21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27 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.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Read Mark 1:21-34 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
As a developing communicator, when I read passages in the gospels that share about Jesus’ communication style, it seems as though these details jump off the page at me. During this speaking opportunity at the Capernaum synagogue, Jesus gets a reaction from the group of people, because His presentation of the scriptures was unique from what they had heard from others.
In verse 22, we read about the people’s reaction, “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” It is worth noting that this response is from what we could simply call “the sermon” part of the worship service.
In case those present needed any more proof about whether Jesus had authority, following the message, a demon-possessed man stands up to tell Jesus to leave them. Jesus responds by silencing the evil spirit and telling it to leave the man.
If Jesus’ teaching before was filled with authority, this healing solidified it in the minds of those present. Verse 27 tells us the people’s reaction after the healing, “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.’”
Jesus’ communication was unique. Jesus shared as one who had authority, and He was not one to back down to a challenge from satanic forces. Word spreads, and that evening, Jesus has a steady stream of people who come to have their diseases healed.
This leads me to see a big theme running through this passage: Jesus has the authority to teach scripture, to heal diseases, and to free people from the devil’s traps. If we need encouragement, healing, or freedom, Jesus should be the One we look to first!
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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