Consider the following passages as well (Acts 13:24; Matthew 11:12; Luke

1:19 “And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets” 1:20 “And immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him”

The name Zebedee (ZEBB uh dee), means “gift of Jehovah”. Of these two brothers, James would be the first apostle to be killed (Acts 12:1-2), and John was apparently the last apostle to die. Nothing in the text suggests that these brothers were idle, discontent with their former lot, or ambitious for worldly fame or glory. In the eyes of the world such brothers were undistinguished in practically every regard, but God sees differently than man sees. These brothers were accustomed to hardship, they were well-seasoned men. They were humble men, capable to being taught, and their heads were not filled with pride. They were diligent, workingmen, not ashamed of honest toil or seeking the easy life. Mark adds that they also left hired servants (1:20), which is an indication that these men and their father were successful in the fishing business. Jesus had already said that the kingdom of God was “at hand”, so the situation is urgent! Therefore, there is a need to obey immediately.

1:20 “With the hired servants”:

“James and John were not leaving him entirely alone to run his fishing business” (Gaebelein p. 625).

Jesus In Capernaum 1:21 “And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach”

Again, note the urgency. Jesus comes to Capernaum and immediately seizes an opportunity to teach.

1:22 “And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching as one having authority, and not as the scribes”

“Jesus did not have to quote the authorities (Rabbi-so-and-so says such and such). His authority came straight from God” (Gaebelein p. 627). When the scribes

taught, they would appeal to Jewish traditions and the authority of past great Jewish rabbis. “A passage taken from later rabbinical writings starts thus: ‘Rabbi Zeira says, on the authority of Rabbi Jose bar Rabbi Chanina, and Rabbi BA or Rabbi Chija on the authority of Rabbi Jochanan” (McGarvey p. 167). Compare this with Jesus’ common expression, “I say to you” (Matthew 5:18,20,22,26,28,34).

1:23 “And just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out” 1:24 “saying, ‘What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’”

Demons clearly knew and believed that Jesus is the Son of God (James 2:19), and they fear His judgment and power. Jesus addressed demons as distinct persons and they spoke as such. Hence we cannot regard demon possession as a psychological disease. In addition, the New Testament clearly distinguishes between physical diseases, like epilepsy and demon possession (Matthew 4:24). One theory in some religious circles is that demons are the departed spirits of the wicked, but Luke 16:19ff clearly makes the point that the wicked are confined after they die and the same truth is found in 2 Peter 2:9. McGarvey notes, “The frequency of demoniacal possession in the time of Jesus is probably due to the fact that His advent formed a great crisis in the spiritual order of things” (Fourfold Gospel pp. 167-168). Since we find demon possession primarily around the time of Jesus and the apostles, it would appear that demon possession is something God allowed for the purpose of demonstrating Jesus’ power over the devil. In Zechariah 13:2, God says that He will remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land. Apparently, when the spiritual gifts ceased, which included the gift to cast out demons, demon possession also ceased.

1:24 “Have You come to destroy us?”:

“The demons recognize—far more clearly than the synagogue congregation—the role of judgment in the ministry of Jesus” (Gaebelein p. 627). The demons know that “hell” is real—and it is not their home, they don’t want to end up there! The word “destroy” does not mean to

annihilate, for the devil will be “tormented” day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10), and the angels that sinned are awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4). This evil spirit resented Jesus’ entrance into this world. Thus, people who resent God’s standards, God’s authority and God’s judgment upon sin are acting like this demon.

1:24 “I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”:

Demons are in rebellion, yet they are not so foolish as to deny God’s existence or that Jesus is the Son of God.

1:25 “And Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’”:

Jesus did not need any magical formula’s to cast out this evil spirit. In addition, Jesus had no interest in furthering this conversation further. The demon deserved no explanations or answers.

1:26 “And throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice, and came out of him”:

The demon put up a fight, he did not want to come out—but immediately lost. Observe that the demon cries out, the demon shrieks and is forced out against his will.

1:27 “And they were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him’”

This was something entirely new. Man had been helpless in the face of demon possession and now here was someone who could cast them out with authority. No slow gradual process—but immediate explusion. They had no previous experience with teaching or power like this. Jesus’ power to cast out demons proved that Jesus’ teaching on other subjects was just as true.

1:28 “And immediately the news about Him went out everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee”:

The news about Him just flew and people were talking about what He was teaching and doing.