Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | 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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 8:16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons; and He cast out the evil spirits with a word, and restored to health all who were sick [exhibiting His authority as Messiah], |
Bible Question: I note your answer, but in review of the original question, wherein does the Bible support the idea that demons are around and still possess people? --Hank |
Bible Answer: This seems an odd question, Hank, but I'm sure there must be something behind it. The reverse seems a more logical question. Is there anything in Scripture clearly indicating that demon possession was ended at some specific time in the past? If not, then such possession -- which was present from the time of Satan possessing the serpent and continued in the time of Christ and into the ministry of Paul -- would most naturally be assumed to continue until something happens to remove it fully. The onus for evidence lies on the opposite side of the question. Is there any Biblical evidence that demons were removed permanently at some prior time? This is separate from the question of doctrinal abuse in seeing, naming, or challenging demons in every unhappy situation or toward everyone who dares to disagree with any given teacher-exhorcist's strongly held views. Nevertheless, the need for evidence lies more squarely and logically on the shoulders of the one who would claim demon possession to have ceased than the one who claims it to continue as it did for millennia in recorded Biblical history. |