The term "Demoniac" refers to individuals in the New Testament who were possessed by demons, as described in the Gospels. These accounts highlight the power and authority of Jesus Christ over evil spirits and His compassion for those afflicted by such possession. The most notable accounts of demoniacs are found in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

The Gerasene Demoniac

One of the most detailed accounts of a demoniac is found in the account of the Gerasene demoniac, recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, and Luke 8:26-39). In Mark 5:1-20 , Jesus and His disciples arrive at the region of the Gerasenes, where they encounter a man possessed by an unclean spirit. This man lived among the tombs and was so violent that no one could bind him, not even with chains. Night and day, he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

Upon seeing Jesus from a distance, the demoniac ran and fell on his knees before Him, shouting, "What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You before God not to torture me!" (Mark 5:7). The demons within the man recognized Jesus' divine authority and pleaded not to be sent out of the region. Instead, they requested to be sent into a herd of pigs. Jesus granted their request, and the unclean spirits entered the pigs, causing the herd to rush down the steep bank into the sea and drown.

The man, now free from demonic possession, was found sitting, clothed, and in his right mind. The people of the region, however, were afraid and asked Jesus to leave. The man who had been possessed begged to go with Jesus, but Jesus instructed him to return to his home and tell his friends what the Lord had done for him. The man obeyed and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and all the people were amazed.

The Canaanite Woman's Daughter

Another significant account involves the Canaanite woman's daughter, as recorded in Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:24-30. In Matthew 15:22 , a Canaanite woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon approached Jesus, crying out, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon." Despite initial silence and the disciples' urging to send her away, Jesus commended her great faith and granted her request, healing her daughter instantly.

The Boy with a Mute Spirit

In Mark 9:14-29 and Matthew 17:14-21, a father brought his son, who was possessed by a mute spirit, to Jesus. The spirit would seize the boy, throw him to the ground, and cause him to foam at the mouth. The disciples had been unable to cast it out. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, saying, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you to come out and never enter him again" (Mark 9:25). The spirit shrieked, convulsed the boy violently, and came out, leaving him as if dead. Jesus took the boy by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

Significance

The accounts of demoniacs in the New Testament serve to demonstrate the authority of Jesus Christ over the spiritual realm. They reveal His power to deliver individuals from the bondage of demonic oppression and His compassion for those who suffer. These narratives also underscore the recognition of Jesus' divine identity by the spiritual forces of darkness, as well as the importance of faith in receiving deliverance and healing.