Who fell, i.e., did people fall down or pass out when Jesus prayed for them? I see preachers lay hands on people and push them to make them go down. In fact, some blow on them (bad breath) to make them fall. Or they do something else, but it seems the goal is to get them on the floor. Is it theatrics or the power of God?
Who Fell When Jesus Prayed? Simple Answer, Demoniac People!
STM Bible Snack
Let’s see what the Bible says!
- An evil spirit attacked a boy who fell and rolled on the ground. Clearly a demoniac person.
- Mark 9:20 [read Mark 9:14-29 (20); compare Matthew 17:14-21 and Luke 9:37-42)]
- So the followers brought him to Jesus. As soon as the evil spirit saw Jesus, it attacked the boy. He fell down and rolled on the ground, foaming from his mouth. (ICB)
- KJV: And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
- Defined:
- Demoniac is a person believed to be possessed by an evil spirit.
Simple answer, demoniac people!
- Mark 3:10-11 [read Mark 3:7-12 (10-11)]
- For He had healed so many people that large numbers of them who were plagued with serious illnesses were crowding around Him in hope of getting to touch Him. 11 And whenever they saw Him (Jesus), [people possessed by] evil spirits fell to the ground in front of Him, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” (AUV)
- KJV: For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. 11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
- Bible Exposition Commentary – Two demonized men met Jesus when He landed at Gadara (Matthew 8:28), but one of them was the more forward and did all the speaking. Both were pitiful cases: naked, living in the tombs, violent, dangerous, a menace to the area, and controlled by a legion of demons.
- Luke 8:28 [read Luke 8:26-39 (28); compare Matthew 8:28-9:1 (29) and Mark 5:1-20 (6)]
- When he saw Jesus, he screamed, fell down in front of him, and cried out in a loud voice, “What do you want from me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you not to torture me!” (ISV)
- KJV: When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.
Do What Jesus Did
- When people fall to the ground when “the power of the Holy Spirit overtakes them”, it is a spirit or it’s fake. But not the Holy Spirit. If it did not happen when God (Jesus) was in the flesh. It is not happening now.
- John 14:12 [read John 14:12-14 (12)]
- I tell you the truth [Truly, truly, I say to you], whoever believes in me will do the same things that I do. Those who believe will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [They will do greater things because all believers—not just Jesus—will have the Holy Spirit living in them and empowering them.]
- KJV: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
- Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible – How could He say that believers would do greater works? The answer is seen in the extent of what the apostles did. Jesus’ work on earth was confined to Palestine; the apostles would preach everywhere and see the conversion of thousands.
Also consider, thanks to modern technology, ministries can easily spread the gospel message worldwide. Greater works!
Learn to discern
- 1 Corinthians 2:15 [read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (15)]
- But the spiritual man [the spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines (discerns all things), and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature]. (AMP)
- KJV: But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
- New Commentary on the Whole Bible – It is more accurate to use the word “discern” than “judge” (the same Greek word has been rendered “discerned” in 2:14).
Comparing what Jesus and the apostles did with what others are doing is always a good idea. What Did Jesus Do, or WDJD for short? When what others do doesn’t line up with what Jesus did, you’ll know something is off. Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible snack. I urge you to make full use of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺
Related studies/lessons/snacks for further spiritual growth:
See what is the latest on the Sound Truth Ministry website.
I look forward to your feedback via comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing [email protected]. Have a fantabulous day!
