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
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons; freely ye received, freely give.
And if I cast out the demons through Beelzebul, through whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore shall they be judges of you.
John said to him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name who followeth not us; and we forbade him, because he did not follow us.
And these signs will accompany believers: In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
And John answering said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name, and we forbade him, because he doth not follow in our company. But Jesus said to him, Forbid him not; for he that is not against you is for you.
And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in thy name. And he said to them, I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. read more. Lo! I have given you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the might of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
But before their arrival a certain man, named Simon, was in the city, a man practising sorcery, and amazing the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was some great person;
And when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magian, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was Barjesus,
And this she did for many days. But Paul, being much displeased, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out immediately.
Then some of the wandering Jewish exorcists undertook to name over those who had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by that Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
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
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons; freely ye received, freely give.
And if I cast out the demons through Beelzebul, through whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore shall they be judges of you.
And these signs will accompany believers: In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
And this she did for many days. But Paul, being much displeased, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out immediately.
Then some of the wandering Jewish exorcists undertook to name over those who had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by that Jesus whom Paul preacheth.