Mark 1:26 kjv
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
Mark 1:26 nkjv
And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
Mark 1:26 niv
The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
Mark 1:26 esv
And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.
Mark 1:26 nlt
At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.
Mark 1 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 1:21-22 | And they went into Capernaum... and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching... | Context of Jesus teaching with authority before the exorcism. |
| Mk 1:23 | Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. And he cried out... | The possessed man's presence and the spirit's immediate reaction to Jesus. |
| Mk 1:24 | ...“What do You have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” | The unclean spirit recognizing Jesus' divine identity. |
| Mk 1:25 | But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” | Jesus' direct command, showing His unique authority over spirits. |
| Mk 1:27 | And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves... “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” | The immediate impact on witnesses, affirming Jesus' authority over spirits. |
| Mk 3:11 | And whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” | Similar reactions of demons acknowledging Jesus and falling before Him. |
| Mk 5:8 | For He had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” | Jesus directly commanding an unclean spirit to come out in another exorcism. |
| Mk 9:26 | And after crying out and having many convulsions, it came out of him. And the boy became like a corpse... | Describes another violent expulsion of a spirit, similar forceful nature. |
| Matt 8:16 | When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him; and He cast out the spirits with a word... | Jesus' power to cast out many spirits with mere words. |
| Matt 17:18 | And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured from that moment. | Another instance of Jesus rebuking and casting out a demon directly. |
| Luke 4:33-35 | In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon... “I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him... "Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down... it came out of him without harming him. | Luke's parallel account, including the spirit throwing the man down. |
| Luke 4:36 | And amazement seized them all, and they began discussing with one another... "With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” | People's reaction in Luke, echoing Mark's emphasis on authority and power. |
| Acts 5:16 | ...those who were afflicted with unclean spirits were cured. | The apostles' ministry following Jesus, including casting out unclean spirits. |
| Acts 8:7 | For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them... | Demons crying out with a loud voice during Philip's ministry, paralleling Jesus'. |
| Acts 19:15-16 | ...“Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, master | A demonic spirit distinguishing legitimate authority (Jesus, Paul) from false, similar to recognition in Mark 1:24. |
| Deut 18:9-14 | ...you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices... There shall not be found among you anyone... who practices divination... or one who casts spells, or a medium... or a necromancer. For everyone who does these things is an abomination to the Lord... | OT prohibition of practices associated with evil spirits/occult, underlying the "unclean" nature of these spirits. |
| Zech 13:2 | "On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land... and I will remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land." | Prophetic expectation of the removal of false prophets and "unclean spirits" in the Messianic era. |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God... | Apostolic caution about discerning spirits, acknowledging their existence and the need for testing. |
| Jas 2:19 | You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! | Demons acknowledge God's oneness and tremble, echoing their fearful recognition of Jesus. |
| Rev 16:13 | And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. | Future manifestations of unclean spirits, reinforcing their evil nature throughout redemptive history. |
Mark 1 verses
Mark 1 26 Meaning
Mark 1:26 describes the forceful expulsion of an evil spirit from a man in the synagogue at Capernaum. The spirit cried out violently with a loud voice as it was compelled by Jesus' authority to exit the possessed man. This event powerfully demonstrates Jesus' supreme power over the spiritual forces of evil, immediately after He had taught with unparalleled authority.
Mark 1 26 Context
Mark 1:26 occurs immediately after Jesus begins His public ministry in Capernaum. After calling His first disciples, Jesus enters the synagogue on the Sabbath (Mk 1:21). He begins to teach, and the crowd is astounded because His teaching carries a unique "authority," unlike that of the scribes (Mk 1:22). This sets the stage for the direct encounter with the unclean spirit. The presence of the demon-possessed man in the synagogue provides an immediate, tangible demonstration of Jesus' authority not just in teaching, but in action, directly over the forces of evil. The verses surrounding Mark 1:26 (Mk 1:23-25, 27-28) detail the spirit's recognition of Jesus ("Holy One of God"), Jesus' command, and the crowd's awe. This initial exorcism serves as a powerful validation of Jesus' messianic identity and the authoritative nature of His ministry, marking the start of His victorious conflict with Satan's kingdom. Historically, people in the first century understood demon possession as a reality, often attributing physical or mental afflictions to it. Jesus' exorcisms, therefore, were seen not merely as healings, but as profound displays of divine power breaking into the human realm.
