Mark 1:26-30

Mark 1:26 (KJB)
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

Had torn - Thrown into convulsions or a violent spasm

In response to the commands of Jesus, the unclean spirit had done his best to hold on to his host body but it was to no avail. He had thrown the man into a violent convulsion which must have scared the people who were watching. The devil could no longer speak and soon gave up trying to hold on because he had to obey the word of the Lord and he then came out of the man. Then the man probably calmed down and was sitting there without any problem and no doubt everybody was looking at how calm he was. From this verse, it looks like that it was the possessing devil who initially screamed out while Jesus was teaching.

Mark 1:27 (KJB)
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.

The group in the synagogue had heard the teachings of Jesus and stated that he spoke as one having authority. Then in only a few minutes, they had witnessed the authority and its results. Then the questioning among themselves began to take place. They had seen exorcisms before but normally they are done with elaborate formulas. This was not the case with Jesus because all He did was to speak to the devils and command them to be quiet and to leave the man’s body and they did. This is why they asked what is this? No one ever saw anything like this before. Then they were wondering what new doctrine is this? What they were hearing was the Gospel of Christ and now they were seeing the results of that true Gospel. The teaching of the law could not accomplish this only the teaching of the true Gospel which is Christ centered could accomplish this. Not only did they realize Jesus spoke with authority, they witnessed that authority in a big way and knew that it was not just another paper teaching but something very real. They were amazed at the fact that Jesus was able to command the evil spirits and that they obeyed Him immediately. Even after an event like this, Capernaum was known for its unbelief. (Mat 11:23 KJV) And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Mark 1:28 (KJB)
And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

The astonishment which the people in the synagogue experienced was not one of joy because the Kingdom of God was here but more of an uneasiness because of what they saw. Given the fact that Capernaum was listed among those who were in disbelief of Jesus, the type of fame which was spread broad was probably some type of alarm that people needed to beware. Many who came to Jesus later did not come for salvation but came for a miracle of some kind or to debate Him.

Mark 1:29 (KJB)
And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

Once they had left the synagogue, they had immediately come to the house of Simon and Andrew. Their home must have been very close to the synagogue. Excavations at Tell Hum (the site of ancient Capernaum) have unearthed a 3rd century synagogue which was built upon the foundation of a 1st century synagogue. They have also unearthed some houses which were about 300 feet from the shore and many of the archaeologists believe that one of the houses belonged to Peter. It is speculation at this time but because the text states “forthwith” which means “immediately,” it is thought that the proximity of these houses, one would belong to Peter and Andrew being fishermen who wanted to stay close to the sea.

Mark 1:30 (KJB)
But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

(1 Cor 9:5 KJV) Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Peter was married and according to 1 Corinthians 9:5, his wife would accompany them on their missionary journeys. Here Jesus enters the home of Peter in Capernaum and finds that his mother in law is sick with a fever and immediately they told Jesus of her condition. In those days, even a simple fever could be a death sentence. From the verse, it seems that her fever was so bad that she had to be bedridden.

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