Mark 1:21-28
“Notice what you notice.” It has always struck me how Mark seems to move around so quickly and that his writing is so “to the point”. In Chapter 1 Jesus goes from His baptism to the wilderness to the calling of the four, all in twelve verses, then on to His first miracle, the healing of a demoniac. One of the commentaries I read said that Mark uses the word “immediately” 41 times in his Gospel, including nine times in the first chapter alone! That’s moving along…!
Mark records the healing of the demoniac in chapter 1 as Jesus’ first miracle (along with Luke in chapter 4). John’s first is the wedding at Cana in chapter 2, while Matthew does not record a miracle from Jesus until chapter 8. Again, Mark moving quickly…!
Mark mentions the crowd recognizing Jesus’ “teaching with authority” twice in this reading (verses 22 and 27). I can understand their v. 27 reaction, since Jesus had just cast out the unclean spirit. But how could the crowd see Him teaching with authority before that miracle? There must have been something in His speech, in His composure, in His confidence. It could be like the juxtaposition that Jesus uses in the Sermon on the Mount, “It has been said…” (the scribes?) compared to “But I say unto you…” (e.g., Mt. 5:31-35, 43-44). Yesterday at Nazareth he certainly spoke with authority, Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing (Luke 4:21). Certainly, Mark reports, …they were astonished at His teaching (v. 22). Not much more to say…
Blessings!
Fred