Epiphany Season · Year B
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
January 31, 2027
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
Mark 1:21-28 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary on why the Capernaum crowd is astonished at Jesus teaching with authority and his command over the unclean spirit.
Mark 1:21-28 Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed reading of Jesus' authority in the synagogue and how it reframes the Epiphany theme of manifestation.
What Is Salvation? SALT Project
Sets the exorcism inside Mark's world of distorting spiritual forces and asks what Jesus' liberating authority means now.
Mark 1:21-28 Enduring Word · David Guzik
An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
A Catholic reflection on Mark 1:21-28 and the astonishment at Jesus teaching with authority.
Unclean Spirits Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church
An Episcopal sermon treating the Mark 1:21-28 exorcism as essential to the Good News.
Background & Word Study
Separating a Man from His Cage Left Behind and Loving It
D. Mark Davis works the Greek word by word, drawing out the odd grammar of a man 'in an unclean spirit.'
The Startling Authority of Jesus in Mark 1 Psephizo · Ian Paul
A close study of Mark's structure and how the exorcism demonstrates an authority unlike the scribes.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
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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