Luke 11:14 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And he was casting out a devil,— Δαιμονιον, a demon. By this word the ancient heathens understood inferior deities or spirits both good and bad; but the ancientJewsdistinguished good and evil spirits by several different names; the former of which are, in the version of the LXX, generally called αγγελοι, angels, and the latter δαιμονια, demons. As for the good spirits or angels, they are frequently mentioned as appearing to the patriarchs, and other pious men; but in Deuteronomy 32:17 the Israelites are charged with having sacrificed unto demons, [δαιμονιοις,] and not to God; by which it appears, that they worshipped evil spirits so early: See also Psalms 106:37. In both which passages, as well as many others both of the Old and New Testament, the word δαιμονιον is translated devil in our version; whereas the Greek word διαβολος, whence comes the English name devil, signifies, as we have before observed, an adversary, or one who brings a charge against another; and is never applied in the sacred writings to evil spirits, in the plural number, but always attributed to Satan only, in the singular; agreeably to which he is also called the accuser of the brethren. Revelation 12:10. See on Matthew 4:1. And it seems highly probable, that the notion of Satan, as an enemy to mankind in general, was in some measure retained from the fall of our first parents, and the promise made consequent upon it. Compare Genesis 3:15 and Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:2. In our Saviour's time, the name given to the prince of demons by the Jews, was Beelzebub, with whom they charged him as being a confederate (see the next verse); and by their allowing that he cast out demons by his assistance, it is plain that they retained the belief of the existence of evil spirits in general. The like also appears from the several instances of demoniacs who were cured by our Saviour. In Acts 23:8., we are told, the Sadducees say, that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. From the different sentiments therefore of these two sects of the Jews, it is plain, that the latter of them believed the existence of good spirits, here called angels: and that they believed the same of evil ones, (whatever may be meant by the following word πνευμα,) appears from their charge above mentioned against our Saviour.