The most impressive word from these verses to me is ‘authority’. Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to leave and it happened, leaving eye witnesses astonished. Jesus commanding use of words and His presence was not like other teachers. I wonder how modern Americans would react if we were in the audience. More than that, I think we minimize the importance of this interaction between the forces that we do not see, between evil and Jesus’ Kingdom. I am certainly guilty of dismissing this story of having any personal application. But how much authority do I allow His presence tonhavs in my life?
“It astonished them and they saw it; They were all amazed. It was evident, beyond contradiction, that the man was possessed—witness the tearing of him, and the loud voice with which the spirit cried; it was evident the spirit was forced out by Christ ‘s authority; this was surprising to them, asking "What is this new doctrine? For it must certainly be of God, which is thus confirmed. He has an authority to command unclean spirits, and they cannot resist him, but are forced to obey him." The Jewish exorcists pretended by charm or invocation to drive away evil spirits; but this was quite another thing, with authority he commanded them.” - Excerpt, The Gospel of Mark Commentary Verse by Verse by Matthew Henry
“The people were astounded (Mark 1:22) and amazed (Mark 1:27). Their reaction was to how Jesus taught—“as one having authority” (Mark 1:22)—and to what he taught—“a new teaching” (Mark 1:27).
“As one having authority” was in contrast to what the people were accustomed to hearing in the synagogue. The common teaching style of the rabbis was to quote the opinions of older, renowned rabbis from the past. By drawing on wisdom from the past, the rabbi seldom offered any original or fresh thinking about the text of the day. Rather than quoting another as the knowledgeable authority, Jesus taught as one who knew spiritual truth and had spiritual understanding.” - Excerpt, Following Jesus: Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark by Steve Langford
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