Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

Mark 1:27
ESV 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."
NIV The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him."
NASB And they were all amazed, so they debated among themselves, saying, 'What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.'
CSB They were all amazed, and so they began to ask each other: "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."
NLT Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. 'What sort of new teaching is this?' they asked excitedly. 'It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!'
KJV And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
NKJV Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

What does Mark 1:27 mean?

Jesus' teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum has been interrupted by a man possessed by a demon. His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter, James, and John, are presumably there, as are several men from the town. After displaying His authority over God's word by interpreting a passage without referencing other scholars, Jesus uses a miracle to authenticate that authority.

The word translated "amazed" here is from the Greek thambeo. This means "to be astonished, with a touch of fear." Jesus' authority over demons is an essential characteristic of His identity as God and the Son of God, but it is not easy for the people to understand. Later, the scribes (Mark 3:22–30) and Pharisees (Matthew 12:22–32) from Jerusalem will claim that His power to exorcise demons comes not from the Holy Spirit but from Satan. This is hypocritical since the sons of the religious leaders were also driving out demons (Matthew 12:27). But it's also illogical, since, as Jesus points out, expelling demons and stopping their work was in direct opposition to the demons' purpose.

The audience reacts to Jesus casting out a demon here by questioning what they have seen and saying, "What is this?" In a fascinating parallel, the Hebrew for "What is this?" is "manna." Moses described manna as "the bread that the LORD has given you to eat" (Exodus 16:15). The confused men in Capernaum unintentionally answer their own question, as Jesus later describes Himself, saying, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (John 6:35). We affirm this statement every time we take communion (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit