Overview
The Bible addresses demons across 28 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Mark, Acts and 1 Kings. Closely related themes include Satan, Ephesus, Miracles and Sceva. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Paul.
Key Bible verses about demons
Old Testament
1 Kings
And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
New Testament
Matthew
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Mark
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said He hath Beelzebub and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
Verily I say unto you All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Acts
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.
And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
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.
1 Corinthians
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
Revelation
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
People in the Bible and demons
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying demons for yourself
- Begin with 1 Kings 22:21, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Mark, Acts and 1 Kings each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus and Paul and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Satan, Ephesus, Miracles and Sceva.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about demons?
The Bible addresses demons across 28 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Mark, Acts and 1 Kings. Closely related themes include Satan, Ephesus, Miracles and Sceva. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Paul.
How many Bible verses are about demons?
The Bible references demons in 28 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention demons?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 1 Kings 22:21: “And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with demons?
Jesus and Paul.
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