23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit ; and he cried out, 24 saying , " What [1]business do we have with each other, Jesus [2]of Nazareth ? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are- the Holy One of God !" 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying , "Be quiet , and come out of him!" 26 Throwing him into convulsions , the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27 They were all amazed , so that they debated among themselves , saying , "What is this ? A new teaching with authority ! He commands even the unclean spirits , and they obey Him." 28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee .
29 And immediately after they came out of the synagogue , they came into the house of Simon and Andrew , with [3]James and John . 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever ; and immediately they spoke to [4]Jesus about her. 31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand , and the fever left her, and she [5]waited on them.
32 When evening came , after the sun had set , they began bringing to Him all who were ill e and those who were demon-possessed . 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door . 34 And He healed many who were ill e with various diseases , and cast out many demons ; and He was not permitting the demons to speak , because they knew who He was.
35 In the early morning , while it was still dark , Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place , and was praying there . 36 Simon and his companions e searched for Him; 37 they found Him, and said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." 38 He said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby , so that I may [6]preach there also ; for that is what I came for." 39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee , [7]preaching and casting out the demons .
40 And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying , "If You are willing , You can make me clean ." 41 Moved with compassion , Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing ; be cleansed ." 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed . 43 And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away , 44 and He said to him, " See that you say nothing to anyone ; but go , show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded , as a testimony to them." 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around , to such an extent that [8]Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city , but [9]stayed out in unpopulated areas ; and they were coming to Him from everywhere .
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.