****Mark 1:21-28 Amazing Authority over Evil!

Mark 1:21–28 (NRSV)

21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 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.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Evil is present in the world and the devil and his demons are on the rampage! Governments spend billions of dollars on buildings, supplies, and workers to fight against evil. Police officers seek to capture evil doers to correct them. They apprehend them to try to reform them. The prison system is full of evil and many go into prison and come out of prison with evil still in them. It is obvious at the widespread evil in the world that Satan is at work overtime.

The problem is that many in the world do not recognize the source of the problem and the saddest thing is that many in the church, who claim to be Christian’s, don’t recognize the source of evil.

○ Though the police is needed and they do the best that they can do,

○ though the army is needed and they do the best that they can do,

○ though the secret service is needed and they do the best they can do,

○ no human agency can resist, renounce, reject, and reform evil.

Evil has been around on the earth since the Garden of Eden and Satan and his demons are still wreaking havoc on this world. Demons are real and they still are active today. Demons possess people today and they seek to destroy life and do the work of Satan. Demons: Are evil spirits under Satan that oppose the work of God and torment people. They are able to indwell people and cause pain, suffering, and even bring death.

• Demon possession: The control of an individual’s personality so that actions are influenced by an evil demonic spirit.

• The signs of demons possession in the New Testament include: speechlessness, deafness, blindness, fierceness, unusual strength, convulsions, and foaming at the mouth.

• Demon possession effects the mind as well as the body of the individual.

• Demon possession appears throughout the gospels and represented the outburst of satanic opposition to God’s work in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We cannot and should not ever deny the power and influence of evil spirits and the devil in this world. With that in mind we should also never fret and fear and falter before evil, because greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. The Lord Jesus has amazing authority over evil and He has given that authority to His church.

Luke 10:17–20 says, “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Today we are going to learn about the Lord’s amazing authority over evil. Mark proclaimed the announcement, authority, acceptance, and astonishment involved in this miracle. The Lord’s authority over evil should give the church confidence to face evil today. I want to challenge God’s people to trust in the Lord’s word, believe that He is able to overcome all evil, and to allow the Lord to drive out the evil in the church, in our homes, and in this world. Are you facing demonic attacks? Is the devil attacking your marriage, your family, and your life? Do you believe that Jesus has authority over all evil? Satan is no match for the King of glory!

This passage gives us some great insights into the Lord’s amazing authority over evil.

I. The place of the miracle. (vs. 21)

“Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.”

Jesus had just called the first four of His disciples and they had followed Him. Andrew, Peter, James, and John were with Jesus as they traveled from the Sea of Galilee into the town of Capernaum. They came into the town of Capernaum on the Sabbath day and immediately went into the synagogue.

Synagogue: is a Jewish place of worship. Synagogues were placed in towns and cities throughout the country so that the Jews could come together and worship.

In the synagogue they would have a time of praise, prayer, and reading and expounding the Old Testament Scriptures. The synagogue would be for them like our place of worship today. Notice: Jesus was always in the synagogue at worship on the Sabbath. The Bible says that Jesus immediately entered the synagogue on the Sabbath.

→ Honoring the Lord’s Day was and still is important to the Lord, is it important to you?

Immediately gives the picture that it was a priority of Jesus, to find the synagogue and meet together in worship. Capernaum was the place that Jesus came to and this is the place of the exorcism. Capernaum was blessed by the Lord’s presence and was blessed by the Lord’s power, but for the most part they balked at the Lord Person. The Lord Jesus performed 11 recorded miracles in the town of Capernaum, but for the most part that town did not receive Him.

Matthew 11:23–24 Jesus says, “And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

When we’ve been blessed by God’s presence and God’s power and provision, we will be held more accountable at God’s judgment.

We’ve seen the place of the miracle. Next, we see:

II. The problem of the man. (vs. 23–24)

A. He was present in the synagogue. (vs. 23)

“Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,”

The problem for those in the synagogue there was one in their midst who was demon possessed.

◾ The problem of this man was not that he was present in the synagogue, but that he was possessed by a demon spirit.

◾ It amazes me at what demons will do and where demons will appear.

Demons are present at rock concerts where there is blasphemy, drugs, and sex. Demons are present in the slaughter of unborn babies and in those who take the life of a person in their homes, businesses, and banks. We know that the thief has come to kill, steal, and destroy and that is what the demons are about. We also learn that demons are present in worship meetings where God is supposed to be honored and glorified.

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “We wonder how many synagogue services that man had attended without revealing that he was demonized. It took the presence of the Son of God to expose the demon.”

When the Lord Jesus is present in the church the demons get restless and show out. They may come into the presence of the Lord, but they cannot stay in the presence of the Lord.

John Phillips wrote, “We do not know how often this demoniac had been to the synagogue before; quite likely he was a regular attendee. The devil has little to fear from the usual synagogue service. Certainly the man with the unclean spirit had never heard there anything that had disturbed him before. But this new kind of preaching was something else.”

Satan is present today in many churches through the demons and they quench the Spirit of God, they stifle praise to God, they want to put out the preaching of God’s word. This should give us a warning that this man with an unclean spirit was present that day in the synagogue.

Where demons are there will be oppression, manipulation, intimidation, and domination.

That is the way that Satan works!

We learn that this man was not only present when the Lord showed up, but he was vocal when the word went out. The man with an unclean spirit cried out. He was present in the synagogue.

Next we see:

B. He was possessed by a spirit. (vs. 23–24)

“Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!”

This demon was in the man and the man was in the demon. The demon had access to and control of this man. This unclean spirit compelled the man to cry out when the Lord Jesus came into the service.

• This man was possessed by the demon and the demon had control of his mind and his mouth.

• The demon had control of this man’s eyes and his ears.

He didn’t like what he saw and he didn’t like what he heard. He made known his displeasure with the Son of God. The demons recognized the Lord because they knew the Lord before they were cast out of heaven with Satan when they rebelled against the Lord. The demon pleads with Jesus to let them alone. He was saying, ‘You don’t bother us and we won’t bother you!’ But that is a lie out of the pits of hell. This demon was present to discourage belief in the Lord’s word and distract from real worship of the Lord. Folks that are demon possessed do not like for people to believe the word of the Lord and worship the Lord in Spirit and truth.

Matthew Henry wrote, “This man was in the synagogue; he did not come either to be taught or to be healed, but, as some think, to confront Christ and oppose Him, and hinder people from believing on Him.”

The devil is still trying to oppose the work and word of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!” This man was not speaking, but it was the devil speaking through him. “What have we to do with You” can be translated “What do you want with us?” “What do we have in common?” The demons wanted Jesus to go away and leave them alone!

The demons knew who Jesus was and they still know who Jesus is today. They believed that He was the Son of God—the Holy One of God!

J. C. Ryle wrote, “The mere belief of the facts and doctrines of Christianity will never save our souls. Such belief is no better than the belief of devils. They all believe and know that Jesus is the Christ. They believe that He will one day judge the world, and cast them down to endless torment in hell. It is a solemn and sorrowful thought that on these points some professing Christians have even less faith than the devil. There are some who doubt the reality of hell and the eternity of punishment. Such doubts as these find no place except in the hearts of self-willed men and women. There is no infidelity among devils. “They believe and tremble.’ (James 2:19)”

Randy Alcorn said, “Demons are atheists in their behavior, but fundamentalists in their beliefs.”

This man cried out in the middle of the worship service and the Lord showed His authority over evil. This meeting on this Sabbath in this synagogue in Capernaum was like none other that they had before. This man was possessed of the devil and the demons controlled his actions and his announcement. We will learn later that Jesus did not receive the witness of a demon. This man had a major problem. He was possessed by a spirit. Today’s world people are fascinated by the occult and the spirit world and many in our day are demon possessed and need to be delivered.

We’ve noticed the place of the miracle, the problem of the man, and next, we see:

III. The power of the Master. (vs. 22, 25–26)

A. He has power in His doctrine. (vs. 22)

“And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

Jesus and His disciples came into the synagogue and the Lord Jesus came to teach the people the word of God. The Lord Jesus preached with authority and He had power in His doctrine. The people were astonished.

