The Ministry of Jesus in Galilee
Mark 1:16—8:30
A New King (1:16—3:6).
Kingdom is Near (1:15)
Popularity (1:16-45).
First Disciples Called (1:16-20).
Capernaum Synagogue (1:21-28).
First mention of Capernaum in Mark—Jesus’ base of operations (Matt. 4:13).
He appears to stay in or around Capernaum, at least according to Mark, until 4:34.
Capernaum is translated from “village of Nahum,” though no clear connection to the minor prophet.
It was founded after the Babylonian Captivity in the Intertestamental Period.
It had a population of ~1500 people, so that was the potential number of people who witnessed the events on this Sabbath Day.
It was the Sabbath, the last day of the week, a day to keep/remember.
On this day, the Jews were to rest, and it also became a day of worship.
The Jews developed the idea of the synagogue in Babylonian Captivity so they could still worship when away from their homeland.
Going to the synagogue is not unlike going to church.
In the synagogue, they had a chest with the scrolls in it, along with a raised platform and desk for the readers and teachers, lamps, and benches for the congregation.
It is believed that ancient Christian worship services were modeled after synagogue worship, which is not too dissimilar from our own.
Those who were asked to speak in the synagogue were rabbis, scribes, or even a special visitor (e.g. Acts 13:14-15) – Jesus qualified as a special visitor.
He taught them as one having authority – this was unique to their experience.
The rabbis and scribes of their time didn’t have the authority, but cited the Law or cited other scholars for what they taught.
Jesus, however, taught as though He were the authority—and of course, He was.
Do we have that kind of authority? NO.
The word for “astonished” implies they were struck with amazement as by a 2×4.
This is evident at the end of the SotM as well (Matt. 7:28-29).
Since this is similar to our modern worship service, imagine for a moment a man shouting in the middle of service Mark 1:24—we would certainly take notice!
Now imagine someone saying Mark 1:25, and the scene following in 1:26.
How would you react?
They were further amazed, though this word implies also that they were frightened—certainly such a sight was frightening!
What does this event teach us about Jesus?
He taught with authority.
His identity was confirmed by the testimony of the demons.
His identity was also confirmed by His power over the spiritual realm.
Why did He tell the demon to be quiet? (cf. 1:34, 44-45).
He would not accept the confession of a demon (James 2:19).
He did not want to be driven by the misconceptions that abounded concerning the Messiah.
He was worried He would constantly be accosted when He had other things He needed to do.
After this, He became famous—as you might imagine!
Let’s take a moment and discuss demon-possession.
The closest thing we see in the OT is with King Saul (1 Sam. 16:14ff).
Other clues that they existed are with a lying spirit—though this is said to have been from the Lord (1 Kgs 22:23).
Whatever the case, it seems to have increased dramatically in the time of Jesus.
It seems as if they were there simply to allow Jesus a chance to show His power over the spiritual realm, and that of His Apostles (e.g. 6:12-13; Acts 19:11-20).
It is no surprise, then, that after the end of the miraculous spiritual gifts, that demon-possession ended, too.