Familiar spirit in the new testament
In the New Testament, a "familiar spirit" (Greek: πνεῦμα γνώριμον, pneuma gnōrimon) refers to a spirit or demon that is known or familiar to a person, often in a negative sense. The term is used in the following passages:
- Acts 19:13-16 - In this passage, a group of Jewish exorcists, who claimed to possess the power of Jesus, attempted to cast out a demon from a man. However, the demon, who was a "familiar spirit" (πνεῦμα γνώριμον), recognized their authority and attacked them, causing them to flee naked and wounded.
- Revelation 16:13-14 - In this passage, the prophet John describes a future event in which three unclean spirits (πνεύματα ἀκάκα) will appear, proclaiming the kings of the earth and the whole world to gather for battle against God. These spirits are referred to as "familiar spirits" (πνεύματα γνώριμα), suggesting that they are well-known or well-established in their wickedness.
In both passages, the term "familiar spirit" is used to describe a spirit or demon that is known or recognized by humans, often in a negative sense. In the first passage, the demon is described as a "familiar spirit" because it is well-known to the Jewish exorcists, who are unable to cast it out. In the second passage, the three unclean spirits are referred to as "familiar spirits" because they are well-established in their wickedness and are recognized as such by humans.
It's worth noting that the term "familiar spirit" is not used in the New Testament to describe a spirit or demon that is benevolent or helpful. Instead, it is used to describe a spirit or demon that is malevolent and recognized as such by humans.