Mark 1:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.

NIV: That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.

NASB: Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed.

CSB: When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick and demon-possessed.

NLT: That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus.

KJV: And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

NKJV: At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.

Although news of Jesus' exorcism of the demon spreads like wildfire (Mark 1:23–28), physical travel has to wait until the end of the Sabbath that evening. The healings of the demon-possessed man and Simon Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:29–31) quickly overshadow the amazement at Jesus' authoritative teaching (Mark 1:21–22). Now, and for much of Jesus' ministry, His audience's attention is focused on miracles.

And Jesus has a lot to heal. In a time when "fever" is considered its own disease, medical sciences aren't very sophisticated. Many "healers" use magic spells, to at least con their patients out of money (Mark 5:25–34). Still, archaeological digs at ancient Roman military camps have discovered forceps, tweezers, wound retractors, needles, and scalpels, and wealthy Roman households included a physician on staff. But in Galilee, the poor didn't have such access, and internal injuries and illnesses were usually beyond the help of even the most skilled surgeons.

Along with the physically sick are many who are "oppressed by demons." Again, we don't know why there was so much demonic activity in the time of Christ. We do know that demon possession was not considered a sin, although if the demon arrived because the victim was practicing witchcraft, that would be an issue. Every time Jesus saves someone from demon possession, Satan's grip is weakened.

Mark 1:21–45 opens a longer section describing the healing and preaching ministry of Jesus Christ. In this segment, Jesus impresses onlookers with His mastery of the Scriptures. He also amazes people with His authoritative style. During this teaching, Jesus heals a man afflicted with demonic possession. The resulting publicity brings a massive crowd to the home of Simon Peter, where Jesus is staying. Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law of a fever, and cures a leper, before leaving the region to continue His ministry.

John the Baptist is introduced as a figure preparing the world for the arrival of the Messiah. John's baptism teaches people about their need for repentance. When Jesus arrives, and is baptized, it signals the coming of God's fulfillment and the need of people to recognize their Savior. Mark briefly notes Jesus' baptism, desert temptation, and the calling of the first four disciples. After this, Jesus begins teaching in the synagogue and performs miraculous healings which spread His fame around the region.

The first chapter of the Gospel of Mark sets the tone for the rest of the story. Mark's writing is concise, action-packed, and short on details. Within a few verses, Mark establishes the transition from the wilderness ministry of John the Baptist to the healing and preaching of Jesus Christ. This first chapter includes the calling of Jesus' earliest disciples, His early miracles, and His early teaching. This establishes the pattern shown throughout the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus mingles His teaching with miraculous signs.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.