16 And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon, and Andrew, [Simon's] brother, casting out a net in the sea, for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you become fishers of men; 18 and straightway leaving their trawl-nets they followed him. 19 And going on thence a little, he saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, and these [were] in the ship repairing the trawl-nets; 20 and straightway he called them; and leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, they went away after him.
21 And they go into Capernaum. And straightway on the sabbath he entered into the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 And there was in their synagogue a man [possessed] by an unclean spirit, and he cried out 24 saying, Eh! what have we to do with thee, Jesus, Nazarene? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the holy one of God. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace and come out of him. 26 And the unclean spirit, having torn him, and uttered a cry with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And all were amazed, so that they questioned together among themselves, saying, What is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. 28 And his fame went out straightway into the whole region of Galilee around.
29 And straightway going out of the synagogue, they came with James and John into the house of Simon and Andrew. 30 And the mother-in-law of Simon lay in a fever. And straightway they speak to him about her. 31 And he went up to [her] and raised her up, having taken her by the hand, and straightway the fever left her, and she served them.
32 But evening being come, when the sun had gone down, they brought to him all that were suffering, and those possessed by demons; 33 and the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many suffering from various diseases; and he cast out many demons, and did not suffer the demons to speak because they knew him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 1:16-34
Commentary on Mark 1:14-22
(Read Mark 1:14-22)
Jesus began to preach in Galilee, after that John was put in prison. If some be laid aside, others shall be raised up, to carry on the same work. Observe the great truths Christ preached. By repentance we give glory to our Creator whom we have offended; by faith we give glory to our Redeemer who came to save us from our sins. Christ has joined these two together, and let no man think to put them asunder. Christ puts honour upon those who, though mean in this world, are diligent in their business and kind to one another. Industry and unity are good and pleasant, and the Lord Jesus commands a blessing on them. Those whom Christ calls, must leave all to follow him; and by his grace he makes them willing to do so. Not that we must needs go out of the world, but we must sit loose to the world; forsake every thing that is against our duty to Christ, and that cannot be kept without hurt to our souls. Jesus strictly kept the sabbath day, by applying himself unto, and abounding in the sabbath work, in order to which the sabbath rest was appointed. There is much in the doctrine of Christ that is astonishing; and the more we hear it, the more cause we see to admire it.
Commentary on Mark 1:23-28
(Read Mark 1:23-28)
The devil is an unclean spirit, because he has lost all the purity of his nature, because he acts in direct opposition to the Holy Spirit of God, and by his suggestions defiles the spirits of men. There are many in our assemblies who quietly attend under merely formal teachers; but if the Lord come with faithful ministers and holy doctrine, and by his convincing Spirit, they are ready to say, like this man, What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth! No disorder could enable a man to know Jesus to be the Holy One of God. He desires to have nothing to do with Jesus, for he despairs of being saved by him, and dreads being destroyed by him. See whose language those speak, that say to the Almighty, Depart from us. This unclean spirit hated and dreaded Christ, because he knew him to be a Holy One; for the carnal mind is enmity against God, especially against his holiness. When Christ by his grace delivers souls out of the hands of Satan, it is not without tumult in the soul; for that spiteful enemy will disquiet those whom he cannot destroy. This put all who saw it upon considering, What is this new doctrine? A work as great often is wrought now, yet men treat it with contempt and neglect. If this were not so, the conversion of a notorious wicked man to a sober, righteous, and godly life, by the preaching of a crucified Saviour, would cause many to ask, What doctrine is this?
Commentary on Mark 1:29-39
(Read Mark 1:29-39)
Wherever Christ comes, he comes to do good. He cures, that we may minister to him, and to others who are his, and for his sake. Those kept from public ordinances by sickness or other real hinderances, may expect the Saviour's gracious presence; he will soothe their sorrows, and abate their pains. Observe how numerous the patients were. When others speed well with Christ, it should quicken us in seeking after him. Christ departed into a solitary place. Though he was in no danger of distraction, or of temptation to vain-glory, yet he retired. Those who have the most business in public, and of the best kind, must yet sometimes be alone with God.