Lexical Summary daimonizomai: To be demon-possessed, to be under the power of a demon. Original Word: δαιμονίζομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to be demon possessedMiddle voice from daimon; to be exercised by a d?Mon -- have a (be vexed with, be possessed with) devil(-s). see GREEK daimon HELPS Word-studies 1139 daimonízomai (from 1142 /daímōn) – properly, demonized, i.e. coming under the power of a demon (fallen angel). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom daimón Definition to be possessed by a demon NASB Translation demon-possessed (11), demoniacs (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1139: δαιμονίζομαιδαιμονίζομαι; 1 aorist passive participle δαιμονισθείς; (δαίμων); to be under the power of a demon: ἄλλος κατ' ἄλλην δαιμονίζεται τυχην, Philemon 1 in Stobaeus, ecl. phys. 1, p. 196; of the insane, Plutarch, symp. 7, 5, 4, and in other later authors. In the N. T. δαιμονιζόμενοι are persons afflicted with especially severe diseases, either bodily or mental (such as paralysis, blindness, deafness, loss of speech, epilepsy, melancholy, insanity, etc.), whose bodies in the opinion of the Jews demons (see δαιμόνιον) had entered, and so held possession of them as not only to afflict them with ills, but also to dethrone the reason and take its place themselves; accordingly, the possessed were accustomed to express the mind and consciousness of the demons dwelling in them; and their cure was thought to require the expulsion of the demon — (but on this subject see B. D. American edition under the word Topical Lexicon Overview of the TermStrong’s Greek 1139 refers to persons “being demonized,” that is, under the direct control or domination of an unclean spirit. The word never describes demons themselves; it always portrays the human host. All thirteen occurrences appear in Gospel narratives that emphasize Jesus’ authority over the unseen realm. The contexts show that demonization is a distinct condition, neither synonymous with ordinary sickness nor reducible to mental illness, though physical and psychological symptoms may accompany it. Canonical Distribution • Matthew 4:24; 8:16, 28, 33; 9:32; 12:22; 15:22 The Synoptics present live encounters, while John cites eyewitness testimony that recalls one of them. Representative Passages Matthew 4:24: “...they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering severe pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralyzed—and He healed them”. Mark 5:15: “They came to Jesus and saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid”. Luke 8:36: “Those who had seen it described how the demon-possessed man had been healed”. John 10:21: “Others replied, ‘These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’ ”. Characteristics of Demonization in the Gospels • Altered consciousness and loss of normal control (Mark 5:15). The pattern underscores personal evil spirits as the immediate cause, not merely symbolic evil. Jesus’ Authority and the In-breaking Kingdom Demon expulsion is a primary sign of messianic authority (Matthew 12:28). Christ’s word alone is sufficient; no magical formulas appear. His victories foreshadow the ultimate defeat of Satan (Luke 10:18). The evangelists treat deliverance ministry as indisputable historical fact and a credential of the gospel. Distinction from Other Afflictions Lists such as Matthew 4:24 pair the demon-possessed with the sick, indicating overlap yet distinction. Healing (ἰάομαι) addresses bodily ailments; deliverance (ἐκβάλλω with δαιμόνια) addresses spiritual bondage. Occasionally, deliverance and healing occur simultaneously (Matthew 12:22). Historical and Cultural Background Second-Temple Judaism acknowledged personal evil spirits but lacked the effortless authority displayed by Jesus. Contemporary exorcists relied on incantations; the Gospel accounts contrast this with a simple command, magnifying Christ’s divine prerogative. Ministry Implications 1. Recognition: Not every malady is demonic, but demonic influence remains a biblical reality. Pastoral Considerations • Proclamation of the gospel remains the primary means of liberation (Colossians 1:13). Eschatological Outlook Present triumphs anticipate the final banishment of demonic forces (Revelation 20:10). Until then, the Church serves as an outpost of Christ’s reign, pushing back darkness through Word, Spirit, and compassionate engagement with the afflicted. Related Topics Demons; Unclean spirits; Exorcism; Spiritual warfare; Authority of Jesus; Kingdom of God Forms and Transliterations δαιμονιζεται δαιμονίζεται δαιμονιζομενοι δαιμονιζόμενοι δαιμονιζομενον δαιμονιζόμενον δαιμονιζόμενος δαιμονιζομενου δαιμονιζομένου δαιμονιζομενους δαιμονιζομένους δαιμονιζομενω δαιμονιζομένω δαιμονιζομένῳ δαιμονιζομενων δαιμονιζομένων δαιμονίζομενων δαιμονισθεις δαιμονισθείς δαιμονισθεὶς daimonistheis daimonistheís daimonistheìs daimonizetai daimonízetai daimonizomeno daimonizomenō daimonizomenoi daimonizoménoi daimonizoménōi daimonizómenoi daimonizomenon daimonizomenōn daimonizoménon daimonizoménōn daimonizómenon daimonizomenos daimonizómenos daimonizomenou daimonizoménou daimonizomenous daimonizoménousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:24 V-PPM/P-AMPGRK: συνεχομένους καὶ δαιμονιζομένους καὶ σεληνιαζομένους NAS: and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, KJV: and those which were possessed with devils, and INT: oppressed and possessed by demons and epileptics Matthew 8:16 V-PPM/P-AMP Matthew 8:28 V-PPM/P-NMP Matthew 8:33 V-PPM/P-GMP Matthew 9:32 V-PPM/P-AMS Matthew 12:22 V-PPM/P-AMS Matthew 15:22 V-PIM/P-3S Mark 1:32 V-PPM/P-AMP Mark 5:15 V-PPM/P-AMS Mark 5:16 V-PPM/P-DMS Mark 5:18 V-APP-NMS Luke 8:36 V-APP-NMS John 10:21 V-PPM/P-GMS Strong's Greek 1139 |
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