21aThen they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the bsynagogue and taught.
22aAnd they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an aunclean spirit. And he cried out,
24 saying, “Let us alone! aWhat have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I bknow who You are—the cHoly One of God!”
25 But Jesus arebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
26 And when the unclean spirit ahad convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying,1 “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
28 And immediately His afame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed
29aNow as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.
The demon invaded the man's mind, overriding his conscious personality, which allowed the unclean spirit to speak through him (Mark 5:7). Knowing that God's Son would come in the flesh to save humanity, and that God is raising firstfruits for His Family among humanity, the demons resentfully lust for victory over people. Though God mercifully limits demon possession, He often allows demons to influence people heavily, as seen in the unclean spiritual condition of this society. Thus, Christians must beware of worldly relationships (II Corinthians 6:15-18).
Mark calls the usurping demon "unclean," indicating moral impurity. It is also a troublemaker, as seen in its contrary attitude. It is interesting that the demon violently recoils when faced with the authority of the spiritually clean Christ. Recognizing His holiness and unwilling to remain in Jesus' presence, it cries out in fear.
We see a similar uncleanness in those who trouble a congregation; they invariably live spiritually impure lives. They may talk about God's love and other virtuous things, but it often merely camouflages their evil intentions. These troublemakers are not peaceable, righteous people, but, like their spiritual father, Satan, they are of the lie (see John 8:44; II Thessalonians 2:9-12), and oppose those who truly serve Him.