Astonished: to strike with astonishment-amaze, astonish.

The word means ‘to be struck by a blow, to be thunderstruck.’ The Lord preached the word with authority and the people were astonished at His words. The people were astonished at the message He preached and the manner in which He preached. The Lord’s words brought authority and conviction as He opened up the Scriptures to the hearts of those present. The Lord’s message blew the people’s minds. This wasn’t some dry, formal, rabbi speaking. This was the Incarnate Son of the Living God giving the water of Life to the thirsty and the bread of life to the hungry. The scribes may have had formal training and spent hours upon hours of studying. They may have had training in public speaking, but they did not teach and preach like the Lord Jesus. He has power in His doctrine.

Many in the synagogue in Capernaum heard the message, but they never heeded the message. They were astonished at the Master, but they never accepted the Master.

Matthew Poole rightly said, “It is one thing for the people to be astonished and amazed at a new doctrine, and to admire the preacher, but another thing to believe; we read of many amongst the Jews that were affected at the hearing of Christ with astonishment and admiration, but of few that believed in Him.”

Many in our day come to church service after church service and you hear the word of God explained and expounded and yet you never believe. The preacher is to preach the word of God with power and authority as he shares God’s word and not His own. When there is power in the pulpit the forces of evil will be seeking to distract those in the pew. We see in this passage that the preaching of the Lord Jesus disturbed the demons of hell. Satan does not want the word of God preached and does not want the people to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

John G. Butler wrote, “When Divine truth was proclaimed with excellence and the Divine Son was praised, the unclean spirit interrupted the service and made an ugly scene. This problem still exists today; for when the Written Word of God is preached well and the Incarnate Word of God is thereby exalted, evil always gets upset. Unregenerate and disobedient and carnal church members will not like the honoring of Divine truth.”

Many churches do not face any opposition from the devil and demons because they are not doing anything for the Lord. Herbert Lockyer said, “One wonders whether much of our modern preaching disturbs the evil forces of hell. Being destitute of the authority, power, and unction characterizing Christ’s ministry, it never causes the least stir in the councils of hell.” God help us to get back to preaching the book, teaching the book, and living by the book. The Lord’s powerful message stirred up the demons of hell in the man in the synagogue. When is the last time that we’ve stirred up the demons of hell? The power of the Master is evident. He has power in His doctrine.

Next, we see:

B. He has power over demons. (vs. 25–26)

1. His demand of the demon. (vs. 25)

“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”

This man had cried out with a loud voice and caused a great disturbance in the worship service.

→ The Lord Jesus did not debate with evil, did not give place to evil, and did not put up with evil.

The Lord Jesus rebuked this demon. He did suggest that he leave the man alone, but Jesus demanded that the demon come out of the man.

Rebuked: means to charge and command. This was done firmly and sternly before the eyes and ears of all those present in the synagogue. Rebuke: means ‘to put a muzzle on.’ An English equivalent of this word would be ‘to shut up.’

Jesus told the man to be quiet, to shut your mouth and come out of the man. The Lord Jesus was addressing the demon that was possessing the man. The Lord Jesus always addresses and confronts evil. He confronted evil in my life, has He confronted evil in your life?

Jesus shows His amazing authority over evil.

He demands that the demon depart from the man. Jesus gave a clear demand of the demon. The demon had no choice. He was to submit to the authority of the Son of God. He was to shut his mouth and say no more and to come out of the man. Jesus has power over demons. This is seen in His demand of the demon. It is also seen in:

2. The departure of the demon. (vs. 26)

“And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.”

In verse 26 we see the Lord’s power over demons as He commanded and the demon complied. Mark gives us a description of the exorcism. The unclean demon came out of the man, but he didn’t do it without causing a physical disturbance in the man.

Convulsed: convulse with epilepsy, rend, tear.

The man physically jerked and was thrown about as the demon departed. The demon left the man but he didn’t like it. The devil always has to submit to the Lord’s authority, but he never likes it. Though the man had convulsed and was thrown about, the Bible makes clear that the demon did not hurt the man.

