Jesus Healed Many Who Were Sick (Mark 1:29–34)

 Jesus Healed Many Who Were Sick (Mark 1:29–34)

In Mark 1:21–28, Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, and the people were amazed at His authority and power. That’s because He, as the Son of God, was revealing the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. His authority in speaking came from the Father, who gave it to Him because of His obedience—even to death on a cross. As foretold long ago by the Law and the Prophets, Jesus came as the Messiah, fully submitting to the Father’s will, even unto death. He carried the sins of this world, though He had no sin of His own, and suffered greatly, shedding His blood on the cross.

Jesus' authority in His words is rooted in His love for this world—shown by His willingness to die on the cross. It is through His blood that the sickness of sin is healed, and we are able to come boldly to the throne of grace.

He also cast out demons that entered and tormented people with lies, threats, and violence. Demons are created beings who rebelled against God and now live under a curse, refusing to obey. Their days are numbered, and they will be judged and thrown into eternal fire. But until that day, they prowl around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Still, we are told not to fear them but to resist—because they cannot help but submit to the authority of Jesus’ word.

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

In Mark 1:29–34, Jesus healed many who were sick and drove out many demons. He wouldn’t let the demons speak because they knew who He was.

Jesus Reveals the Secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. (Mark 1:29–31)

Jesus taught the secrets of the kingdom in the synagogue, cast out unclean spirits, and made the man whole. These secrets are about the path to salvation. Why do we need salvation? Because this world is under sin. That’s why the forgiveness of sins is the most urgent need. Sin separates us from union with God. Human beings cannot live apart from Him. Salvation is essential. We must return to God, our Creator. And that path of return is the secret of the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus came to save the world from sin. To do that, He first taught the gospel of the kingdom. His teachings fulfilled what the Law and Prophets had foretold. For example, He went into the synagogue, opened the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, and declared that the Scripture was fulfilled in their hearing:

18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18–21)

He also freed people from the cruel and oppressive bondage of demons. As the Son of God, Jesus rules over all things with divine power and authority. His authority comes through His word. He created all things by God’s word and drove out demons with that same word.

Jesus Heals People’s Diseases Through His Blood

Jesus healed all kinds of diseases. Illnesses may come from viruses, bacteria, and a wide range of other causes—from the common cold to cancer. They bring physical pain, emotional anxiety, discouragement, and fear. Imagine a teeth pain moment! The human body is exposed to disease throughout life and gradually ages according to the second law of thermodynamics.

But the cause of physical suffering can sometimes come from the heart. Stress and pressure from work and life can even lead to cancer. That’s why we often speak of “sickness of the heart.” Human relationships can feel like ticking time bombs. Even if conditions seem perfect, no one is completely free from stress and pressure.

Yet, even in physical sickness, we can find rest and peace. Even in the midst of stress, we can be free from worry and anxiety. That is the secret of the kingdom of heaven: coming to Jesus Christ and following the way of the cross that He bore. Then our heavenly Father gives us true rest and peace. There is no disease in any form Jesus cannot heal.

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28–30)

So, Jesus healed to bring about the forgiveness of sins and to confirm that He is truly the Son of God, just as He promised. He gives grace and salvation to those who come to Him and believe. This is God’s promise. Sickness, pain, and hardship often serve as the road that turns us back to our Creator. There’s a saying: “He gives the sickness and the cure.” In the same way, God in His mercy leads us into grace through suffering and pressure.

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." (John 6:44)

Even when healing doesn’t happen right away, those who come to Jesus in faith and prayer receive abundant grace from heaven. Just look at Job. Or think of Abraham, Moses, and David. They all endured suffering, yet through faith and obedience, they received their reward from heaven. If someone claims that a believer in Christ will never face hardship, illness, or suffering, that is completely false.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

Jesus Heals Simon’s Mother-in-law from a Fever

Jesus left the synagogue and went with His disciples to the home of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and when Jesus came into the house, someone told Him about her. So He went to her, took her hand, and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them (Mark 1:29–31).

In Jesus Christ, healing and restoration are complete—nothing is lacking.

According to the Talmud, when people in that region were suffering from a fever, they tried to cure it in this way:

They would tie a knife made entirely of iron to a thorn bush using a braid of hair. Then on consecutive days, they would recite Exodus 3:2–3, then 3:4, and finally 3:5. After that, they would say a magical formula, believing that healing would take place.

But Jesus, as the Creator God, didn’t follow any of those procedures. He simply took her by the hand and helped her up. His healing power was a sign that He truly is the Son of God, sent to this world as our Savior.

Jesus did not come just to heal physical fevers. Doctors can take care of that. He came to shed His blood and die—because through His blood, the souls that were dead in sin can be made alive and receive salvation.

Fevers may return, but there is no greater grace than the healing that brings forgiveness of sins. That is the way to overcome the world. It’s the true path to salvation from all the dangers, diseases, pains, and wounds in this life.

Jesus Heals Many in Compassion and Mercy

“That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but He would not let the demons speak because they knew who He was” (Mark 1:32–34).

As Jesus drove out demons and healed the sick, the news spread quickly throughout the whole town. People brought all the sick and demon-possessed to Him, and the entire town gathered at the door of Simon’s house.

This shows that even in the first century, just like today, there were many suffering from sickness and demon possession. Jesus healed many with all kinds of diseases and drove out many demons to lead people to believe that He is the Messiah sent by God.

There are two key reasons Jesus healed so many people:

First, because God is full of compassion and mercy. While we were still sinners—while we were enemies of God—He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as the sacrificial Passover Lamb. Even though we have no merit, and our hearts and actions are constantly evil from childhood, God remembered His covenant with Adam and gave His one and only Son to be sacrificed on the cross.

This God of great mercy opens the gates of heaven and gives eternal life to those who believe in the blood of His Son.

Second, because God knows how weak we are. In our natural state, people neither glorify God nor give Him thanks (Romans 1:21). God is the God of both salvation and judgment. Though He has every right to judge those who fall into evil, He holds off His judgment, giving people time to repent. The flood in Noah’s day, the city of Nineveh, and Sodom and Gomorrah are powerful examples.

The time to repent and return to God is during our lifetime.

God doesn’t want anyone to perish but desires that everyone would come to repentance:

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Jesus Forbids Demons from Speaking About Him

Jesus did not allow the demons to speak because they knew who He was—the Son of God. As Mark 1:24 says, even the demons recognize Jesus as “the Holy One of God.” But demons, though they know, do not submit. They rebel and oppose Him.

Even if someone says with their mouth that Jesus is the Christ, if they do not obey Him, it leads to destruction.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

The proof that someone truly believes Jesus is the Son of God is seen in their fruit—their obedience.

Abraham trusted God’s promise and obeyed to the point of offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Rahab, the prostitute in Jericho, believed in the Lord of heaven and earth and hid the Israelite spies, helping them escape safely.

James said faith without action—faith that does not obey—is dead:

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14–17).

We cannot help but give thanks and praise to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—for His authority, power, glory, honor, and majesty—who healed the sick and cast out demons so that we could receive forgiveness of sins.

Amen! Amen!

July 13, 2025
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Scripture quotes are from the NIV.