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Mark 1:21-28
With thanks to page sponsor:
Pastor Jason Ferris
Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church
Philadelphia, PA

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary (Matthew Henry, Wesley's Notes, Geneva Notes, etc) & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • Comparative primary texts about Spirit Possession and Exorcism and Purity and Social Relations, from Philo, Josephus, Lucian, Pseudepigrapha, Babylonian Talmud, Midrash, Philostratus. Comparative primary texts about Sacred Days and Seasons (inc Sabbath regulations) from the Hebrew Bible, Mishnah, Dead Sea Scrolls, Babylonian Talmud, etc. At Mahlon H. Smith's (Rutgers University) Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus.
  • "In Capernaum's Synagogue," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • IV.VI.6, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter XXVI, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • X.1, X.9, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, John Calvin, 1558: Mark 1:21-28/Luke 4:31-36.
  • From the Catena Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "Literally, "a man in an unclean spirit", that is to say, possessed with an evil spirit."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "The devil is an unclean spirit, because he has lost all the purity of his nature, because he acts in direct opposition to the Holy Spirit of God, and by his suggestions defiles the spirits of men."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "Christ would neither suffer those evil spirits to speak in opposition, nor yet in favour of him. He needed not their testimony, nor would encourage it, lest any should infer that he acted in concert with them."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "The frequency with which this character of "impurity" is ascribed to evil spirits--some twenty times in the Gospels--is not to be overlooked."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "The New Testament plainly teaches that demoniac possession was a real and actual possession of the soul by a fallen spirit."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • "The Law of Love," Frederick Buechner, Buechner Blog.
    • "The law against working on the Sabbath is an example found in the Gospels. If it is a question of whether or not you should perform the work of healing people on the Sabbath, Jesus' answer is clear. Of course you should heal them is his answer."
  • Commentary, Mark 1:21-28, Paul S. Berge, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
    • "Our initial approach to this text is from a first person response to what took place on Sabbot at the synagogue in Capernaum, a city on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee."
  • "Possessed," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2012.
    • "Tell me the truth: don't you just dread exorcism stories?"
  • "The Need for Authentic Leadership," Rev. Angela Zimmann, ON Scripture, 2012.
    • "We want to hear the most accurate information. We seek clarity, but where can we find it in our country today?"
  • "Dealing with Evil," Caspar Green, Scarlet Letter Bible, 2012.
    • "For all the talk about harmony that churches use to cover up and get along with that kind of evil, Jesus won't tolerate it. The evil has got to go."
  • "A Dark and Deserted Place," Rick Morley, 2012.
    • "I wonder if Jesus had been the rector/ senior pastor if he could have gotten away with this?
  • "Why Demons Sleep through Sermons," Peter Woods, I Am Listening, 2012.
    • "Hearing truth makes us all angry at some point."
  • "Who's the Boss?" John van de Laar, Sacredise, 2012.
  • The Politics of Mark 1:21-28, David Ensign, Political Theology, 2012.
  • "Demons, Possessions, and Unclean Stuff," D. Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2012.
  • "Power over Unclean Spirits?" Carol Howard Merritt, The Hardest Question, 2012.
    • "What does this gospel message have to say to say to us today? "
  • Healing A Demoniac, Harold H. Lentz, SermonSuite.
    • "There is much to be pondered in the truth that Jesus possesses power over all negative things."
  • "Real Authority," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, Patheos, 2012.
    • "When that which is sinful and unclean in our lives recognizes that Jesus is coming too close for comfort, we resist."
  • Preaching Mark 1:21-28, Jill Crainshaw, Lectionary Homiletics sample.
    • "In Mark’s Gospel heavens are ripped open. Boundaries crumble. Jesus’ healing words and actions shatter and then recreate what people then and now understand about life and faith."
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Mark 1:21-28, David Ewart, 2012.
    • "Jesus may have the authority to silence unclean spirits, but as we all learn to our own peril, no one can silence gossip, not even Jesus. And so his fame begins to spread through those who were there telling others what Jesus has done."
  • Cleansing of a Man with an Unclean Spirit, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2012.
  • Comentario del Evangelio por Ruth-Aimée Belonni-Rosario, San Marcos 1:21-28, Working Preacher, 2012.
  • "First Thoughts on Passages from Mark in the Lectionary," Epiphany 4, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "The kingdom of God in Mark is good news because it brings liberation at a number of levels. The central thing is enabling people to be how God made them to be."
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks.
    • "Myers, quoting J. Pilch ("Healing in Mark: A Social Science analysis," Biblical Theology Bulletin, 1985), suggests two approaches to illness. There is the biomedical perspective that emphasizes the diseases and cures of individuals. There is also the sociocultural perspective which takes into account relationships with other people."
  • Commentary, Mark 1:21-28, Stephen Hultgren, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • A Brief Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1, Carl W. Conrad. (Click superscript numbers for commentary.)
  • "The New Teaching with Authority,"Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "Jesus Exorcises Demons in a Synagogue in Galilee," Michael A. Turton's Historical Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, "a complete verse-by-verse commentary on the Gospel of Mark, focusing on the historicity of people, places, events, and sayings in the world of the Gospel of Mark."
  • "What Will You Do With Us, Jesus?" Rev. Todd Weir, bloomingcactus.
    • "Mark?s Gospel helps me understand this-that Jesus stands ready to help us caste aside that which binds and constricts us, the demons that defeat our best and highest purposes."