Luke 4:35 says, “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him.”

Richard Trench make a great observation here, “Satan tempts, plagues, and buffets none so fiercely as those who are in the act of being delivered from his tyranny forever.” I can testify to that as well. Make no mistake about it when the Lord Jesus speaks to your heart and draws you to Himself, the devil and the demons of hell intensify their temptations and attacks. The demon departed and Jesus showed His authority over evil by casting out the unclean spirit. The demon came out of the man with a physical uproar, but he also came out of the man with a vocal uproar.

→ Great Truth: The preaching of the word of God and the power of the Son of God always causes an uproar.

The Bible says, “and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.” The demon cried out with a loud voice.

Loud: high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, x to years.

Voice: saying or language, noise, sound, voice.

Put together these two words make up our English word Megaphone.

• Megaphones are used

• at pep rallies,

• political rallies,

• used by officers to call out the bad guys,

• they are used during games

• and anywhere someone wants to be heard.

• Megaphone project your voice so that it can clearly be heard.

The demon came out of the man with a loud voice that everyone was able to hear. The whole town may have heard it, but we do know one thing that the whole town and country heard about it. The departure of the demon was evident and obvious to all. The Power of the Master was displayed to the people and before the people. He has power in His doctrine, He has power over demons

We’ve seen the place of the miracle, the problem of the man, the power of the Master, and lastly we see:

IV. The people that marveled. (vs. 27–28)

A. What they deduced! (vs. 27)

“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.”

The power of the Lord made an impression, on the people. They were all amazed and they questioned among themselves.

When they left the meeting that day, they had something to talk about. They had never seen anything like this in all their lives. They knew that Jesus taught them with authority and power and the exorcism gave evidence of His power over demons. There was a buzz in the Capernaum synagogue that day. Has there ever been a buzz at church? Has Jesus showed up and preached on and cast out and was lifted up? The Lord Jesus was lifted up that day in that Jewish synagogue. The people deduced from all the teaching and the confrontation and the expelling of the demon that Jesus had power that they had never seen and they were amazed.

• Amazed: This is a different word than astonished in verse 22.

• This word means ‘to stupefy, to amaze, to astound with surprise.’

If you were there that day you would have come to the same conclusion that these people came to. We would have been astonished and amazed that the demon spirits obey His word. He has power and authority over all evil! The people marveled at the power of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We see in verse 27 what they deduced!

Next, we see:

B. What they declared! (vs. 28)

“And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.”

The people left the synagogue that day and at once went out and published what had happened that day. They began to spread the news of the power and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Immediately: means “straightway, at once, forthwith.” The people couldn’t wait to tell what happened at the synagogue that day. Would to God that the Lord would work in such a way that we cannot wait to tell somebody about the Awesome Lord Jesus and His mighty work!

• Can you imagine the conversations at the round table on Sunday Morning at the Capernaum family restaurant?

• Can you not hear the conversation at Hezekiah’s Barbershop!

• Think about what was going on at Zedekiah’s Camel dealership.

• They were telling of the power of God at Emmanuel’s Exports!

Travelers were coming in and doing business and going off with news of the Mighty Son of God that had power and authority over evil.

• News was spreading that day through the shops at the Capernaum Mall.

• The news couldn’t wait, they had to tell someone about the Holy One of Israel!

They declared the truth of the power and presence and Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. They did their part in spreading the word, are we doing are part? The news spread around all the region of Galilee. There was not a place that Jesus couldn’t go in all of Galilee that His reputation didn’t precede Him.

Jerry Vines said, “When Jesus comes to any church, it will be a source of amazement. When Jesus gets in a church, it is the greatest advertisement a church can have. Let the word get out that Jesus is somewhere and people will come to see what’s going to happen.”

Conclusion:The Lord Jesus can set you free from the power of the devil! He will forgive you of your sins—seal you with the Holy Spirit—give you eternal life—and cause you to live in victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil! The Lord Jesus is able to deliver you from all evil! Would you come and allow the Son of God to work in you and through you? God is an all-powerful and all-knowing God and He knows what you are struggling with.

