Jesus has just spoken in the synagogue and healed a man with an "unclean spirit".
Mark 1:29-31, Sick mother-in-law
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
We don't know the severity of the fever but, like a typical mother, once she is feeling better, Simon's mother-in-law begins to serve the small crowd in her home!
33 The whole town gathered at the door,
34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
Simon Peter is surely the main source for the gospel of Mark. One of the early miracles of Jesus is to heal the mother of Peter's wife.
This event occurred right after Jesus has spoken in the synagogue. It would not be uncommon for the wife's mother to be living with the family and so when they get to the home of Peter and Andrew (brothers), Jesus learns about the woman's illness. His reaction is immediate -- he apparently walks to the bed, takes her hand and lifts her up.
This event occurred right after Jesus has spoken in the synagogue. It would not be uncommon for the wife's mother to be living with the family and so when they get to the home of Peter and Andrew (brothers), Jesus learns about the woman's illness. His reaction is immediate -- he apparently walks to the bed, takes her hand and lifts her up.
We don't know the severity of the fever but, like a typical mother, once she is feeling better, Simon's mother-in-law begins to serve the small crowd in her home!
Mark 1:32-34, The people respond
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.33 The whole town gathered at the door,
34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
The effect is immediate. After sunset (when it is cooler?) the crowds come. The "whole town" has heard and shows up as the door. And Jesus responds. Once again there are "evil spirits"; once again they are commanded not to identify Jesus!
William Barclay suggests that the reason for people bringing the sick after sunset is to avoid working on the Sabbath.
The "whole town" is natural hyperbole -- certainly LOTS of people arrived.
I wonder how we, in this age, would describe the driving out of "many demons".
Yes, we all need help -- both teaching and healing. And there are times to identify Jesus (we will see some later) and times to be quiet. Jesus particularly does not need the demons to announce him.
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