He Cast Out Devils

In the angel’s words to King Benjamin we read this of the then-future mission of Christ: “And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men” (Mosiah 3:6).  Nephi had seen something similar in his vision that was guided by an angel.  He recounted, “And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits” (1 Nephi 11:31).   Both of these prophets predicted that a major part of Christ’s mission would be to cast out devils and evil spirits from among men.  Certainly this is well documented in the four Gospels, and I thought I would take a look at the different recordings of this that we have in the New Testament.  

                I was surprised to see how many references there are by the Gospel writers to Jesus casting out devils and evil spirits.  The accounts show that He did this often and to numerous people.  There are several references to a general casting out of devils among the people.  Near the beginning of His ministry we read, “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 lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matt. 4:24).  On another occasion, “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” (Matt. 8:16).  Mark told us, “He healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils….  And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils” (Mark 1:34, 39).   Luke wrote of an occasion where He similarly cast out many unclean spirits: “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” (Luke 4:40-41).  From these few references we see that the number of people that Christ cured from evil spirits must have been enormous.  It was an essential part of His merciful ministry.   

                Several other more well-known stories in the Gospels show specific individuals who were healed of unclean spirits by Him.  We know that Jesus “cast seven devils” out of Mary Magdalene at some point (Mark 16:9).  A woman of Canaan came to Him on one occasion saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.”  Even though His mortal mission was not to be to the Gentiles, because her faith was so strong He healed her daughter and she “was made whole from that very hour” (Matt. 15:22, 28).  Another time a father came to Him in desperation saying, “Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.  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….  And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father” (Luke 9:38-39, 42).  Perhaps the most dramatic was the story of the two in the “country of Gergesenes” who were possessed with devils and were “coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.”  Jesus cast out the devils 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” (Matt. 8:28, 32).  The Savior’s power of evil spirits was so great that “the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel” (Matt. 9:33). 

                I have to think that if there were that many evil spirits to be cast out of people in that day, there can only be more today.  It’s not something that we discuss frequently but it is still a documented part of church history that such healings happen in our day like in days of old (see here for example).  Perhaps on a broader scale these numerous almost repetitive stories about Christ’s power of evil spirits should inspire us to trust Him to help us.  We all have anxiety, angst, fear, discouragement, guilt, unease, pain, remorse, worry, and a host of other negative feelings that are a part of mortality and with which we do battle.  Whether or not these actually come from evil spirits is much less important than the fact that Christ can and has conquered them all.  Like in these stories, though, to be healed and helped in our own lives we must come to Him with the same intensity of faith as those made whole anciently.