Mark 1:28-34

1:28 So¹ the news about him spread quickly throughout all the region around Galilee.

Healings at Simon’s House

1:29 Now² as soon as they left the synagogue,³ they entered Simon and Andrew’s house, with James and John. 1:30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying down, sick with a fever, so⁴ they spoke to Jesus⁵ at once about her. 1:31 He came and raised her up by gently taking her hand. Then the fever left her and she began to serve⁶ them. 1:32 When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and demon-possessed. 1:33 The whole town gathered by the door. 1:34 So⁷ he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons.⁸ But⁹ he would not permit the demons to speak,¹⁰ because they knew him.¹¹

¹tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.

²tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

³sn See the note on synagogue in 1:21.

⁴tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.

⁵tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁶tn The imperfect verb is taken ingressively here.

⁷tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.

⁸sn Note how the author distinguishes healing from exorcism here, implying that the two are not identical.

⁹tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

¹⁰sn Why Jesus would not permit the demons to speak is much discussed. Two possibilities are (1) the mere source of the testimony (demonic) and (2) that the title, with its political implications, may have had elements that Jesus wished to avoid until the full nature of his mission was clarified.

¹¹tc The mss vary on what is read at the end of v. 34. Some have “they knew him to be the Christ,” with various Greek constructions (ᾔδεισαν αὐτὸν Χριστὸν εἶναι [hdeisan auton Criston einai] in B L W Θ Ë¹ 28 33^vid 565 2427 al; ᾔδεισαν τὸν Χριστὸν αὐτὸν εἶναι [hdeisan ton Criston auton einai] in [א²] C [Ë¹³ 700] 892 1241 [1424] pc); codex D has “they knew him and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons,” reproducing exactly the first half of the verse. These first two longer readings are predictable expansions to an enticingly brief statement; the fact that there are significant variations on the word order and presence or absence of τόν argues against their authenticity as well. D’s reading is a palpable error of sight. The reading adopted in the translation is supported by א* A 0130 Ï lat. This support, though hardly overwhelming in itself, in combination with strong internal evidence, renders the shorter reading fairly certain.