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
cleanse the leprous, raise the dead, cast out demons; and as ye have received freely, freely give.
And if I cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub, by whom do your own people cast them out? wherefore they shall be your judges:
But John answered Him and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name, who doth not follow us; and we forbade him, because he followeth not us.
And these signs shall accompany them that believe; in my name shall they cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues;
And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name, and we forbad him, because he followeth not thee with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not; for he, that is not against us, is for us.
And the seventy returned with joy saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan, as lightning, falling from heaven. read more. Behold I give you power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the might of the enemy; and nothing shall at all hurt you.
But there was before in the city a man named Simon practising magic and bewitching the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great person.
And going quite through the island even to Paphos, they found there a certain magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus.
And this she did for many days. But Paul being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.
Then some of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name the name of the Lord Jesus over those that had evil spirits, saying, "We adjure you by 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
cleanse the leprous, raise the dead, cast out demons; and as ye have received freely, freely give.
And if I cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub, by whom do your own people cast them out? wherefore they shall be your judges:
And these signs shall accompany them that believe; in my name shall they cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues;
And this she did for many days. But Paul being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.
Then some of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name the name of the Lord Jesus over those that had evil spirits, saying, "We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth."