Mark 1:27 - Printer Friendly

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.”

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).

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 Peters' 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.