Authority in the Synagogue Mark 1: 21-28

As we continue moving through the Gospel of Mark, bear in mind that he is writing primarily to a Roman audience, seeking to portray Jesus as the Servant of Men. It is a dialogue that moves rapidly from one event to the next. The fast pace, with which Mark wrote, skipped over several accounts and details that were recorded in Matthew and Luke. It is believed that the timeframe between Verse 13, following Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, and Verse 14, dealing with the imprisonment of John, is about a year. It is also believed that Jesus’ popular Sermon on the Mount was delivered between Verses 20 and 21. This time period included Jesus’ ministry in Nazareth, calling other disciples and being rejected of His own people. It doesn’t appear that Mark sought to minimize those accounts, but for whatever reason, he chose not to include them in his Gospel. Our text picks up after a period of time following the call of Andrew, Peter, James, and John. Jesus is found within the synagogue at Capernaum, teaching the Word.

Capernaum served as a home-base for Jesus’ ministry. As He taught and ministered among the people that day, it quickly became evident that Jesus was no ordinary man. He spoke with authority and exercised power that captured the attention of those present within the synagogue.

As we look in on that day of teaching, I want to examine the details of this encounter as we consider: Authority in the Synagogue.

I. His Authority in the Scriptures (21-22) – These verses reveal the authority with which Jesus spoke as He expounded upon the Scriptures in the synagogue.

Notice: A. His Passion (21) – And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. We do know that some time has passed since the last details we have, but Mark reveals that when they came into Capernaum, Jesus immediately went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. Now, some may argue that any good Jewish man would have been found in the synagogue on the Sabbath, but I am convinced this reveals the passion Jesus had for the Word and the house of God. We know, according to John’s Gospel, that Jesus was the Word incarnate. He is the Living Word. Jesus is immediately found in the synagogue, teaching the Word, going about His Father’s business.

 The example of Jesus ought to generate a hunger within the believer to study the Word of God and be found at the house of God. It isn’t a burden, but a privilege. Our relationship with Christ alone should compel us to seek His Word and fellowship with His people at His house.

B. Their Perception (22a) – And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. As Jesus rose to teach, those present immediately noticed this man was unique. He wasn’t like the others; He spoke with authority, having an intimate knowledge of doctrine. They were literally astonished – being struck with amazement and wonder. His teaching was not what they expected, but it certainly made an impact on those who heard Him!

C. His Persuasion (22b) – And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. Mark declared that Jesus taught differently than other men. He was not as the scribes, but one who taught with authority. His words and teaching were not centered on the teachings of other scribes or surrounded with Jewish law and tradition. He had not come to appeal to their human interest. He came to speak the Word in truth and power. His words resonated with the crowd without the approval of others or references to the teachings of other mortals. He delivered a message unlike any they had heard before.

 While it is impossible for mere mortals to possess the wisdom of Christ, these principles apply today. Those who teach and preach the Word should allow the Scripture to speak for itself. It doesn’t need to be propped up by the opinions of men. It doesn’t need our personal preferences interjected into it. We are not asked to manipulate the Scripture in order to appeal to modern society. We must be faithful to deliver the text as it is written, allowing the Word to speak!

II. His Authority over the Spirits (23-26) – As Jesus taught in the synagogue, he encountered a man with an unclean spirit. Mark revealed the authority Jesus possessed over the spirits.

Notice: A. The Resistance (23) – And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out. In the audience that day was man with an unclean spirit. As Jesus was teaching the Word with power and authority, the spirit within the man caused him to cry out during Jesus’ teaching. The spirit was uncomfortable in the presence of Jesus and sought to resist His teaching. The multitude was astonished at Jesus’ teaching and the devil always seeks to hinder the reception of truth, even if Jesus Himself was teaching. (This same resistance remains today. We can expect the enemy to put forth an effort to hinder the truth of God’s Word from being proclaimed and received.)

B. The Recognition (24) – Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. Although the spirit was uncomfortable with Jesus’ teaching, and wanted to resist truth being proclaimed, it had to recognize Jesus as the Christ, the Holy One of God. The spirit actually feared Jesus had come to destroy it, and wanted nothing to do with Him.

