Contemplative Bible Reading

Matthew 12:25-29 (New International Version)

²⁵ Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. ²⁶ And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.²⁷ And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. ²⁸ But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.²⁹ For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.

Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees here. Note verse 27:

And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said.

The Pharisees had their own exorcists. These exorcists cast out demons, too.

Did all these demons give up and leave earth? Are they still here? These are difficult questions for many of us as we don’t like to think about spiritual beings among us in our age of enlightenment or post-modernism or whatever age we are in this week.

Still, it happened in the time of Jesus, and Jesus was not the only one casting out demons.