«Scacciò gli spiriti e guarì tutti i malati»

Discernimento sugli esorcismi di Gesù nei sinottici (II)

Abstract

Continuing the enquiry published in the first number of this year’s La Scuola Cattolica, the present study sets out to evaluate the degree of historicity of four other Synoptic narratives which can at least prima facie be classed as exorcisms wrought by Jesus. It goes on to examine whether these were in fact exorcisms or instead instances of healing – however miraculous – from physical, mental or psycho-physical illnesses. Hence, there emerges the real possibility that a demon may have taken advantage of some such malady – as in the episode of the exorcism of the epileptic demoniac – to besiege, harass and even possess the person so afflicted.