 While the spirit had no desire to be in the presence of Jesus, it did acknowledge His deity. The devil will work against the Lord and those who seek to serve Him until he is cast into the lake of fire, and yet he knows Jesus is the Christ.

Sadly, many today will not acknowledge Jesus as Lord today. They refuse to admit their need for Him or the deity He possesses. Just as this unclean spirit, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ in Lord, whether in submission at salvation or in condemnation at the Great White Throne.

C. The Rebuke (25) – And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. Jesus commanded the spirit to remain quiet and come out of the man. Just as Jesus possessed and revealed absolute authority in the Scriptures, He also possessed absolute authority over this unclean spirit. He had the power to rebuke the spirit and direct its action. Jesus wasn’t about to allow this unclean spirit to continue disrupting His teaching or resist His authority.

D. The Response (26) – And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. Upon hearing the command of Jesus, the spirit was forced to obey. The Lord had given the command and the spirit departed. It wasn’t pleased with the actions of Jesus, causing the man to convulse, and crying with a loud shriek as it departed. The spirit had no choice but to depart, but it wasn’t pleased with being cast out.

 No doubt this would have been an unsettling experience, and yet it offers hope and assurance to the believer. We serve One who possesses all power. He has authority over creation, humanity, and even the forces of Satan and evil. As His command, evil has to flee. We will face nothing that Jesus cannot control. While our situation wasn’t as graphic, we too were bound by sin and evil. Our lives were controlled by sin and the lusts of the flesh. Like this man, we were unable to provide for our deliverance. Jesus made the way of redemption for us, and I rejoice for the day He delivered me from sin and condemnation!

III. The Awareness of the People (27-28) – Following the unclean spirit being cast out, the people became keenly aware that Jesus was no ordinary man. Mark recorded their awareness of Him.

Consider: A. Their Amazement (27a) – And they were all amazed…This should come as no surprise, but we discover the people were all amazed. They stood astonished at His teaching and they stood amazed as He cast the unclean spirit from the man. He not only had the ability to speak with authority, but His words had authority over evil spirits. Clearly this Man was unique, unlike any they had ever encountered.

 “I stand amazed in the presence Of Jesus the Nazarene; And I wonder how He could love me, A sinner condemned, unclean. Chorus: How marvelous, how wonderful, And my song shall ever be. How marvelous, how wonderful Is my Savior's love for me.” We must never lose our awe and wonder for Christ our Lord. His presence and power is beyond comprehension, and yet I rejoice for His provision and grace in my life!

B. Their Acceptance (27b) – 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. While they were unable to explain what had happened, there was no doubt that a miracle had been performed before their eyes. They had never heard someone teach with such authority and conviction. They had never encountered one who had authority over the unclean spirits. They stood amazed in the presence of Jesus and acknowledged His power!

 I am happy to report that there are none who compare to Jesus. He alone has the power to heal and redeem. He alone has the power to deliver from sin, taking a heart of stone and transforming it into a heart of flesh. He alone can breathe eternal life into one who is dead in trespasses and sin! I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene!

C. His Acclaim (28) – And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. One really couldn’t expect a different response. Following such an eventful Sabbath at the synagogue, Jesus’ fame immediately began to spread throughout all Galilee. The people were unable to remain quiet about the wonder they had witnessed that day. They had to share it with everyone they met.

 What a challenge for the modern church. We encounter the Lord’s mighty presence and authority every day. We too have witnessed deliverance from sin through His power and grace. He continues to speak with authority through His Word, guided by the Holy Spirit, and yet we go about our lives as if we have encountered nothing worthy of repeating. I pray we will become like those in the text, determined to make Him known to a world that desperately needs His touch! Let’s tell everyone we know about Jesus Christ, our gracious and loving Lord.

Conclusion: While we are thousands of years removed, this passage is relevant for our day. Jesus has not changed. He still speaks with authority and has the ability to deliver from the bonds of sin. The church must be willing to proclaim Him to a lost and dying world. If there are needs in your life, especially salvation, come to the One who possesses all power and authority!

