Ampl. Col. 2:14, “Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross.
15 [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].”

Verse 15, “And having spoiled principalities and powers].”

This is a clear illustration of how enemies were treated and conquered by a stronger person.

They are spoiled of their armour, and this is what the Greek word implies here. And then they are exhibited with shame and reproach to the general populace, especially when the victor has the honour of a triumph; and then the ones that are conquered are said to be making a public exhibition of them while the conquerors are said to be triumphing over them.

It is said that the principalities and powers made up of the emperors, kings, and generals taken in battle were kept in reserve to grace the victor’s triumphant ceremony held in public.

So who were these principles that Jesus had the victory over?

The word used by Apostle Paul means “twaysn nesioth and twvr
roshoth” , refers more to the rulers and chiefs in the Sanhedrin and synagogues, who had great authority among the people both in making constitutions and explaining traditions.

The Gospel of the Christian faith in Judea certainly destroyed their spiritual power and domination; just like when the Protestantism movement which was Christianity revived and destroyed, wherever it appeared, the false doctrine and domination of the pope of Rome then.

This certainly is the point, because the authority of the ruling class was the law. See it here; Matt. 23:1,

“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.”

Moses seat was the administration of the Law on the people.

This is made plain when you read the verses 14-17. See it;

Col. 2:14, “Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross.
15 [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].
16 Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath.
17 Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ.”

Verse 16 says, “Therefore let NO MAN judge you on the bases of Moses’ laws and ceremonies. Don’t let those human principalities judge you anymore or try to lead you back into those rituals.

For now you are a new man in Christ and the cross of Christ has nailed all those rituals and had them crushed.

Therefore the administrators of the Law are now being put to shame by the declaration of Christ around the world that the power and authority they had has been dismantled.

Friends, Principalities and Powers in the above content has nothing to do with demons but human beings with authority of the law.

Bless you.