How Jesus Trained His Disciples to Cast Out Demons
by Mihran Kulhanjian
Jesus not only cast out demons Himself, but also trained His disciples to minister to people suffering from demonic possession and oppression. He told His disciple to apply the authority He gave them in His name to expel demons from people. The Gospels show that this training involved spiritual authority, faith, prayer, and dependence on God. Jesus taught His disciples to rely on God’s authority and the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also taught that the authority is given to them my Jesus with the power of Christ in them to heal the sick and cast out demons. All believers have this power, but very few appropriate it.
1. Jesus First Authority
Before sending His disciples out, Jesus personally modeled deliverance ministry. The disciples repeatedly witnessed Him command demons to leave people.
For example:
“He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”
— Mark 1:27
The disciples learned first by observing Jesus minister directly.
This pattern appears throughout the Gospels:
- Jesus encountered afflicted people
- He spoke with authority
- Demons obeyed Him
- People were restored
The disciples saw both His authority and His compassion.
2. Jesus Gave Them Authority
After demonstrating His power, Jesus delegated authority to His followers.
Luke records:
“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.” — Luke 9:1
Similarly, in Matthew:
“He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out.”
— Matthew 10:1
This authority was not presented as coming from the disciples themselves, but from Jesus.
A central idea in Christian teaching is that believers minister “in the name of Jesus,” meaning under His authority rather than their own strength.
3. Jesus Sent Them Out to Practice Ministry
Jesus trained His disciples through real-world ministry experience.
He sent them into towns and villages to:
- Preach repentance
- Heal the sick
- Cast out demons
- Depend on God
Mark writes:
“So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons.” — Mark 6:12–13
Rather than keeping the disciples as passive students, Jesus involved them directly in ministry. A disciple it a pupil. He continues to learn and applies what he learns.
4. Jesus Taught Dependence on Prayer
One important lesson came after the disciples failed to cast out a demon from a boy.
After Jesus delivered the child, the disciples privately asked:
“Why could we not cast it out?”
— Matthew 17:19
Jesus answered:
“Because of your little faith.”
— Matthew 17:20
In Mark’s account, He added:
“This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.”
— Mark 9:29
We cannot do anything with unbelief. Fasting and prayer build faith. By fasting we deny our flesh and rely on God.
This taught the disciples that spiritual authority required:
- Faith
- Prayer
- Dependence on God
- Spiritual readiness
The emphasis was not on formulas, but on relationship with God.
5. Jesus Emphasized Faith
Faith was a recurring theme in Jesus’ training.
He often connected spiritual effectiveness with trust in God.
Jesus told His disciples:
“If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you.”
— Matthew 17:20
Faith in this context meant confidence in God’s power and authority rather than confidence in oneself.
6. Jesus Warned Against Pride
When the seventy-two disciples returned excited that demons obeyed them, Jesus redirected their focus.
They said:
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
— Luke 10:17
Jesus replied:
“Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” — Luke 10:20
This taught humility. Spiritual authority was not meant to become a source of pride or personal status.
7. Jesus Connected Deliverance to the Kingdom of God
Jesus taught that casting out demons was evidence of God’s kingdom advancing against evil.
He said:
“If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
— Matthew 12:28
Deliverance ministry was therefore connected to:
- Freedom from enslavement by demons
- Healing
- Restoration to former health
- God’s supreme power over evil
8. Jesus Taught Through the Holy Spirit
The disciples were not expected to minister by human ability alone.
Before His ascension, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit:
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”
— Acts 1:8
In the Book of Acts, the apostles continued ministering in Jesus’ name through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Patterns in Jesus’ Training Method
Jesus trained His followers through several key methods:
Observation
The disciples first watched Jesus minister.
Instruction
Jesus explained spiritual principles such as faith, belief, prayer, and humility.
Delegation
He gave them authority, responsibility and knowledge.
Practice
The disciples actively participated in ministry, which included sharing the truth of Jesus Christ, healing, and expelling demons. He told them they would do the works He did and more.
Correction
Jesus corrected misunderstandings and failures.
Dependence on God
He continually directed them toward prayer and the reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Summing Up
Jesus trained His disciples to cast out demons by first modeling authority over evil spirits, then giving them authority and power in His name. He then sent them into ministry, teaching them faith and prayer, correcting their mistakes, and emphasizing humility and dependence on the Holy Spirit.