They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.  They 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.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue is authoritative. This is a key theme throughout the narrative – that what Jesus possesses is more than just knowledge, giftedness, the dignity of a particular office, or even closeness to God. The scribes boasted of all these things, but Jesus quickly displays a higher, proper authority that astounds his listeners.

We’ll find that, with Jesus, teaching and healing tend to go together. This is the first example: he is addressed by a man with (or in, as in possessed by) an unclean spirit. The unclean spirit knows exactly who Jesus is, and seems to be expecting a fight. In the face of the spirit’s taunting, Jesus commands silence and expels it from the man. The spirit leaves violently, ripping itself out of the man.

Thus Jesus’ authority in teaching is complemented by a powerful sign. Throughout, Mark will emphasise that Jesus is authoritative such that his words actually effect things (the healing of the paralytic is a classic instance). This, as well as the confession of the unclean spirit – ‘Holy One of God’ – serves again to affirm his divinity.

There is a touch of pathos about the conclusion to this episode. Jesus’ fame spreads rapidly, but there is no suggestion of genuine faith on the part of the crowds. Rather, we are led to conclude that Jesus gains a degree of notoriety, and that his words and actions will eventually elicit a more sinister response.

Already, with evil dealt an early blow, we are led to understand the great cost that will accompany its eventual defeat.