  • "Hunger for Healing," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
  • Join the Feast, Mark 1:21-28, Beverly Zink-Sawyer, Union PSCE, 2009.
    • "While such a literal understanding of the work of evil spirits may seem anachronistic to modern listeners, we all can attest to the presence and persistence of evil in our world in various guises. The good news in this text, however, is that Jesus demonstrated his power to overcome the forces of evil wherever we may encounter them."
  • "Jesus as Healer," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Health," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
  • Mark 1:21-28, The Beginning of the Good News: the Epiphany Gospels in Mark and John, Paul S. Berge, Texts in Context, Word & World, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1997.
  • Jesus and the Demons, A Markan Epiphany: Lessons from Mark 1, Donald H. Juel and Patrick R. Keifert, Texts in Context, Word & World, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1988.
  • Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
    • "Christians can be off-puttingly, over-confidently arrogant, in what they claim for their view of God."
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, Ordinary 4B, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
  • "Cleansing the 'Desire' to Be Filthy," Jerry Goebel, One Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study and activities.
• Articles & Background:
  • "Mark 1: Jesus in Capernaum and the Tour of Galilee," "Capernaum," wikipedia.
  • "Magic, Miracles, and The Gospel," L. Michael White. PBS From Jesus to Christ.
    • "Probably in some ways, and more than any other issue within the development of early Christianity and the gospels tradition, miracles present one of the problematic areas."
  • "Miracles, In Other Words: Social Science Perspectives on Healings," Jerome H. Neyrey, University of Notre Dame, 1995.
    • "...we should attend to the institution in which the healing takes place, either kinship or politics. What roles does the family have in an illness? How are they socially and economically affected? What role do they play in the seeking of a cure? What costs do they pay or debts to they incur? What if the healing occurs in the political realm, even if this is a healing shrine such as the temple of Asclepius at Epidaurus? Healings, moreover, might have important political implications, for "prophets" arose, echoing themes of liberation and freedom. The political significance of the account of the healing by the Jewish Eleazar before the emperor Vespasian and his retinue should not be discounted (Josephus. Ant. 8.45-48)."
  • "Jesus Christ: Exorcist," Susan R. Garrett, Beliefnet.
    • "When we rush to explain away Jesus' miracles, we risk overlooking the deeper message of his liberating power."
  • "Did Jesus Get Angry?" Selected passages from the Gospels, at Beliefnet. 
  • Capharnaum, featuring information and images from 19 seasons of excavations conducted by the late Fr. Virgilio C. Corbo ofm and Fr. Stanislao Loffereda ofm.
  • "Demonology in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament," Hermann Lichtenberger, Orion center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Associated Literature, 2004.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Bartlett, David L., "Resistance and Healing," The Christian Century, 1991.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Berge, Paul S., "The Beginning of the Good News: The Epiphany Gospels in Mark and John," Word & World, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Dillon, Richard J., "'As One Having Authority' (Mark 1:22): The Controversial Distinction of Jesus' Teaching," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Garland, David E., "'I Am the Lord Your Healer': Mark 1:21-2:12," Review and Expositor, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Juel, Donald H. and Patrick R. Keifert, "A Markan Epiphany: Lessons from Mark 1," Word & World, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • LaGrand, James, "The First of the Miracle Stories According to Mark (1:21-28)," Currents in Theology and Mission, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rhoads, Ray, "Spellbound," The Christian Century, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Watson, Francis, "The Social Function of Mark's Secrecy Theme," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Willson, Patrick J., "An Offering of Questions," The Christian Century, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Reviews:
  • Review: John Chijoke Iwe, Jesus in the Synagogue of Capernaum: The Pericope and its Programmatic character for the Gospel of Mark: An Exegetico-Theological Study of Mark 1:21-28. Editrice Pontificia Universita Gregoriana, 1999. Review by Grant Lemarquand in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
• Sermons:
  • Casting Out Demons, John E. Sumwalt and Jo Perry-Sumwalt.
  • "The Crazies," the Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Day 1, 2006.
  • "I Will, With God's Help," the Rev. Mary Moore Roberson, Day 1, 2006.
  • "Fighting the Blackberry Bushes," Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "A New Kind of Authority," the Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad, Day 1, 1997.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
    • Ordinary 4, 2009
    • Ordinary 4, 2006
    • Ordinary 4, 2000
  • "A Clash of Powerful Forces," John Jewell, 2000.
• With Children:
  • "Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," January 29, 2012, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Mark 1:21-28 and Riding to Washington by Gwenyth Swain.
  • Worshiping with Children, Epiphany 4B, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
  • "Cleaning Out the Icks" (Mark 1: 21-28), Children's Sermon for January 29, 2012, from Anna's Hosannas.
  • "Fishermen Who Became Fishers of Men," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Who Made Up These Rules Anyway?" Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "Jesus Casts an Evil Spirit Out of a Man," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "Take out the Trash," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
• Drama:
  • "A Madman Wants to Enter," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art Images: Mark 1:21-28, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Mark 1:21-28, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • Bulletin Cover Art for Epiphany 4B (1 Corinthians 8:1,3; Mark 1:24-25), Will Humes, Word & Table.
  • Commercial Site: "Casting Out Evil Spirits," Mark 1:21-28, film/visual liturgy, Work of the People.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Healing
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Possession by evil
  • Institutional evil
  • Confrontations with evil
  • Spiritual Struggle
  • Clean/Unclean
  • Authority
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Mark

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