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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people's astonishment wasn't just at Jesus' power, but at the nature of his authority. Unlike Jewish exorcists who invoked God or other powers, Jesus commanded the spirits directly, in his own name, revealing a divine authority unlike anything they had ever witnessed. This wasn't just a new teaching; it was a new way of encountering spiritual power, leaving them stunned and questioning.
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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, Jesus had been teaching in the synagogue with an authority unlike the scribes, astounding the crowd. Suddenly, a man with an unclean spirit cried out, only to be powerfully rebuked and silenced by Jesus. This miracle, occurring immediately after Jesus' teaching, left the onlookers deeply shaken and questioning who this man truly was.
Imagine hearing Jesus speak, and suddenly the most terrifying forces fall silent. The people in the synagogue weren't just surprised; they were witnessing something unprecedented.
The crowd's reaction – "What is this? A new teaching with authority!" – highlights the radical difference between Jesus' power and anything they'd ever seen.
Not Like the Scribes
For centuries, Jewish teachers (the Scribes) interpreted and taught the Law. Their authority came from tradition and careful study. But Jesus' teaching wasn't like that. The scholars noted His teaching was "as one invested with authority, and not as the Scribes." His words carried an inherent weight, a divine stamp that commanded attention.
Commanding the Unseen
This authority wasn't just in His sermons. When Jesus encountered a man possessed by an unclean spirit, He didn't plead or perform a ritual. He commanded. The unclean spirit, a force of chaos and evil, recognized and obeyed Jesus' word. This wasn't merely casting out a demon; it was demonstrating a power that transcended the natural world and even the spiritual forces of darkness.
The people stammered, 'What is this? A new teaching!' It wasn't just the content, but the way Jesus operated that left them stunned.
The word 'new' here isn't just about being recent; it signifies something entirely unprecedented, a radical departure from the known order.
Power Rooted in Being
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Unlike human exorcists who might have invoked other names or relied on rituals, Jesus acted solely on His own inherent authority. As one commentary puts it, 'Christ commanded them out; he neither did it by any kind of entreaty from any compact with the devil, nor yet by any invocation of God, but by an authoritative command.' This reveals a depth to Jesus' identity that the onlookers were struggling to comprehend.
A Glimpse of the Kingdom
This display of power was a tangible manifestation of God's kingdom breaking into the world. The fact that demons, forces of opposition to God, immediately obeyed Jesus demonstrated that His authority was supreme. It was a sign that the established order of evil was being challenged by a divine power that was both unexpected and overwhelming.
Understand the original words
exousia · Greek Noun
The power, right, or jurisdiction to command and ensure obedience. In the New Testament, it specifically highlights Jesus’ unique status as the Son of God, whose words carry divine efficacy over the physical and spiritual realms.
The astonishment of the crowd wasn't just at the miracle itself, but at the radical 'new teaching' of authority Jesus demonstrated. Unlike the Scribes who merely interpreted law, Jesus commanded spiritual forces directly, revealing a unique, divine power that shook their understanding of religious authority.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus begins public ministry in Galilee
Jesus starts teaching and healing in Galilee, gathering disciples and attracting crowds. This period marks the beginning of his public demonstration of authority and divine power.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus teaches in the synagogue at Capernaum
Jesus enters the synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbath and begins to teach. His message is unlike that of the scribes, carrying an immediate sense of divine authority that captivates the listeners.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus expels an unclean spirit
During the synagogue service, a man possessed by an unclean spirit cries out against Jesus. Jesus rebukes the spirit, commanding it to come out of the man, which it does with a great commotion.
c. AD 27-30
Crowd reaction and astonishment
The people present witness the dramatic expulsion of the demon and are overwhelmed with amazement. They question among themselves, marveling at Jesus' unique teaching and authoritative command over evil spirits.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' fame spreads rapidly
News of Jesus' powerful teaching and miraculous deliverance spreads quickly throughout Galilee, establishing his reputation as a teacher and healer of unparalleled authority.
This passage highlights the astonishment of the crowds at Jesus' teaching, emphasizing its difference from the scribes, much like the people in Mark 1:27 were struck by Jesus' authoritative
Luke 4:32Luke also records the people's astonishment at Jesus' teaching, noting that it was spoken with authority, mirroring the reaction to His power over unclean spirits in Mark 1:27.
Acts 19:15-16This passage shows a contrasting instance where 'vagabond Jews' attempted to use Jesus' name to cast out demons but failed, underscoring the unique, inherent authority Jesus possessed, as observed in Mark 1:27.
Hebrews 1:14This verse speaks of angels as ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation, providing a theological backdrop to the spiritual authority Jesus displayed in commanding even demonic spirits.
vincentMark 1:27: "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."
They questioned among themselves (συνζητεῖν πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς)Stronger than Luke, who has they spake together. Tynd., They demanded one of another among themselves.
calvinMark 1:21-28: "And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught."
- And they entered into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbaths, entering into the synagogue, he taught. 22. And they were astonished at his doctrine; for he was teaching them, as one invested with authority, and not as the Scribes. 23. And there was in their synagogue a man liable to an unclean spirit, who cried out, 24. Saying, Ah! what have I to do with thee, Jesus…
The people's astonishment wasn't just at Jesus' power, but at the nature of his authority. Unlike Jewish exorcists who invoked God or other powers, Jesus commanded the spirits directly, in his own name, revealing a divine authority unlike anything they had ever witnessed. This wasn't just a new teaching; it was a new way of encountering spiritual power, leaving them stunned and questioning.
Just before this, Jesus had been teaching in the synagogue with an authority unlike the scribes, astounding the crowd. Suddenly, a man with an unclean spirit cried out, only to be powerfully rebuked and silenced by Jesus. This miracle, occurring immediately after Jesus' teaching, left the onlookers deeply shaken and questioning who this man truly was.
Just before this, Jesus had been teaching in the synagogue with an authority unlike the scribes, astounding the crowd. Suddenly, a man with an unclean spirit cried out, only to be powerfully rebuked and silenced by Jesus. This miracle, occurring immediately after Jesus' teaching, left the onlookers deeply shaken and questioning who this man truly was.
"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.”" — The people's astonishment wasn't just at Jesus' power, but at the nature of his authority. Unlike Jewish exorcists who invoked God or other powers, Jesus commanded the spirits directly, in his own…
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Last reviewed October 2026