Epiphany · Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany · 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

LSB Three-Year Lectionary

GospelMark 1:21-28

Epistle1 Cor. 8:1-13

Old TestamentDeut. 18:15-20

PsalterPs. 111

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) Working Preacher

Reads the Capernaum exorcism as Jesus uniquely authorized to declare the reign of God.

Mark 1 Commentary: The Beginning of the Gospel Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik walks the chapter verse by verse through Jesus' authority in word and deed.

Mark 1 Commentary Precept Austin

Cross-referenced compilation of expositors and word studies on the chapter.

Mark 1:21 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators on Jesus teaching in the synagogue with authority, not as the scribes.

Mark 1:21-28 (Center for Excellence in Preaching) Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on Jesus' authority over teaching and unclean spirits.

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

Catholic reflection and discussion questions on Jesus' teaching and healing authority.

Background & Word Study

Gospel of Mark Summary (Overview Video) BibleProject

Animated overview of Mark's fast-moving portrait of Jesus and the kingdom.

Mark 1:21 Interlinear Bible BibleHub

Greek text with parsing and Strong's numbers for word-level study, including the word for authority.

The Church Fathers

Mark 1 (Catena Bible and Commentaries) Catena

Patristic and early-church comment on the chapter collected verse by verse.

Sermons & Reflections

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

Guided Ignatian prayer through the Gospel text from the Irish Jesuits.

Worship & Prayers

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B (Lectionary Planning Notes) UMC Discipleship

Worship planning helps built around the day's Deuteronomy and Mark authority texts.

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary Art Index Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt Divinity Library's index of visual art and hymn suggestions keyed to the lectionary.

Study Hub

Mark 1:21-28 Study Resources Textweek

Aggregated commentaries, sermons, and arts links for this Gospel gathered in one hub.

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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