Dict: easton - Exorcist

easton:

Exorcist @ kjv@Acts:19:13). "In that sceptical and therefore superstitious age professional exorcist abounded. Many of these professional exorcists were disreputable Jews, like Simon in Samaria and Elymas in Cyprus (8:9; 13:6)." Other references to exorcism as practised by the Jews are found in kjv@Matthew:12:27; kjv@Mark:9:38; kjv@Luke:9:49-50. It would seem that it was an opinion among the Jews that miracles might be wrought by invoking the divine name. Thus also these "vagabond Jews" pretended that they could expel daemons. The power of casting out devils was conferred by Christ on his apostles kjv@Matthew:10:8), and on the seventy kjv@Luke:10:17-19), and was exercised by believers after his ascension kjv@Mark:16:17; kjv@Acts:16:18); but this power was never spoken of as exorcism.