Mark 1:34 kjv

And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 1:34 nkjv

Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

Mark 1:34 niv

and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Mark 1:34 esv

And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 1:34 nlt

So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

Mark 1 verses

Mark 1 34 Meaning

Mark 1:34 reveals Jesus' divine authority and boundless compassion through His healing of "many" afflicted with diverse illnesses and His expulsion of "many" demons. Crucially, He restrained the demons from speaking His identity, because they knew Him. This act demonstrates Jesus' comprehensive power over both physical suffering and spiritual evil, while simultaneously indicating His strategic control over the revelation of His messianic identity.

Mark 1 34 Context

Mark 1:34 follows a day of intense ministry for Jesus in Capernaum. Beginning with His authoritative teaching and deliverance of a man with an unclean spirit in the synagogue (Mk 1:21-28), followed immediately by the healing of Simon's mother-in-law in Peter's home (Mk 1:29-31). This particular verse describes the events that unfolded after sunset, signifying the end of the Sabbath day (as it was unlawful to perform healing work on the Sabbath in the Jewish understanding, though Jesus challenged this). As soon as the Sabbath was over, people from across the city gathered at the door of Peter's house, bringing all their sick and demon-possessed, demonstrating the profound spiritual and physical needs of the populace and their eager anticipation of Jesus' power.

Mark 1 34 Word analysis

• And (καὶ, kai): Connects this verse seamlessly to the preceding narrative, indicating a continuation of Jesus' actions on that significant evening in Capernaum.
• he healed (ἐθεράπευσεν, etherapeusen): From therapeuō, meaning to care for, serve, heal. The aorist tense implies completed action, signifying Jesus’ effective and immediate restoration of health.
• many (πολλοὺς, pollous): Denotes a large quantity. It underscores the widespread affliction and Jesus' extensive activity, demonstrating that His power was not limited to isolated cases.
• that were sick (κακῶς ἔχοντας, kakōs echontas): Literally "having badly." Describes their grievous state of illness, emphasizing the depth of their suffering and the impact of disease.
• of divers diseases (ποικίλαις νόσοις, poikilais nosois): Poikilai means varied, multifaceted. This highlights the comprehensive nature of Jesus' healing power, capable of overcoming all forms and types of sickness, from various causes.
• and cast out (ἐξέβαλεν, exebalen): From ekballō, meaning to throw out, drive out with force. This strong verb underscores Jesus' undeniable authority and forceful action over spiritual entities, demonstrating their utter subjugation to His power.
• many devils (δαιμόνια πολλὰ, daimonia polla): Daimonia refers to malevolent spiritual beings, fallen angels. Jesus' ability to cast out numerous such entities signifies His absolute sovereignty over the kingdom of darkness and its vast forces.
• and suffered not (καὶ οὐκ ἠφιεν, kai ouk ēphien): Literally "and he did not permit." From aphiēmi, meaning to let go, allow, send away. In the negative, it shows Jesus actively and intentionally preventing the demons from speaking, an exercise of His will and control.
• the devils to speak (λαλεῖν τὰ δαιμόνια, lalein ta daimonia): Jesus directly silences their vocalizations. This command over their very speech emphasizes His total authority, even over their testimony.
• because (ὅτι, hoti): Introduces the direct reason or explanation for Jesus' actions.
• they knew (ᾔδεισαν, ēdeisan): From oida, referring to a profound, intrinsic, and certain knowledge. The imperfect tense indicates an ongoing or continuous recognition. The demons possessed an immediate, supernatural awareness of Jesus' true identity.
• him (αὐτόν, auton): Jesus.

Words-group analysis:

• He healed many...and cast out many devils: This phrase concisely demonstrates the dual scope of Jesus' power. He brings restoration to the physical body and deliverance from spiritual bondage. Both are manifestations of the breaking in of God's Kingdom through Him. This dual authority aligns with the prophecy that the Messiah would bring deliverance (Isa 35:5-6).
• suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him: This forms the core of the "Messianic Secret," a prominent theme in Mark's Gospel. Jesus' reasons for silencing demons are multifaceted:
  • Avoiding Corrupted Testimony: Demonic confession, even truthful, is tainted. Jesus did not want His identity to be associated with or propagated by impure sources.
  • Controlling the Revelation: Jesus sought to define His Messiahship not by mere titles or sensational demonstrations, but through His actions, teaching, suffering, and ultimately, His death and resurrection. Premature, or misinterpreted, public acclamation would create political expectations that contradicted His true spiritual mission (cf. John 6:15).
  • Preventing Undermining His Authority: Allowing demons to broadcast His identity might imply that they had some claim over Him or a joint agenda, which they did not. Silencing them asserts His absolute control.

Mark 1 34 Bonus section

• The "Many" Factor: While Jesus could have healed "all," Mark states "many." This isn't a limitation of His power, but a reflection of those brought to Him at Peter's doorstep. It also hints at the reality that while Jesus offers healing and deliverance, it's experienced by those who come to Him or are brought by others in faith.
• Timing of Healing: The delay until "after sunset" signifies the Jewish observance of the Sabbath ending. The eagerness of the crowds to bring their sick and demon-possessed as soon as permitted underscores the desperate human need and the intense expectation surrounding Jesus.
• Authority Over Disorder: Jesus’ power over diseases and demons speaks to His divine authority over the disorder, suffering, and spiritual brokenness in creation. He brings order out of chaos, light into darkness, health into sickness, freedom into bondage.
• Knowledge vs. Faith: The demons knew Jesus' identity intellectually and spiritually, but this knowledge was devoid of saving faith; it produced fear and resistance. This starkly contrasts with the type of knowing (gnosis/epignosis) that leads to salvation and obedience among humans.

Mark 1 34 Commentary

Mark 1:34 offers a snapshot of Jesus' powerful ministry and foundational principles. It highlights His overflowing compassion, addressing both the physical pain ("divers diseases") and the spiritual oppression ("devils") prevalent in His day. The phrase "healed many...and cast out many devils" is a concise yet profound summary of His ongoing redemptive work. This was not a rare occurrence but a consistent demonstration of God's presence and power breaking into a fallen world.

The second part of the verse, "and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him," is critical. The demons, being spiritual beings, instantly recognized Jesus as the Son of God, the Holy One (cf. Mk 1:24). This acknowledgment was born not of faith, but of fear, a terrified recognition of their ultimate Conqueror. Jesus’ active silencing of these demons showcases His authority, extending even to controlling the speech of His spiritual adversaries. This also reinforces a major theological motif in Mark: the "Messianic Secret." Jesus did not desire His divine identity to be proclaimed prematurely or misinterpreted by popular, political expectations of the Messiah. He aimed for His true mission – that of a suffering Servant, leading to the cross and resurrection – to unfold in divine timing, revealing a salvation that went far beyond mere physical healing or political liberation. The very fact that evil spirits knew Him better than most humans highlights the spiritual battle and Jesus' ultimate supremacy in it.