Mark 1:21-34
Mark 1:21–22
“And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”
Capernaum was on the northwestern coast of the Sea of Galilee, west of the Jordan River. Archaeological research has uncovered the synagogue mentioned here, as well as what may have been Peter’s house—later transformed into a house church and, by the 4th–5th centuries, a Byzantine octagonal church.
Jesus’ teaching stood out. Unlike the scribes, He taught with authority—His own authority. This models the pastoral office today: pastors speak in the Name of Jesus.
The Greek word ekplēssō means to be astonished, amazed, or struck dumb.
Lenski observes:
“Note the psychology—as long as Jesus spoke, every eye and every ear were fixed on him in rapt attention, dreading to miss a single word. But when the voice that held them spellbound became silent, the tension was relaxed, and amazement swept over the hearers. What produced this effect was the διδαχή (teaching) of Jesus.”
Mark 1:23–24
“And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.’”
An interruption: a man possessed by an unclean spirit.
This shows Jesus’ ministry in both Word (teaching) and Deed (healing). What seems like a disruption becomes an opportunity to display authority and mercy.
Interestingly, the second being in Mark’s Gospel to recognize Jesus is not a disciple, but a demon. People often fail to see Christ clearly, but demons know exactly who He is.
Yet this knowledge does not save them. Faith without love is dead.
Augustine comments:
“Call to mind with me the time when Peter was praised and called blessed. Was it because he merely said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’? No, he who pronounced him blessed regarded not merely the sound of his words, but the affections of his heart. Compare that with the words of the demons who said almost the same thing: ‘We know who you are, the Son of God,’ just as Peter had confessed him as ‘Son of God.’ So what is the difference? Peter spoke in love, but the demons in fear.… So tell us how faith is to be defined, if even the devils can believe and tremble? Only the faith that works by love is faith.” (Sermons on New Testament Lessons 40.8)
Mark 1:25–28
“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.”
The presence of Jesus is torment to demons. His word is enough: “Be silent, and come out of him!”
These same words silence the voices that torment us.
N. T. Wright comments:
“Sometimes people for whom life had become a total nightmare—whose personalities seemed taken over by alien powers—confronted Jesus; indeed, they seem to have had a kind of inside track on recognizing him, knowing who he was and what he’d come to do. He’d come to stop the nightmare, to rescue people, both nations and individuals, from the destructive forces that enslaved them. So whether it was shrieking demons, a woman with a fever, or simply whatever diseases people happened to suffer from, Jesus dealt with them, all with the same gentle but deeply effective authority.”
The witnesses cannot keep quiet: His fame spreads everywhere.
Mark 1:29–31
“And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.”
This is likely the same house of Peter mentioned earlier. Archaeological evidence suggests that a house in Capernaum, later converted into a church, may have been Peter’s.
To be sick with fever in the first century was almost synonymous with death. Mark’s readers would have understood the seriousness of this situation.
Jesus’ visit here may be seen as the first pastoral visit in the New Testament. His touch brings healing.
Jerome writes:
“Can you imagine Jesus standing before your bed and you continue sleeping? It is absurd that you would remain in bed in his presence. Where is Jesus? He is already here offering himself to us. ‘In the middle,’ he says, ‘among you he stands, whom you do not recognize.’ ‘The kingdom of God is in your midst.’ Faith beholds Jesus among us. If we ar unable to seize his hand, let us prostrate ourselves at his feet. If we are unable to reach his head, let us wash his feet with our tears. Our repentance is the perfume of the Savior. See how costly is the compassion of the Savior. Our sins give off a terrible odor; they are rottenness. Nevertheless, if we repent of our sins, they will be transformed into perfume by the Lord. Therefore, let us ask the Lord to grasp our hand. ‘And at once,’ he says, ‘the fever left her.’ Immediately as her hand is grasped, the fever flees.” (Tractate on Mark’s Gospel 2)
The Greek verb diakoneō (“to serve”) is used here. It is related to diakonos (“servant”) and suggests that Peter’s mother-in-law, once healed, immediately began ministering to others.
Mark 1:32–34
“That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.”
Since the Sabbath had ended at sundown, people were now free to bring their sick and suffering to Jesus without violating Sabbath rest.
Jesus healed many and cast out demons. Notice again His authority—He even silenced the demons, refusing to let them reveal Him prematurely.
This was an incredibly busy day in Jesus’ ministry.