The Gospel of Mark 1:21-1:39 - Healing the sick in body, mind, and spirit
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The next stage of Jesus’ ministry is filled with healings and exorcisms. He is seeking to bring the kingdom of God to the people in a very real way. He is not just preaching and teaching, He is meeting very real needs in people.
Text
“And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 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.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.”
Mark 1:21-28 (ESV)
Discussion:
Consider this, Mark has the place of the exorcism as the local synagogue. The man then, who was possessed, was not a crazy lunatic on the fringe of society, nor was he a perverse sinner, but he was a devout Jew! Jesus though, doesn’t stray away from any conflict. He is here to bring the kingdom of God and fight Satan and his minions.
Although modern scholars like to use the word for “healing” when speaking of casting out demons, R. T. France argues that the usage of the Greek words and the layout of the story make it clear that Mark has an exorcism in mind here (France 2002, 103). In other words, if we say that this was just a healing we are importing our own views of what the text should say into it. There are several reasons to see this as an exorcism and not just a healing of mental illness.
1. “What have you to do with us” – In the movie Tombstone, in one of the most iconic western movie scenes, Johnny Ringo has just challenged Wyatt Earp and waits for him. Coming through the trees Johnny thinks he sees Earp and proclaims “well, I didn’t think you had it in you”. Suddenly, Doc Holliday, not Wyatt Earp steps out and says “I’m your huckleberry”. Johnny, knowing that Doc Holiday is a faster and better gunman immediately tries to back down. He exclaims “my fight’s not with you Holliday.”
This scene is a great way to think of this demonic encounter Jesus has with the demon possessed man. The demon starts out asking what fight or problem is between Jesus and him (compare to 2 Samuel 16:10; 19:23; 1 Kings 17:18; 2 Kings 3:13; Judges 11:12; 2 Chronicles 35:21), obviously trying to put off any possible confrontation.
2. “I know who you are—the Holy One of God” – a mentally insane man would have no hidden knowledge of who Jesus really was. The intellectual elite of the day did not even see Jesus as the Messiah, His own disciples didn’t see Him as divine (at this time, they did later), they didn’t even fully understand His mission or who He was. So it makes no sense that a man who is mentally ill would have hidden knowledge that no one else does. If Mark were conveying this story in order to say or imply that the man was mentally ill, he would be insisting that only the crazy believed that Jesus is the “Holy One of God”. This doesn’t make sense at all, and thus this must be an exorcism.
Many believe today that when the demon calls out Jesus name that he was trying to exorcise power over Jesus. This is because it was commonly held view in the ancient near east that when you knew the name of the demon you had power over them. However, Robert A. Guelich explains why this may not be true, but instead the demon is acknowledging Jesus as superior (Guelich 1989, 57).
“The Holy One of God” (ὁ ἃγιος τοῦ Θεοῦ). The demon addresses Jesus as “Jesus, the Nazarene.” After asking about the purpose of Jesus’ coming, the spirit then demonstrates his knowledge of Jesus’ true identity, “The Holy One of God.” The naming of a name frequently has been viewed to be a defense, an apotropaic device, typical of exorcism stories by which the demon seeks to gain power over the exorcist (e.g., Bauernfeind, Worte, 3–10; Burkill, Revelation, 72–80; cf. Guillemette, ScEs 30 [1978] 81–96). But Koch (Wundererzählungen, 57–61), in a survey of supposed parallels, has noted that the use of a name by the demon in an exorcism is extremely rare. And instead of being an apotropaic device to gain control over the exorcist, the few parallels where a name is given indicate the recognition and acknowledgment of the exorcist’s deity and the subordination of the demon. For example, “You come in peace, you great god who expels demons … I am your servant” (see K. Thraede, “Exorcism,” RAC 8 [1967] 48). The demon recognizes the deity and, as in Mark 1:24 and 5:7, acknowledges the exorcist to be superior. Therefore, this announcement shows the demon’s awareness of who Jesus is and that Jesus is his superior (Best, Temptation, 17). In so doing he identifies Jesus for Mark’s audience or reader.”
“Have you come to destroy us” – the demon knows and understands who Jesus is and that He is at opposition with the kingdom of Satan. There is no chance for demonic victory here, there is only defeat. The demon doesn’t challenge Jesus, but assumes the battle is already lost. This is significant for many today, where demons are seen as powerful and scary. Many view an exorcism as a battle, where a there is a fight between the pastor or priest and the demon. Yet for Jesus this was not the case! There was no battle.
Text:
“And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.”
Mark 1:29-34 (ESV)
Discussion:
Healing this fever was much more significant than we may think today. Today we lower a fever with a quick pill, or a cold bath. But in ancient days fever was much more serious and not well understood. As David E. Garland explains, Mark would have viewed healing the fever as a divine act (Garland 2015, 108).
“Rather than being a symptom of a disease, fever was considered by many Jews to be an illness with theological significance.34 Fevers could be regarded as a punishment sent by God for violating the covenant (Lev 26:14–17; Deut 28:20–22), and they were believed to be curable only by divine intervention (b. Ned. 41a). Jesus’ ability to heal her fever showed that he was able to do that which only God could do.”
I really struggled with this passage, trying to understand the significance. Why would Mark take time to explain that Jesus healed a fever? It seemed so small. But with this piece of the puzzle it makes sense, this healing is a divinity claim!
It is interesting that the Greek word for fever that Luke uses is the same word in the Septuagint that describes part of the curse of the law.
