Luke 10:17,18 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Lord, even the devils were subject unto us— From the manner in which the seventy speak of this latter exertion of their power, it would appear to have been what they did not expect when they set out; for though Jesus had given them power to heal diseases, Luke 10:9 he had said nothing of their casting out demons. Our Lord's reply may be paraphrased thus, to retain its force and beauty: "He said to them, I know it; for I myself saw Satan the great prince of these demons, falling like lightning from heaven, on his first transgression; and well remember how immediate and dreadful his ruin was: and I foresee, in spirit, that renewed and swift victory, of which this present success of yours is an earnest, which the preaching of the Gospel shall shortly gain over all these rebel powers, who, even in their highest strength and glory, were so incapable of opposing the arm of God." We may observe further, that to be exalted into heaven, signifies to be raised to great powers and privileges, and particularlyto sovereign dominion; to fall from heaven therefore may signify to lose one's dominion and pre-eminence. The devils, by the idolatry of the Gentiles, and the wickedness of the Jews, had been exalted into heaven, and ruled mankind, in opposition to the dominion of God; but by the preaching of the gospel their power was to be destroyed in every country.