Jesus’ Power Over Evil Spirits and Its Impact: Delivering the Most Enslaved, 1:23–28

(1:23–28) Introduction: man can be delivered from all the forces of evil by the power of Jesus. He can even be delivered from unclean spirits that enslave him, no matter the grip of the enslavement.

Jesus has the power to deliver man (Ro. 8:31; 1 Jn. 4:4). (See outline, notes and DEEPER STUDY # 1,2—Mt. 8:28–34; notes—17:14–21; Lu. 8:26–39.)

1. Picture 1: the need of the possessed man (v. 23–24).

2. Picture 2: the power of Jesus (v. 25–26).

3. Picture 3: the impact upon people (v. 27–28).

1 (1:23–24) Evil Spirits: the first picture is that of the possessed man and his need. The words “with an unclean spirit” (en pneumati akatharto) should be translated “in” (en) an unclean spirit. The man was in the grasp, in the possession of the unclean spirit. He was in the grip, captivated by the unclean spirit. He was under the spell, the will of the unclean spirit. To better understand the meaning, think of all the evil in the world, all the evil that occurs every hour and every day. Then note John’s words, “The whole world lieth in the wicked [or evil] one” (en to ponero, 1 Jn. 5:19). That is, the world lies under the influence, power, bondage, will, and grip of the evil one. In the very same sense, this man was possessed by an unclean spirit. (See DEEPER STUDY # 1—Mt. 8:28–34 for a discussion of the Bible’s teaching on evil spirits. Also see note—Lu. 8:26–39.)

Note three things.

1. The possessed man, surprisingly, was in the synagogue. What was he doing there? Was he a regular attender or had he come just to hear Jesus? We are not told. But if he were a regular attender, then the synagogue was spiritually dead. How do we know this? Because the man could attend services time after time and never be helped spiritually.

Thought 1. How many services are dead, so lifeless that men with evil spirits can sit in the services and never be convicted or helped spiritually?

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Ti. 3:5).

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept [tradition] of men: therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work [work of judgment] among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?” (Is. 29:13–15).

Thought 2. How many sit in church and hear the Word of God week after week or live among believers and never make a decision to turn from their evil? They sit in service after service and brush shoulders with believers day by day, but they never decisively turn to God.

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye” (Ac. 7:51).

2. The possessed man raged and cried out, sensed and recoiled from purity. The unclean spirit cried out in recognition of three things.

a. The unclean spirit cried, “What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth?” The unclean spirit was entirely different from the clean spirit of Jesus. Jesus is perfectly pure and sinless. The unclean spirit had nothing to do with the purity of Jesus. The unclean spirit was diametrically opposed to the holiness of Jesus.

Thought 1. Sin, dirt, pollution, and uncleanness do not have a part or a place with Jesus. Jesus has no uncleanness in Him whatsoever.

b. The unclean spirit recognized that Jesus had come to destroy him. Down deep within, the unclean persons know they are to judged and destroyed. They hate and despise, ignore and neglect, hide and rationalize in order to continue their unclean ways. The paradox is that they know they will be judged even while they are sinning and rebelling against God. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:8).

c. The unclean spirit identified Jesus. He said, “I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” He confessed Jesus. As James says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (Js. 2:19).

Thought 1. What an indictment against so many! They deny, while devils confess.

Thought 2. Knowing that Jesus is the Holy One of God is not enough. A person has to believe in Christ and love Him and live a clean and pure life.

3. The possessed man identified Jesus. This point is so significant it bears repeating: “I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God,” that is, the Holy Son of God (see DEEPER STUDY # 1, Evil Spirits—Mt. 8:28–34; Son of God—Jn. 1:34).

Thought 1. One of the major purposes of Jesus in confronting evil spirits was to prove His Messiahship (see DEEPER STUDY # 1—Mt. 8:28–34). He is the Messiah!

Thought 2. The world cries out, “What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth?” Why? Because He is the Son of God who demands belief and purity of life, self-denial and a life of sacrifice. “What have we to do with thee …?”

⇒ Wealth cries, “Leave us alone. Let us secure ourselves, build up, and bank more and more.”

