting Passages

And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.

Jesus casting out a demon and the mute speaking

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.

Jesus cast out many demons and silenced them

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

many unclean spirits came out with loud voice in Acts

And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

states he cast out demons in synagogues

And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

unclean spirit came out after Jesus’ command

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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

(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.)

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.

says those troubled with unclean spirits were healed

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

synagogue man with an unclean spirit

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out

And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

Gadarene exorcism scene

And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when he 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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

states Jesus healed those oppressed by the devil