“The LORD will strike you with wasting disease and with fever, inflammation and fiery heat, and with drought and with blight and with mildew. They shall pursue you until you perish.”
Deuteronomy 28:22 (ESV)
But Mark is telling us more than just this. Here, instead of striking with a fever, Jesus is healing it! Luke is showing us that Jesus came to heal us from the curse of the law!
But what of Mark? Mark uses a different word than Luke, which is not used in the Old Testament. What is the meaning here? Jesus has just defeated the satanic realm with an exorcism and now He comes to Peter’s house or the house of his mother-in-law and heals his mother-in-law of a fever. We know that Jesus had a house in Capernaum, so why did He go to this house? It seems that they were leaving the Synagogue and going to the house for an afternoon meal or perhaps for just fellowship away from all the crowds. However, upon arriving they found that his wife’s mother could not serve them for she was sick. Jesus, immediately sees a need and meets it by healing her. The woman then sees a need and meets it, she serves Jesus and His disciples dinner! It interesting that very rarely was Jesus thanked for His good deeds. Indeed, He was often met with anger, rejection, or suspicion. Here though a woman once healed, immediately serves Him. What a great testimony to her character. She didn’t take time to rest when she could have! Instead, she was hospitable and served. This woman exemplified the heart of Jesus.
When evening had come many of the city gathered together in front of the house and He healed them. Once again, we see a comparison to Nazareth, where they didn’t respond with faith. Here, the word of Jesus healings and the exorcism had spread and the people of Capernaum believed and showed up to be healed. So Jesus healed them.
Next comes the massive amount of exorcisms. Here we are not given one story or event, but instead are told He “cast out many demons”. The work here is not just one of physical and mental healing but also one of spiritual healing. Jesus has not come to just heal the people but also to bring them into the kingdom of God. This is battle, and Jesus is taking the fight to the enemy! He is cleaning house, and He starts with the city that He has moved to. He brings the peace of the Lord to those whom are broken and downtrodden, beaten down by the enemy.
After this Jesus needs to recharge. He goes away into a private place, a place of desolation. We see this often in the ministry of Jesus, where after a large event of healing and exorcism He goes to a place alone to pray. Even being Yahweh in the flesh, He chose to seek the Father and commune with Him. It is interesting that so many desire power and signs, but are unwilling to spend the time in prayer that such things often require. For all the work that Jesus did that was seen there was so much more that was not seen, the quiet alone time where He abided with the Father.
Text:
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.”
Mark 1:35-39 (ESV)
Discussion:
After this recharge Jesus immediately goes to the next town over from Capernaum. He isn’t just bringing healings and peace to His own town, He is on a mission to cleans and heal Israel. He doesn’t stay where He’s comfortable, His own town, but instead goes to the next town.
Summary
This early stage of Jesus’ ministry makes it clear that He is at war with the enemy and will take no prisoners. He is here to bring the Kingdom of God and that means restoring the broken, healing those who are sick and diseased, and casting out demons from those who are demonized. Jesus is superior to them in authority and uses His own authority to cast them out. He does not rely on formulas or incantations but instead uses simple words to instruct them to leave. Cleaning house in Capernaum and another close city He has laid the foundation for His earthly ministry, one of compassion and service, full of healing and exorcisms.
Life Application
Today in Western Christianity it is common to deny that the Holy Spirit heals but that healings were only done during the early church to provide a witness to their authenticity. This view was purported by Luther and Calvin as a way to reject the miracles done by Catholics (Garland 1996, 89-90). Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water! This cessationist view does nothing but excuse a powerless (western) church. I myself have seen miracles and healings in my life, being healed when I was a child and very sick.
I don’t believe a man parading around on stage and practicing magical looking actions to “heal” people, or that a person seeking to buy another jet is a good source of healing or theology. However, we must be careful not to remove the good with the bad. Yes there have been abuses, but this does not mean that there are not real healings today. In countries where there is great need it is much more common to see healings, because they seek them with fervor and with perseverance.
I believe the daily application of this passage is prayer and healings. We should not seek healings for the sake of healings, but we should seek them as a way to glorify God and meet a need. He can and does heal. I believe Jesus made it clear that His heart is one of healing. This does not mean that everyone will be healed. We look to Him as the source, not only of healing, but also of the decision of such a healing. We must answer like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:17–18), that our God is able, but even if He doesn’t, we will serve Him. And then we pray, pray, and pray some more. Keep asking until you get an answer (either way).
“And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:5-13 (ESV)
Questions to Consider
Do you seek wholeness in Jesus physically, mentally, and spiritually?
Do you believe, truly believe, that God has more power than the enemy? If so, how do you live that out in your life?
If you were confronted with a person in need physically, mentally or spiritually how do you respond?
Connections
Luke 4:31-43
Matthew 8:14-17
Outline
Jesus teaches with authority and the people are astonished.
Jesus casts out a demon in the synagogue.
The fame of Jesus grows.
Jesus heals Peter’s Mother-in-law of a fever.
After the Sabbath Jesus heals a multitude and casts out many demons.
Jesus seeks solitude to pray and refresh.
Jesus goes into he next town and preaches and casts out demons.
References-
R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2002), 103.
Robert A. Guelich, Mark 1–8:26, vol. 34A, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1989), 57.
David E. Garland, A Theology of Mark’s Gospel: Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, ed. Andreas J. Köstenberger, Biblical Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015), 108.
David E. Garland, Mark, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 89–90.
