Simon's mother-in-law - Mark 1:30
The fact that Simon Peter had a
mother-in-law means that he was married. He left not only his fishing business, but also his family when he responded to Jesus' call to follow him. (But notice 1 Cor. 9:5 and Luke 8:1-3 which may indicate that Peter's wife traveled with him on some of his travels.)
Sick and demon-possessed - Mark 1:32-34
The people waited until the Sabbath was over at sunset. Then
they crowded around Peter's home seeking the healer who had power over the demons.
He healed many … and cast out many demons. Mark's choice of words indicates that not all sickness is caused by demon possession. The power of Jesus reversed the effects of sin in all of its forms. The many cases of demon possession in Galilee may have been the result of pagan religion that had long been practiced in those areas. Jesus did not allow these demons to speak. He did not want them identifying him, as the one had done in the synagogue. This is a theme that becomes more prominent in the next few chapters. The large crowd that
gathered was only the first such crowd. Jesus' ministry quickly attracted many followers for many different reasons.
Jesus' private prayer life - Mark 1:35
After a long night of healing Jesus rose up early and while alone, he
prayed. Jesus' private prayer life (6:46; 14:35-39) contrasted with the hypocritical public prayers of the scribes (12:38-40). The Greek word translated
solitary place here is the same word translated
wilderness in 1:4 and 13. Jesus sought out the fellowship of his heavenly Father in a place that was like the place of his baptism and temptation. The crowds tempted him to be a miracle working Messiah just like Satan already had done.
Searched- Mark 1:36
Mark used an intensive form of the verb that is translated
searched. It almost has the sense of
hunted down. There was an urgency to their actions.
Resisted temptation to please crowds - Mark 1:38
The disciples found Jesus and tried to get him to go back into town. Jesus refused. He resisted the temptation to please the crowds who seemed only to want healings and exorcisms. He wanted to move on to other towns where he could
preach the good news of God. (Compare 1:14.)
Leprosy - Mark 1:40-42
This story is an example of Jesus' ministry as he traveled through Galilee preaching and healing. In Jesus' day leprosy was the most dreaded of diseases. The
leper was ceremonially unclean (Lev. 13: 45-46). He was a social outcast. In most cases he was a living dead man. Jesus' heart was
moved with compassion by the man's condition and by his faith. See note at 7:34 regarding Jesus' emotional life. He
touched him. He touched the leper. Instead of that touch making Jesus unclean (Lev. 22:4-6), it made the leper whole again. The power of the kingdom of God in Jesus transcended the Old Testament rules of ritual uncleanness. Jesus had the power to heal even the worst of diseases.
Go to the priests - Mark 1:43-44
Mark used a very strong word
warned to report Jesus' seriousness and concern. He commanded the man not to tell anyone else how he was healed. Jesus was afraid that the crowds seeking healing would be overwhelming if they learned that he could heal even a leper. Jesus also demanded that the man obey the laws of purification by going to the priests (Lev. 14:1-32).
Command to keep healing a secret - Mark 1:45
Mark did not report whether the man ever went to the priests. But the man ignored Jesus' command to keep his healing a secret. He
began to spread the news about the power of Jesus. Jesus' fears became reality. It became more and more difficult for Jesus to carry out his ministry of preaching the gospel with the crowds pressing him for healing.
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