You Have Authority: How to Heal the Sick and Cast Out Demons in Jesus’ Name

Mark 3:10 says, “For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.”

The word “healed” once again is drawn from a form of the Greek word therapeuo. As we have seen time and again, this word gives us a picture of how Jesus regularly healed the sick. His approach involved much more than a simple touch or passing a blessing through the laying on of hands. Once He released healing power, He took time to work one by one with people, asking them to do some-thing — to cooperate with His directives or instructions — until the healing power manifested and they were healed. This strongly suggests that if we took more time with people and worked with them, we would see more healing results.

Furthermore, the Scripture notes that Jesus healed “many,” and this word is derived from the Greek word pollous, which implies a vast multitude. This denotes not just a handful, but a significantly large number of people who came to Jesus for a healing touch.

Verse 10 also says that people wanted to “touch” Him, and this word “touch” is translated from a form of the word haptomai, which denotes not just a touch, but a firm touch, and it tells us that people wanted to grab hold of Him long enough for the power to flow into them. The word “plagues” is translated from the plural Greek word mastigas, a form of mastix, which deserves commentary to better understand this affliction.

The Greek word mastigas — here translated “plagues” — is the word used to describe the beating action consistent with a Roman scourge. This brutal method of punishment was designed not to end a life but to torture the victim to the brink of death, only to then send him back to his cell or holding place. Often, after the victim had somewhat recovered, he would be dragged back to the whipping post to endure the gruesome ordeal of a scourge again, teetering on the edge of death after each beating, yet never crossing that threshold.

The word “plagues” thus metaphorically conveys the picture of an unending affliction that strikes repeatedly, never lethal, but ever tormenting the sufferer. This cyclical torment pictures ailments such as chronic migraines, persistent high blood pressure, or nagging allergies — conditions that ebb and flow, offering no true respite. The use of this word to describe certain diseases, illnesses, and sicknesses shows the masochistic nature of evil spirits. These entities crave more than just the act of affliction; they take a twisted delight in the anguish they impose on their tormented victims again and again.

In Mark 5:29, there is a vivid example of the word “plague” — from the Greek word mastigas — that is used to describe the woman with an issue of blood. This word characterizes the condition of relentless bleeding she endured for 12 years. Her ailment was not fatal, yet it persistently tormented her, like a chronic illness that battered her life repeatedly, casting her into an enduring state of distress. Understanding the Greek word mastigas — translated “plagues” — provides insight into this category of sickness that Jesus healed, as recorded in Mark chapter 3.

But Mark 3:11 also says, “And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.”

The words “unclean spirits” in Greek are ta pneumata ta akatharta, and as a phrase it means the spirits, the unclean ones. This phrase underscores the nasty and malevolent nature inherent in these spirits. All evil entities are inherently malevolent and sinister, and in this context, Mark specifically highlighted this repugnant aspect of their character.

The Scripture recounts that upon sensing the presence of Jesus, those spirits influencing suffering victims “cried.” The word “cried” is from a form of the Greek word kradzo, which can be translated as emitting a cry, a scream, or a shriek, similar to the response of one in a state of sheer panic. These spirits were aware that they were in jeopardy the moment they discerned Jesus standing before them.

Mark 3:12 says, “And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.”

Instead of letting these malevolent spirits steal the spotlight with a theatrical show, Jesus silenced them. While some might favor drawing demons into dialogue during exorcisms, Jesus typically commanded spirits to be silent. In fact, the New Testament records only a single occasion where He conversed with such an entity — an event we will encounter later in Mark 5:9.

Jesus Gave Authority to Heal the Sick and Cast Out Demons

In addition to ordaining His disciples to preach, Jesus gave them “power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils” (Mark 3:15).

The word “power” is a poor translation, for the actual Greek word is exousia, which denotes authority and influence that were, and are, effective over both physical illness and the demonic realm. However, it’s interesting to note that the King James Version includes the phrase “to heal sicknesses,” which is absent in the original Greek manuscript. There, the emphasis is solely on authority and influence in casting out demons. It’s probable that translators added “heal sicknesses” into the text because this phrase is also used in Matthew 10:1. So although it’s accurate that Jesus gave the disciples authority and influence to heal sicknesses, the original Greek text here focuses solely on casting out demonic forces.

The words “cast out” are once again interpreted from a form of the Greek word ekballo, which is a compound of the word ek and ballo. The word ek means out, and the word ballo means to cast, hurl, or throw. As we have seen before, the word ekballo conveys the idea of forcefully expelling or evicting, reminiscent of a landlord who evicts an unwelcome tenant from his dwelling. This underscores that Jesus endued the apostles — and us — with authority so influential that we can remove any malevolent spirits from the afflicted in His name. The plural form of “devils” in this context indicates that we possess such influential authority over every form of evil spirit, irrespective of their nature or classification.

Think About It

Picture the analogy of a local police officer directing traffic using city-backed authority versus using his own strength to physically stop and redirect moving cars. Similarly, Jesus didn’t physically wrest demons from those who were afflicted — His words and authority carried the divine influence to excise those spirits by the power of the Holy Spirit. Since Jesus as the Head of the Church authorized and commissioned the Church just as He commissioned the 12 disciples, what will your posture be next time you have to “cast out” a demon that’s afflicting someone? Use the definition of exousia to explain your answer.

The words “cast out” are from a form of the Greek word ekballo, a compound of ek, meaning out, and the word ballo, which means to cast, to hurl, or to throw. It pictures forcefully expelling or evicting something or someone, similar to a landlord evicting an unwelcome tenant. Consider the typical legal eviction process once the notice is given. Name some similarities, comparing a tenant’s expulsion from a property to a demon’s notice that it must leave the premises. (Hint: Think about the “landlord’s” legal authority that leaves no room for the “tenant” to exercise his will to remain at the location.)