23 And there was in their Synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he gave a cry, 24 Saying, What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? have you come to put an end to us? I see well who you are, the Holy One of God. 25 And Jesus said to him sharply, Be quiet, and come out of him. 26 And the unclean spirit, shaking him violently, and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all greatly surprised, so that they put questions to one another, saying, What is this? a new teaching! with authority he gives orders even to the unclean spirits, and they do what he says. 28 And news of him went out quickly everywhere into all parts of Galilee round about.
29 And when they came out of the Synagogue, they went into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's wife's mother was ill, with a burning heat; and they gave him word of her: 31 And he came and took her by the hand, lifting her up; and she became well, and took care of their needs.
32 And in the evening, at sundown, they took to him all who were diseased, and those who had evil spirits. 33 And all the town had come together at the door. 34 And a number, who were ill with different diseases, he made well, and sent out evil spirits; but he did not let the evil spirits say anything, because they had knowledge of him.
35 And in the morning, a long time before daylight, he got up and went out to a quiet place, and there he gave himself up to prayer. 36 And Simon and those who were with him came after him. 37 And when they came up with him, they said to him, Everyone is looking for you. 38 And he said to them, Let us go to other parts into the nearest towns, so that I may give teaching there, because for this purpose I came. 39 And he went into their Synagogues in every part of Galilee, preaching and driving out evil spirits.
40 And a leper came to him and, going down on his knees before him, made a request, saying, If it is your pleasure, you have the power to make me clean. 41 And being moved with pity, he put out his hand, and touching him said to him, It is my pleasure; be made clean. 42 And straight away the disease went from him, and he was made clean. 43 And he sent him away, saying to him very sharply, 44 See that you say nothing to any man: but go and let the priest see you, and make yourself clean by an offering of the things ordered by Moses, for a witness to them. 45 But he went out, and made it public, giving an account of it everywhere, so that Jesus was no longer able to go openly into a town, but was outside in the waste land; and they came to him from every part.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 1:23-45
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.
Commentary on Mark 1:40-45
(Read Mark 1:40-45)
We have here Christ's cleansing of a leper. It teaches us to apply to the Saviour with great humility, and with full submission to his will, saying, "Lord, if thou wilt," without any doubt of Christ's readiness to help the distressed. See also what to expect from Christ; that according to our faith it shall be to us. The poor leper said, If thou wilt. Christ readily wills favours to those who readily refer themselves to his will. Christ would have nothing done that looked like seeking praise of the people. But no reasons now exist why we should hesitate to spread the praises of Christ.