Mark 1:27 kjv

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Mark 1:27 nkjv

Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."

Mark 1:27 niv

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching?and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him."

Mark 1:27 esv

And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."

Mark 1:27 nlt

Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. "What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!"

Mark 1 verses

Mark 1 27 Meaning

The people present were utterly astonished, debating amongst themselves about the profound implications of what they had witnessed. Their astonishment stemmed from Jesus' demonstration of an unparalleled authority, evident not only in His teaching but also, and remarkably, in His ability to command even unclean spirits, who promptly obeyed Him. This marked Him as unique and powerful beyond anyone they had known.

Mark 1 27 Context

Mark 1:27 occurs early in Jesus' public ministry, specifically on a Sabbath day in Capernaum, Galilee. Jesus enters the synagogue and begins to teach. Immediately prior to this verse (Mk 1:22), the crowd is astonished by His teaching because He taught "as one having authority, and not as the scribes." While still in the synagogue, a man possessed by an unclean spirit cries out, recognizing Jesus as "the Holy One of God" (Mk 1:24). Jesus rebukes the spirit, commanding it to come out of the man. Verse 27 describes the crowd's reaction after witnessing this immediate and powerful exorcism, linking His teaching authority directly with His demonstrated power over malevolent spiritual entities. The historical and cultural context includes a Jewish society keenly aware of spiritual forces, both divine and demonic, and an expectation of the Messiah acting with great power, distinct from the religious authorities of the time who taught based on tradition and interpretation.

Mark 1 27 Word analysis

• And they were all amazed (καὶ ἐθαμβήθησαν πάντες - kai ethambēthēsan pantes)
  • ἐθαμβήθησαν (ethambēthēsan): Strong Greek verb, "to amaze, astonish, terrify." It denotes a reaction not merely of wonder, but of profound shock, awe, and perhaps a touch of fear. It signifies a complete emotional and intellectual jolt, an effect so profound as to strike awe, distinguishing it from simply "astonished" in Mk 1:22, suggesting a heightened level of reaction after witnessing supernatural power.
  • πάντες (pantes): "All." Emphasizes the universal and pervasive nature of the amazement among those present in the synagogue. No one was unmoved.
• insomuch that they questioned among themselves (ὥστε συζητεῖν πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς - hōste suzētein pros heautous)
  • ὥστε (hōste): "So that," "with the result that." Links the amazement to their subsequent action.
  • συζητεῖν (suzētein): "To dispute, debate, discuss together." It's more intense than simply asking questions; it implies a vigorous, almost urgent, attempt to understand or categorize what they saw, reflecting their perplexity and the inadequacy of their existing frameworks to explain Jesus. This indicates collective deliberation.
  • πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς (pros heautous): "Among themselves." Underscores that the discussion was internal to the group, a shared struggle to comprehend.
• What is this? (Τί ἐστιν τοῦτο; - Ti estin touto?)
  • Simple, yet profound question. It expresses deep bewilderment. It's not just "What did He do?" but "What kind of phenomenon is this?" They struggle to define the essence of what is happening before their eyes.
• what new doctrine is this with authority? (Τίς ἡ καινὴ διδαχὴ αὕτη ἡ κατ᾽ ἐξουσίαν; - Tis hē kainē didachē hautē hē kat' exousian?)
  • καινὴ (kainē): "New," specifically in quality, fresh, unprecedented. Not simply novel in time (neos), but qualitatively superior or different. This isn't just a new teaching point, but a fundamentally new kind of teaching, carrying a unique nature and power. It challenged established religious traditions.
  • διδαχὴ (didachē): "Teaching," doctrine. Links their bewilderment to Jesus' earlier instruction. They saw a seamless connection between His powerful teaching and His powerful action.
  • κατ᾽ ἐξουσίαν (kat' exousian): "According to authority," "with authority." This phrase is crucial. It points to an intrinsic power and right, a compelling prerogative inherent in Jesus Himself. It is not derived or borrowed like the authority of scribes who cited previous rabbis.
• for with authority he commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. (καὶ τοῖς πνεύμασιν τοῖς ἀκαθάρτοις ἐπιτάσσει, καὶ ὑπακούουσιν αὐτῷ - kai tois pneumasin tois akathartois epitassei, kai hypakouousin autō)
  • ἐπιτάσσει (epitassei): "He commands, orders, instructs." It's a verb implying direct, decisive command from a superior to an inferior, highlighting Jesus' unquestionable dominance.
  • πνεύμασιν τοῖς ἀκαθάρτοις (pneumasin tois akathartois): "The unclean spirits." "Unclean" signifies their morally defiled and impure nature, contrasted with divine purity. These are malevolent, powerful beings that held sway over people. That even these obey Jesus underlines His supreme power. In ancient Near Eastern thought, power over spirits/demons was a mark of divine authority or an especially empowered person.
  • ὑπακούουσιν (hypakouousin): "They obey, listen, submit." Emphasizes the immediate and complete submission of the unclean spirits. Their obedience is not a result of negotiation or struggle, but instantaneous compliance to His word.

Mark 1 27 Bonus section

• Immediate Revelation: This event serves as an immediate, visceral revelation of Jesus' unique identity and power right at the outset of His public ministry. Mark wastes no time in presenting Jesus as possessing inherent divine authority.
• Contrast with Scribes: The scribes taught by citing precedents and interpretations of past rabbis, operating on a borrowed or derived authority. Jesus teaches and acts from His own intrinsic, self-possessed authority (Gk. exousia), which commands both intellectual assent (Mk 1:22) and demonic submission.
• Cosmic Significance: Jesus' power over unclean spirits indicates a direct confrontation with the kingdom of darkness, asserting God's sovereignty. It is not merely a healing but a tangible sign of the Messiah bringing an in-breaking of God's rule that disarms evil.
• Simplicity of Command: Unlike contemporary exorcism practices which often involved lengthy incantations, rituals, and sometimes physical actions, Jesus simply spoke a command ("Hold thy peace, and come out of him!"), and the spirit obeyed. This stark simplicity further underscored His unparalleled authority.

Mark 1 27 Commentary

Mark 1:27 is a pivotal verse in Mark's Gospel, swiftly establishing Jesus' divine authority. The initial awe at His teaching (Mk 1:22) is powerfully amplified by His demonstration of power over spiritual forces. The crowd's reaction, marked by deep astonishment and collective questioning, highlights that what they witnessed transcended normal human experience or religious understanding. The key phrase "new doctrine... with authority" isn't merely about fresh interpretations, but a qualitative newness in the very nature of His teaching, validated by His inherent power. The ultimate proof lies in the fact that even the unclean spirits, entities of immense perceived power and malice, instantaneously and submissively obey His direct command. This immediate subjugation of evil points not to an exorcist skilled in ritual, but to one whose very being carries inherent divine authority, truly the Son of God. It underlines a core message of Mark: Jesus' power and dominion over all hostile forces.