Mark 1:21-28 NRSVue
21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 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 rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
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Reflection on Mark 1:21-28
Inspiration from 2026-01-13 Daily Prayer
We’re still observing Jesus in the early stages of his ministry. Here, the best and worst best and worst instincts of the man beset by the demon seem to be fighting within him, trying to see which will gain the upper hand. How often is it like that with me? I pray that you might encourage the better instincts within me to come to the surface and influence my behaviour rather than the baser drives, which are unlikely to provide much good, either to myself or others.
Further reflection
The man with the unclean spirit was in the midst of the people. When life is tidied to remove such people, Jesus may be also put out of sight.
The authority of Jesus' teaching was distinctive: his is the authority on which I need to rely.
When the Jewish scribes spoke in the synagogue, they would begin: /There is a teaching that..../ and would go on to quote old traditions. When Jesus spoke, it was from his personal authority, as one who knows God. The impact was immediate and powerful.
Thank you, Lord, for opening the door into the knowledge of God. May I enter and keep learning.
From the beginning of his ministry Jesus is on a collision course with evil. People believed that evil was closer to them then, and thought the screaming of people who were ill were the screams of devils. We have a different approach and language now; but the presence of evil is still strong. It can take over in any ways where greed, violence, take hold of someone. Is not the abuse of children, the violence in a home, any exploitation if the innocent the effect of something bigger than just the weakness or sin of the individual? Evil knew Jesus came to destroy it. Where in my life or in my immediate circle can I pray that good will overcome evil?