What Old Testament passages relate to Jesus' power over demons? Setting the Scene in Matthew 8:31 “So the demons begged Jesus, ‘If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’” The demons know who is in charge. Their request reveals that Jesus holds absolute authority over the unseen realm. The Ancient Promise of a Demon-Defeating Savior • Genesis 3:15 — “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” – From page one of Scripture, God pledges a coming Seed who will crush the serpent—Satan himself. Matthew 8 shows that the promised Crusher has arrived. Psalms That Anticipate Victory over Spiritual Enemies • Psalm 91:13 — “You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.” – The Messiah walks unharmed where demons lurk—exactly what we see at Gadara. • Psalm 110:1 — “The LORD said to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’” – Demons falling at Jesus’ feet in the Gospels preview the ultimate footstool moment. • Psalm 68:18 — “When You ascended on high, You led captives in Your train; You received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.” – Paul applies this to Christ’s victory parade (Ephesians 4:8). Every exorcism hints at that coming procession. Prophetic Portraits of the Liberator • Isaiah 9:6-7 — “For unto us a child is born… the government will be upon His shoulders.” – Government includes dominion over every rogue spirit. • Isaiah 11:4 — “He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.” – A word from Jesus and the demons scatter. • Isaiah 49:24-25 — “Can plunder be taken from a mighty warrior…? I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.” – Jesus plunders the strong man’s house (cf. Matthew 12:29). • Isaiah 61:1 — “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me… to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners.” – Freedom from demonic bondage is central to His mission statement. Direct Encounters with Satan in the Old Covenant • Job 1:12; 2:6 — The adversary can act only with God’s permission. • Zechariah 3:2 — “The LORD said to Satan: ‘The LORD rebuke you, Satan!’” – The rebuke God issues in Zechariah is spoken in flesh by Christ in the Gospels. The Son of Man Invested with Universal Authority • Daniel 7:13-14 — “One like the Son of Man… was given dominion, glory, and kingship… His dominion is an everlasting dominion.” – Jesus calls Himself “Son of Man” while ordering demons around because Daniel already announced His cosmic jurisdiction. Foreshadows in Israel’s Story • 1 Samuel 16:23 — “Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take the harp and play, and… the evil spirit would depart from him.” – David’s music soothed; David’s greater Son commands. Pulling the Threads Together Old Testament authors keep pointing forward: a Serpent-Crusher, Spirit-anointed Liberator, and Son of Man who makes every enemy—seen or unseen—His footstool. Matthew 8:31 simply shows the prophecy in action: demons know the Scriptures are literal, and they know exactly who fulfilled them when Jesus steps onto the shore. |
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