Not only did the evil spirits come out by the Lord's command

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III





Not only did the evil spirits come out by the Lord's command, but also in His name. When the disciples said to Him: "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name" (Lk. 10: 17), it was because He had given them authority over every power of the adversary. This is the difference between the Lord and human beings in casting out demons: He cast them out by His authority whereas they cast them out by His authority and not by their order. Thus the Lord said about those who would believe in Him: "In My name they will cast out demons" (Mk. 16:17). An example of this is the incident of the slave-girl who was possessed with a spirit of divination and who followed St. Paul. The Book of Acts says that St. Paul "turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And he came out that very hour" (Acts 16:18).