Jesus does not identify this passage as a parable, because it is not at first. Jesus teaches how an individual becomes demon possessed after he has a single demon cast out. He then uses a house in a parabolic statement. Next, in the scriptural and historical context, Jesus uses the truth in a parabolic way. The Parable of the Return of the Evil Spirit is found in Matthew 12:43-45 and Luke 11:24-26.
The Story
"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, `I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean, and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it
seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." (Matthew 12:43-45, New International Version).
"When an evil (unclean) spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, `I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first." (Luke 11:24-26, New International Version).
Ralph Earle provides a good outline of Matthew 12 to show the context of this parable [WESLEYAN BIBLE COMMENTARY (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press), MATTHEW, by Ralph Earle, p. 61]. His outline with my material follows:
HIS CRITICS. [THE PHARISEES].
[Jesus places in perspective natural human family and spiritual family].
Demon possession is a reality. In our day of "enlightenment," some would dismiss the existence of demons. In some ways, the existence of evil or unclean spirits as they are called in the New Testament is out of the realm of science. How can you observe a spirit? How can you control a situation so that anyone can do an experiment that would prove the existence of demons? You cannot! However, you can examine the facts and do critical research. I believe that a scientific approach will confirm the Biblical teaching that demons do exist. For a more detailed approach on demon influence and possession and how to be set free from demons, write Kenneth E. Hagin, P O Box 50126, Tulsa, OK 74150-9988.
The Interpretation
This passage of scripture first of all, applies to the individual. A person can be delivered of demon influence or even total possession, and be repossessed completely, if the Spirit of God does not dwell in the heart of the individual delivered. Reformation and "turning over a new leaf" will not suffice: Reformation without regeneration is no use.
(Morgan, THE PARABLES AND METAPHORS OF OUR LORD, p. 41).
We must accept Christ as our personal Savior and then the Holy Spirit will take up his abode in our house (heart).
In Jesus’ time, the present religious generation had been purged of idolatry. However, it had not received the Messiah and the new truths that he brought.
Farrar comments:
The parable was an allegory, not only of the awful peril of relapse after partial conversion, but also of the History of the Jews. The demon of idolatry had been expelled by the Exile; `but had returned in the sevenfold virulence of letter-worship,
formalism, exclusiveness, ambition, greed, hypocrisy and hate;’ and on the testimony of Josephus himself [a Jewish historian] the Jews of that age were so bad that their destruction seemed an inevitable retribution. (Carr, CAMBRIDGE GREEK TESTAMENT FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, LUKE, by F. W. Farrar, pp. 265 ff.).
Earle adds:
...when the Jews rejected Jesus, they found themselves in a worse state than ever before. Wicked demons drove them on to their doom, in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. [WESLEYAN BIBLE COMMENTARY (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press), MATTHEW, by Ralph Earle, p. 61].
When enough people in a culture become controlled or possessed by demons, the whole culture is moved toward destruction. This is what happened in Jesus’ time. And sadly, this appears to be happening in the United States.
Barclay sees three truths in this parable:
1. The evil spirit is banished from the man and not destroyed.
2. A negative religion is not enough.
3. The only cure for evil action is Christian action. (Barclay, DAILY STUDY BIBLE SERIES, MATTHEW pp. 56 ff.).
Central Truth
CHRIST MUST BE RECEIVED INTO THE HEART AFTER CHRIST DELIVERS FROM DEMONS.
Conclusion
Let us take the good news of the Gospel to those who are controlled and manipulated by the devil and his demons.
THERE IS DELIVERANCE FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT!
END