Reference: Exorcist
Easton
(Ac 19:13). "In that sceptical and therefore superstitious age professional exorcist abounded. Many of these professional exorcists were disreputable Jews, like Simon in Samaria and Elymas in Cyprus (Ac 8:9; 13:6)." Other references to exorcism as practised by the Jews are found in Mt 12:27; Mr 9:38; Lu 9:49-50. It would seem that it was an opinion among the Jews that miracles might be wrought by invoking the divine name. Thus also these "vagabond Jews" pretended that they could expel daemons.
The power of casting out devils was conferred by Christ on his apostles (Mt 10:8), and on the seventy (Lu 10:17-19), and was exercised by believers after his ascension (Mr 16:17; Ac 16:18); but this power was never spoken of as exorcism.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Cure the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason, they shall be your judges.
And John answered him and said: Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name, and he does not follow us: and we forbade him, because he does not follow us.
And these signs shall attend those who believe. In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
And John answered and said: Master, we saw a certain one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us. And Jesus said to him: Forbid him not; for whoever is not against us, is for us.
And the seventy returned with joy, and said: Lord, even the demons are subject to us through thy name. And he said to them: I saw Satan, like lightning from heaven, falling. read more. Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and authority over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
But there was a certain man, named Simon, who had, be fore this time, been practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, saying that he was some great one;
And having gone through the island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was Bar-jesus;
And this she continued to do for many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit: I command you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.
And some of the roving Jews, who were exorcists, under took to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying: I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.
Smith
Exorcist,
one who pretends to expel evil spirits by conjuration, prayers and ceremonies. Exorcism was frequently practiced among the Jews.
David, by playing skillfully on a harp, procured the temporary departure of the evil spirit which troubled Saul.
The power of casting out devils was bestowed by Christ while on earth upon the apostles,
and the seventy disciples
Lu 10:17-19
and was, according to his promise,
exercised by believers after his ascension.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Cure the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason, they shall be your judges.
And these signs shall attend those who believe. In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
And this she continued to do for many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit: I command you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.
And some of the roving Jews, who were exorcists, under took to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying: I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.