Satan, Demons and The Absence of Exorcisms in the Fourth Gospel

Abstract

There are few places in New Testament scholarship where interaction of Christology, controversy and is more apparent than in fourth gospel. The nature of the Johannine community and its controversy with synagogue has also become regular features of Johannine study. But there are still some very puzzling aspects of world depicted by fourth evangelist and conflicts he depicts. One of these is Jesus' conflict with Satan. Why, in particular, are there no exorcisms in John's gospel? This chapter provides an answer and then attempts to follow up some of implications of that answer. It is striking how frank fourth gospel is when presenting accusations of Jesus having a demon. The Jewish opposition to Jesus is of course a well-known feature of this gospel. Keywords: demons; exorcisms; fourth gospel; Johannine community; Satan