Epiphany Season · Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year B

Mark 1:21-28

Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit

January 31, 2027

Jesus Chases a Possessed Man from the Synagogue, James Tissot — **Jesus Chases a Possessed Man from the Synagogue**, James Tissot, 1886-1894Brooklyn Museum, New York · public domain

Roman Lectionary

GospelMark 1:21-28

First ReadingDeut. 18:15-20

Responsorial PsalmPs. 95:1-2, 6-7a, 7b-9 (8)

Second Reading1 Cor. 7:32-35

Overview & Insights

“What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” (Mark 1:27)

Jesus reacts to two types of people: (1) those who are willing to commit to him, like the first four disciples, and who are re-created by Jesus to “fish for people”; (2) those who remain outside him and thus will experience his authority to vanquish the powers of darkness.

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Commentary

Commentary on Mark 1:21-28 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary reading of Jesus uniquely authorized to declare the reign of God.

Mark 1:21-28 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed take on Mark's immediacy as Jesus teaches and casts out the unclean spirit.

Mark 1 (Enduring Word Bible Commentary) Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse evangelical commentary covering the synagogue exorcism at Capernaum.

The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Dr. Brant Pitre links the promised prophet like Moses to Jesus teaching with authority.

Mark 1:21-28 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries on the new teaching with authority and the exorcism.

Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B (Sunday Connection) Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Catholic family and catechetical reflection on Jesus teaching with authority.

Background & Word Study

Gospel of Mark Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Mark's structure and fast-paced narrative of Jesus.

Mark 1:21 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek interlinear for close word study of authority (exousia) and unclean spirit.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Mark 1 Catena

Patristic and medieval comment chained to each verse of Mark 1.

Sermons & Reflections

Test the Spirits Journey with Jesus

Essay on discerning true authority by the healing and wholeness it produces.

Mark 1:21-28 (Sacred Space) Sacred Space · Irish Jesuits

Irish Jesuit guided prayer through the Capernaum synagogue scene.

Podcast

SB583 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany (Sermon Brainwave) Working Preacher

Podcast conversation among Luther Seminary faculty on this Sunday's texts.

Art & Music

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B (Art in the Christian Tradition) Vanderbilt

Curated religious art keyed to this Sunday's readings for worship and reflection.

Study Hub

Mark 1:21-28 (Textweek) Textweek

Master index of commentaries, sermons, and study resources for this Gospel.

Questions preachers ask

What happens in the Capernaum synagogue?

Teaching with an authority unlike the scribes, Jesus casts out an unclean spirit with a word, and his fame spreads at once throughout Galilee.

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