40+ Bible Verses About Casting Out Demons (Updated Guide)

These Bible verses about casting out demons show Jesus repeatedly driving out evil spirits with a word, then extending that same authority to His disciples (Luke 9:1, Mark 16:17). The clearest single verse on believers’ authority is Luke 10:19: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Scripture also includes real warnings that this isn’t authority to be used carelessly.

What Does the Bible Say About Casting Out Demons?

The Bible presents casting out demons as an act of divine authority, first demonstrated by Jesus (Matthew 8:16, Mark 1:34) and then explicitly handed to His followers. Luke 9:1 states plainly that Jesus “gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.” This authority is tied consistently to faith, prayer, and the name of Jesus, never to human technique or ritual alone.

Can Any Believer Cast Out Demons?

Scripture says believers carry this authority through faith in Christ (1 John 4:4, Mark 16:17). Still, it also includes a sobering warning: Acts 19:13-16 describes seven brothers attempting this without genuine relationship with Jesus, and being physically overpowered as a result. Most careful readings of these Bible verses about casting out demons conclude that authority is real, but it flows from relationship with God, not from repeating the right words.

The Power of Jesus Christ Over Demons

These verses establish the foundation before believers had any authority; Jesus demonstrated His own.

Luke 10:17 “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.'”
Matthew 8:16 “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”
Mark 1:34 “And he healed many who were ill with various diseases and drove out many demons. But he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.”
Luke 4:41 “Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak.”
Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil.”

Authority Given to Believers to Cast Out Demons

This is the most searched theme in this topic, where Scripture says the same authority extends beyond Jesus himself.

Mark 16:17 “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues.”
Luke 9:1 “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.”
Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
Acts 16:18 “Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”
1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Luke 10:19 “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

Prayers for Protection Against Evil Spirits

These verses shift from active confrontation to the ongoing protection believers are promised.

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Psalm 91:3 “Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”

Understanding the Real Battle: Spiritual Warfare

A theme frequently searched but underrepresented in most lists is the New Testament’s own description of what this “warfare” actually is.

Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Colossians 2:15 “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
Revelation 12:11 “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

The Role of Faith and Fasting in Deliverance

These verses show that authority in Scripture is consistently tied to spiritual discipline, not just declaration.

Matthew 17:21 “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Note: most modern translations, including the NIV, footnote this verse as absent from the earliest Greek manuscripts. It’s widely printed for continuity with older translations, but scholars generally treat Mark 9:29 as the more textually secure version of this teaching.)
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Mark 9:29 “He replied, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer.'”
James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Jesus’ Miracles: Casting Out Demons in the Bible

These are the specific gospel accounts most people are looking for when they search this topic: direct scenes of Jesus in action.

Luke 8:29 “For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man.”
Matthew 9:32-33 “While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke.”
Mark 5:8 “For Jesus had said to him, ‘Come out of this man, you impure spirit!'”
Matthew 12:28 “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Luke 11:20 “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Warnings and Wise Boundaries in Spiritual Warfare

A theme most existing lists skip entirely, but every serious treatment of this topic includes Scripture’s own caution against approaching this carelessly.

Acts 19:13-16 “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus… ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?’ Then the man… gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.”
Matthew 12:43-45 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it… the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”
James 2:19 “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.”

How to Stay Spiritually Strong Against Evil

These verses shift from crisis moments to daily spiritual posture: how believers stay protected long-term.

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
2 Corinthians 10:4 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Colossians 1:13 “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

God’s Protection and Promises Against Evil

The closing category: Scripture’s long-term promises for those standing firm in this kind of spiritual battle.

Psalm 91:11 “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.”
Romans 16:20 “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you.”

FAQ’s – Bible Verses about Casting Out Demons

What does the Bible say about casting out demons?

The Bible teaches that Jesus and His disciples cast out demons through God’s power, and that this authority is extended to believers through faith in Jesus Christ (Mark 16:17, Luke 10:19).

Can anyone cast out demons according to the Bible?

Scripture ties this authority to genuine faith and relationship with Jesus, not technique. Acts 19:13-16 shows this authority backfiring badly when attempted without that relationship.

Do I need to fast when casting out demons?

Mark 9:29 says some situations require prayer specifically; Matthew 17:21 says the same about fasting, though most modern translations note this verse may not appear in the earliest manuscripts. Either way, fasting and prayer are consistently linked to spiritual discipline throughout Scripture.

Are demons real, according to the Bible?

Yes, the Bible consistently describes demons as real spiritual beings opposed to God’s work, while also affirming that believers have authority over them through Christ (Colossians 1:13, Luke 10:19).

What happens if a demon leaves and comes back?

Matthew 12:43-45 warns that an empty spiritual space is dangerous; deliverance without replacing it with genuine faith can leave a person more vulnerable, not less.

Conclusion

These 40+ Bible verses about casting out demons present a consistent picture: real spiritual authority, rooted in Jesus, extended to those who follow Him in genuine faith, not a formula to recite, and not something to approach carelessly. Scripture pairs every promise of victory with an equally real warning, from the sons of Sceva’s failed attempt to Jesus’ own teaching about empty houses.

Read together, these verses point less toward dramatic confrontation and more toward steady, disciplined faith: prayer, discernment, and a real relationship with Christ as the actual source of authority.

Key Takeaways

Luke 9:1 and Mark 16:17 are the two clearest Bible verses about casting out demons, establishing that this authority was passed from Jesus to His followers.
New in this update: Luke 10:19 (the most quoted authority verse missing from the original list) and a full “Warnings and Wise Boundaries” section (Acts 19:13-16, Matthew 12:43-45, James 2:19).
Matthew 17:21 is worth reading; most modern translations carefully footnote it as textually uncertain, with Mark 9:29 as the more secure version of the same teaching.
Scripture treats this authority as relational, not mechanical; it comes from faith in Christ, not the correct words spoken in the right order.
If you or someone you know is dealing with something that feels like spiritual oppression, Scripture itself encourages seeking guidance from trusted, mature spiritual leaders rather than acting alone (James 5:16).

Stephen Jordan

I’m Stephen Jordan, a faith-based writer and the voice behind FaithBloom. I share carefully selected Bible verses and heartfelt prayers to help you find comfort, hope, and strength in God’s Word every single day.