Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit (Mark 1:21–28)
Jesus came to this earth as God’s Messiah as promised by the Law and the Prophets. He came in the likeness of human(incarnation). Coming to Galilee—a land that had been looked down on—He began preaching the good news of God. “The time has come,” He said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Now is the time to welcome the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. To receive the gospel, we must turn from lies, hatred, and complaining hearts, and come to God with gratitude and praise.
Jesus called His first disciples—Simon and Andrew, James and John. They left their boats, nets, and even their father to follow Jesus. But as young Jewish men, it was hard for them to accept a suffering Christ, because they longed for a strong, earthly kingdom. Eventually, they came to believe that Jesus—who died on the cross and rose again—was the very Christ whom the Scriptures had foretold. They became His witnesses throughout Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth in the first century.
In Mark 1:21–28, Jesus entered the synagogue in Capernaum and taught with authority and power as the Son of God, revealing the mystery of the kingdom of heaven. When He saw a man possessed by an impure spirit, He rebuked the spirit and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” And the evil spirit obeyed.
The Lord of the Sabbath
“They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.” (Mark 1:21)
Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was instituted on the seventh day of creation when God finished His creation work and declared the day holy and blessed. In Genesis 1, God created the heavens and the earth in six days, and on the seventh, He rested. But God’s “rest” was not just about stopping work—it pointed to something deeper.
The universe God created is vast, majestic, and glorious. The way the planets orbit, the sun shines, and the rain falls all reflect the Creator’s handiwork. Earth, the only planet where life thrives, receives its energy and resources through God’s provision.
Not only did God design the laws of nature, but He also created mankind in His image and in His likeness to rule over creation. Everything God made was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). There was no flaw or lack. But among God’s creatures, one—“the morning star”—rebelled against the Lord, seeking to take His place. This being, Satan, tempted Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, bringing sin and death into the world.
In response, God promised a Redeemer—the “offspring of the woman,” Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:15). God’s rest includes His completed work of creation, His response to humanity’s fall, and His promise of redemption. His rest is not anxious or worried—it is perfect peace and unshakable calm. Though the world is in chaos—wars, hatred, jealousy, and violence—God remains at rest.
This is beautifully shown in the risen Christ, who now sits at the right hand of God in heaven, waiting until all His enemies are made a footstool for His feet.
“The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’” (Matthew 22:44)
God not only rests, but also invites all who believe in Christ to enter into His rest. In Christ, God blesses us with true peace. His rest is holy and complete—nothing lacking. Jesus calls His disciples to experience that rest. Anyone who comes to Him in faith will be filled with it.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
The People Were Amazed at His Teaching
“The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” (Mark 1:22)
People were amazed when Jesus taught in the synagogue. Every Sabbath, they had heard the teachers of the law, but Jesus was different. He spoke with authority. Jesus is the Son of God—the very one through whom all things were created. He didn’t quote other rabbis like the scribes did. The words that came from His mouth were words of truth that pierced people’s hearts.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1–3)
Jesus never sinned and there was no deceit in His mouth (1 Peter 2:22). He lived in perfect unity with the Father, and the Father dwelled in Him. So when Jesus spoke, He spoke the very words of God who created heaven and earth. He knows everyone. He knows what’s in a person’s heart and what they’re thinking.
“But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” (John 2:24–25)
Jesus will return as the King of kings and Lord of lords, the righteous Judge of the world (Revelation 19:16). God judges each person according to what they have done (Romans 2:6). Though He knows how deeply sin corrupts our thoughts and desires (Genesis 6:5; 8:21), He desires that we repent and turn back to what is good.
Before Jesus judges, He offered Himself as the sacrifice for our sins. His death on the cross was the Father’s plan and will from before the creation of the world. Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, took our place and redeemed us. So when we hear and receive His teaching, it brings life, light, hope, joy, and peace.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
A Life that Matches His Words
When someone’s life matches their words, their influence is powerful. Jesus, the Son of God, is worthy of eternal glory, praise, and honor. Yet He came in human form, taking the nature of a servant, to save sinners. He preached the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. He was arrested, tried, and crucified to give life to those who were lost.
His teaching was the truth that brings life to the lost. He forgave the sins of the paralyzed man brought through the roof (Mark 2:5). He forgave Simon Peter, who said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man,” telling him, “Don’t be afraid” (Luke 5:8–10). He forgave the woman caught in adultery, saying, “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11).
Through all this, Jesus was showing that He would shed His blood on the cross to pay for their sins. Because only through the precious blood of Christ can any person be cleansed from sin.
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit
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. (Mark 1:23-28)
When Jesus was preaching in the synagogue, there was a man with unclean spirit. The man possessed by a demon wasn’t just sick or disturbed. He was tormented by a real, unseen spiritual force—a demon, impure and defiant toward God.
Why are these spirits called “unclean”? Because they oppose and reject God. They don’t submit to God but actively rebel against Him. And yet—even in rebellion—they know exactly who Jesus is. The demon said, “I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” That’s powerful. Even the forces of darkness recognize Jesus' true identity.
The Bible teaches us that demons were once among God’s highest angelic beings. But because of pride and rebellion, they fell under God’s judgment. As Isaiah says:
“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn!... You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens... I will make myself like the Most High.’” (Isaiah 14:12–14)
However, Satan and his demons can only operate within limits that God permits. They’re not equal to God, nor do they have His power. A good example is in the book of Job. When Satan wanted to test Job, he had to get permission from God (Job 1:6–12). God allowed it—not to destroy Job—but to teach him and reveal a deeper understanding of faith, suffering, and God's sovereignty.
Even though Satan tried to break Job through suffering and loss, Job never cursed God. In the midst of his pain, Job cried out with honest questions, asking why he was suffering. His friends wrongly assumed he must have sinned. But in the end, Job’s integrity stood firm. And Satan’s lies and cruelty were exposed as powerless in the face of truth. The devil never win but always is humiliated and ashamed.
Jesus Himself called Satan “a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him... he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
Satan is a defeated creature. He must submit to the authority of Jesus. That’s why the demon cried out in fear in the synagogue. He knew Jesus was the Holy One of God—and that his time was up.
Jesus simply spoke: “Be quiet! Come out of him.” And the demon left—screaming, convulsing, defeated.
What a powerful reminder. The Word of Jesus silences the enemy. The authority of Christ drives out darkness. Even if Satan is crafty, deceitful, and determined to destroy, he cannot stand before the truth of God’s Word. As Peter wrote:
“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” (1 Peter 5:8–9)
Those who were in the synagogue were amazed—not just at the miracle, but at the authority behind it. They said, “Even the demons obey Him!”
That man, tormented for who knows how long, was finally free. People had probably given up on him. But Jesus didn’t. With a word, Jesus restored his mind, his peace, and his dignity.
Demons may be invisible, but they are real. They deceive, destroy, and torment. But they are still created beings—and they must bow before the living Word of God. Their power is nothing compared to the authority of Christ.
Let’s return to Job one more time. When God finally revealed Himself to Job, not with answers but with His presence and power, Job responded with humility and awe:
“Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know... My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:3, 5–6)
And what did God do? He blessed Job even more than before. He restored him. Because God is full of mercy and grace—even when He allows trials for a season, they always come with purpose, and always under His control.
The devil and his demons will one day be judged and destroyed forever. But for now, know this: Jesus still speaks with authority. He still sets people free. And no matter how dark the battle feels, we have victory through Him.
Amen!
July 6, 2025
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Scripture quotes are from the NIV.