Mark 1 26 Word analysis
- And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction linking the immediate preceding event (Jesus' command in v.25) to the direct consequence. It emphasizes the direct and swift fulfillment of Jesus' word.
- the unclean spirit (τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἀκάθαρτον - to pneuma to akatharton):
- Pneuma (spirit): Refers to a non-physical entity, here specifically an evil, malevolent being.
- Akatharton (unclean, impure): This descriptor highlights the nature of the spirit as antithetical to God's holiness and purity. It denotes moral and spiritual defilement, aligning these beings with opposition to divine order and goodness, contrasting them with the purity required for worship in Jewish tradition.
- crying out (κράξαν - kraxan): An aorist participle from krazō. It describes a loud, shrill, urgent, or desperate cry. This is not a polite departure but a forced, agonizing, and perhaps angry scream of compelled obedience and defeat. It implies the spirit's violent resistance, which is ultimately overcome.
- with a loud voice (φωνῇ μεγάλῃ - phonē megalē): This phrase amplifies krazan, emphasizing the extreme volume and intensity of the spirit's cry. It was a public and unmistakable outburst, underscoring the severity of the exorcism and the undeniable power of Jesus to those present. The "voice" confirms audibility, showing it was not silent or secret.
- came out (ἐξῆλθεν - exēlthen): An aorist indicative verb from exerchomai, meaning "to come out" or "to go out." It signifies a completed, decisive action. The perfect tense indicates that the action was finished and irreversible. This verb is commonly used to describe the departure of demons from those they possess, emphasizing the direct action of expulsion.
- of him (ἐξ αὐτοῦ - ex autou): Direct and unambiguous, indicating the clear departure from the previously possessed individual.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- And the unclean spirit: Immediately identifies the protagonist of this part of the verse and sets the tone for a direct confrontation between Jesus' holiness and demonic impurity.
- crying out with a loud voice: Describes the spirit's involuntary, violent, and public reaction to Jesus' command. It demonstrates the profound distress and fear the spirit experienced, signifying its defeat. The sound was impactful, likely contributing to the crowd's awe (v.27). This public outcry also functions as an unwilling testimony to Jesus' power.
- came out of him: This short phrase denotes the complete, successful, and immediate outcome of the exorcism. It emphasizes Jesus' complete victory and the man's full liberation from the demonic influence. There is no ambiguity; the spirit is gone, directly responding to Jesus' authority.
Mark 1 26 Bonus section
- The public and violent nature of the expulsion served a vital function in authenticating Jesus' identity and mission. It left no doubt in the minds of witnesses about the source and nature of His power.
- The scene vividly illustrates the difference between divine authority (Jesus' calm command) and demonic subservience (the spirit's violent, fearful, yet obedient departure).
- The use of "unclean spirit" is Mark's preferred term for demons (used 11 times), often linking them to ritual impurity which defiles and separates from God. Jesus, the "Holy One of God" (Mk 1:24), is presented as the antidote to all forms of spiritual uncleanness.
- This first public exorcism immediately validates Jesus' claim of the nearness of the kingdom of God (Mk 1:15), demonstrating God's victory over the powers of darkness that oppose His reign.
Mark 1 26 Commentary
Mark 1:26 powerfully encapsulates Jesus' authority as the Messiah, establishing His public ministry with an act of undeniable power. The "unclean spirit" (Mk 1:23) represents not merely sickness but a direct force of spiritual opposition, inherently antithetical to God's holy presence. Its loud, agonizing cry and forceful expulsion signify the spiritual realm's involuntary submission to Jesus' command. This public exorcism was crucial; it authenticated Jesus' teaching authority (Mk 1:22) with practical demonstration. Unlike the Jewish exorcists of the day who relied on rituals or invoking higher names, Jesus commanded directly, implying His inherent, unparalleled power. The violent departure underscores the cosmic struggle: Jesus is not just a prophet or a teacher; He is the sovereign Lord who directly invades and dismantles the kingdom of darkness. This incident sets a precedent for Mark's narrative, showing that Jesus’ ministry involves a confrontation with and triumph over evil, leading to the restoration of God’s rule.