32. Teaching at the Synagogue
21On the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. 22And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.23And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;a 24and 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.”
25But Jesus said: “Be silent!”
26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
27And 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.”
28And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
(Mk. 1:21–28)
a “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;”—The Jews tended to view epilepsy as possession by an “unclean spirit.” Even the person suffering a seizure would often believe it was caused by an evil spirit. This event was portrayed as possession by an unclean spirit, but it may have been a case of a (misunderstood) epileptic seizure in which Jesus helped the man regain his composure and self-control.
Mk. 1:21 On / And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on (RSV) • Sabbath Jesus entered / Sabbath he entered (RSV)
Mk. 1:23 And there / And immediately there (RSV)
Mk. 1:25 silent!" / silent, and come out of him!" (RSV) (145:2/1629–31)
