The Gospel of Mark 1:29-34

Eric Salgado

12/12/2023

29 And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her.31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she began waiting on them.32 Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed.33 And the whole city had gathered at the door.34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

The authority of the kingdom of Jesus

As they leave the synagogue let's imagine for a moment what these four fishermen were exposed to what their eyes saw and witnessed after being called to follow the Lord. 

After having left their nets in their boats. They witnessed the authoritative teaching of the Lord and the difference of his teaching with other rabbis, the authority of the son of God. They were astonished as were all the people present in the synagogue. 

They witnessed the opposition of Satan and his unclean spirit controlling a man. An evil spirit and mortal men were in the presence of the son of God

As a summary of these first verses we see that they came to the house of Simon and Andrew. In that house Simon's mother-in-law was in bed sick with fever and they let the master know about this. After that Christ heals her through a physical touch and as a result, the fever goes away and she begins to serve immediately.

V29) so then they came to the house of Simon and Andrew. Did Andrew and Simon live together with their families? In that culture it was common for close and extended families to live together under the same roof. Probably their home was not far away from the synagogue in Capernaum.

30) Peter had a mother-in-law which shows that he was married and no further details are mentioned about his wife or their children. Paul speaks with respect to the rights of an apostle and the right to marriage (1 Corinthians 9:5) he says, do we not have the right to bring with us a sister as a wife as well as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Timothy also refers us to false teachers with erroneous teachings (1 Timothy 4:1-4) he warns us of deceiving spirits, doctrines of demons, hypocritical liars with hardened consciences, insensitive to the voice of God, they will prohibit marriage and abstain from foods that God created. 

Everything God created is good and nothing is to be thrown away. Peter's mother-in-law was lying sick, probably very weak and seriously ill.

V31) they spoke about her to the Lord, and in response to the request made. 

The Lord meets the need of his illness with mercy and compassion. He first approaches her, then he takes her hand, then lifts her up. The fever was completely removed. there was no trace of weakness left in her body. a supernatural act.

Previously Christ expelled a demon with an order exposing his authority, now he does it through a touch and heals her out of compassion. 

This was an immediate and complete healing and it says that she begins to serve as if nothing had happened. She begins to serve in response to the compassion extended by the Lord. She probably began to prepare the table for a meal or some other service. There is no greater role than being a servant of the lord. She stated this. The word says that the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). What has been your response to him because of his compassion and mercy toward you o sinner ?

V32) let us note that these previous events happened during the Shabbat day. Now night has come, that day has ended and many people begin to bring their people to Jesus. Now they can bring their sick. Let us remember that during this specific day rabbinic law prohibited carrying any load. Now they are free and can do this without any violation. All these people waited until the sun set and let the night come to do this. We also observe a distinction between two types of people brought in first some sick from diseases and others possessed. totally controlled by demons

V33) It is said that the people gathered at the door. These people heard what happened in the synagogue and in Peter's mother-in-law's house which brought them a type of hope and they went to look for Jesus at Peter and Andrews house. A growing crowd from the city gathered at the door and were present there. ¿can you imagine that?

V34) and finally in response to the expectations of the people Jesus healed many of various illnesses. many sick people were present. he did this in a pervasive public way and not in an irregular or secluded way. He publicly inaugurates the beginning of the ministry of the kingdom of God, restoration and renewal. Once again Jesus meets demon possessed people. these demons recognize him. they knew who he was. the Holy of God . They knew him very well. Previously he put a muzzle in the mouth of the unclean spirit, here it tells us that he silences them from speaking because they knew his identity. He silence the demons because he have all the authority over them and over the kingdom of Satan. He speaks and they obey him.

Christ came to do more than Healing and deliver the possessed. He came to proclaim repentance and salvation. These people came simply because there was a miracle worker in their midst and not truly because they recognized His divinity and His role. They only came to Him to be relieved from pain and affliction. In truth they did not perceive Jesus' great conflict with demonic powers either. And above all this in His compassion for them the Lord extends his hand and gives them authentic healing and in his mercy he comforts and heals the people not to be acclaimed by the crowd but for his deep love and compassion as a true and authentic shepherd for his sheep who is never motivated by self-interest but by sacrificial love. In the following verses and chapters we will see the primary purpose for which he came.