⇒ Power cries, “Leave us alone. Let us take over, exercise authority, rule and reign, dominate, maneuver and manipulate as we will.”

⇒ Ego cries, “Leave us alone. Let us seek recognition, attention, esteem, honor, and praise as we wish.”

⇒ Flesh cries, “Leave us alone. Let us excite, indulge, stimulate, relax, release, escape, party, revel, and carouse as we desire.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Lu. 9:23–24).

2 (1:25–26) Jesus Christ—Power—Salvation: the second picture is that of the power of Jesus.

1. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit. Note the words, “Hold thy peace.” Jesus did not accept demonic testimony to His Messiahship. Why? Such acknowledgment was involuntary, that is, of the mind only. It was only the mental knowledge that Jesus was the Son of God. It was not of the heart nor of the will to follow Jesus. It did not come from being born again. The witness Jesus wants is the witness of a man who has made a deliberate decision to profess Him as Lord; the witness of a heart truly changed; the witness of a heart moved by the Spirit of God to confess, “Thou art the Holy One of God” (Mk. 8:29; see Mk. 1:34).

Note also the power of Jesus. He casts the unclean spirit out. How? By His Word, by simply saying, “Come out of him.”

Thought 1. Just meditate for a moment upon the power of the Lord’s Word. He simply spoke what He willed—for the unclean spirit to come out of the man—and what He willed happened. How we need to learn to depend upon His Word as we confront the unclean spirits of this world!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel [the Word] of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Ro. 1:16).

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (He. 4:12).

“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Je. 23:29).

Thought 2. We must make the true confession of Jesus, the confession of a believing and clean heart.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Ro. 12:1–2).

“But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body” (1 Co. 6:17–18).

2. The evil spirit obeyed. Note the words “torn him” (sparasso). The words mean to be convulsed. Apparently the man had a convulsion, jerking to and fro and crying out with a loud voice.

The question is sometimes asked, Why all this? Why such a scene? Why did Jesus not calmly heal the man in a serene atmosphere? There are probably two reasons.

a. The evil and unclean spirits in the world are powerful forces, possessing enormous power to enslave and possess man. Their power could be more clearly seen in a convulsive and noisy scene. People needed to know that the evil and unclean forces of the world are the true enemies of mankind. They are the powerful forces who enslaved men with their dirty, intoxicating, and immoral habits.

b. The man was possessed by an unclean spirit. The convulsion and cry were evidence of the unclean spirit’s actually being in the man.

3. The convulsion and cry demonstrated the power and Messiahship of Jesus. Jesus was actually conquering the force of evil within a man, and only God had such a power.

Thought 1. When the unclean spirit of a man is cast out, when a man really changes and is cleansed, he undergoes a convulsive experience. Conversion is always a convulsive experience. Change is convulsive.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Ac. 3:19).

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Ro. 6:16–18; see Ro. 6:19–23).

“But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Ro. 7:23–25).

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Co. 5:17).

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Pe. 1:23).

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps. 19:7).

3 (1:27–28) Decision—Jesus Christ, Response to: the third picture is that of the impact upon people. The people reacted in three ways.

1. They were amazed (ethambethesan), astonished. What the people had witnessed was unbelievable. Using no charms, no invocations, no exorcising devices, Jesus simply said, “Come out of him”; and the unclean spirit was dramatically cast out of the man. The people were shocked and stunned.

2. They questioned and buzzed among themselves, “What thing is this? What new power or revelation (doctrine) is this? What is God showing us? Is the revelation, the doctrine, the power from and of the Messiah? ‘For with authority commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they do obey Him.’ ” The people were doing just what Jesus had wanted. They were questioning if He were the Messiah.

3. They spread His fame everywhere. Imagine the conversation in the stores, businesses, homes, and streets as people travelled throughout the area and throughout the world.

Thought 1. The impact upon us should be the same. All three responses should characterize us as we witness the power of God in changing and healing lives. Yet, how gospel-hardened so many of us become.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Ti. 2:2).

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pe. 3:15).

“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Jn. 1:3).