Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 12:43

"But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not." — Matthew 12:43 (ASV)

When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes “through arid places” in search of rest. This conforms to the view that demons have an affinity for such places. Ultimately, however, they seek another body in order to do even more harm.