Mark 1:34, commentary and pictures

After the Sabbath had ended at sunset, he spent the evening at Capernaum healing many who were sick with different diseases and casting out many demons, not allowing the demons to speak because they knew him. The sick came after sunset because fear of being called Sabbath-breakers had kept them away during the day, and then they flocked from every part of the city, many carried by friends because they were helpless and near death. Beginning with the first one brought and continuing late into the night until the last sufferer was relieved, he healed each one who came by a word or a touch, so that they returned home restored in sound mind and healthy body. He did this from deep love, sympathy and compassion at the sight of suffering, rejoicing in their recovery and in the happiness of those made whole. The demons yielded to his authority because they knew him as Christ the Son of God, yet he forbade them to make him known, displaying in healing and deliverance his divine power to save.

Evening Healing at Capernaum

Mark 1:34 describes a great evening of healing at Capernaum after the Sabbath had ended at sunset in the west. The acts of mercy done earlier that Sabbath day had spread through the city and made the Pharisees more bitter, and they watched to accuse him, so their influence kept many sick from coming on the Sabbath for fear of being called lawbreakers or violating Sabbath restrictions. Only when the sun was gone and people no longer feared accusation could sufferers be brought without fear. As soon as the sun was gone the diseased flocked from every quarter and throughout the city, some coming on their own and a much larger number carried by friends to the great Physician, including those who could not come themselves and were brought by others.

Those brought were helpless and near death with divers diseases and other grave illness and disability, including burning fevers, paralysis, dropsy, blindness, deafness, lameness, and leprosy with decaying hands held out crying for uncleanness. Beginning with the first one brought, he healed many with different diseases by a word from his lips or a touch of his hand. He healed each supplicant and everyone who came for help, and they returned home restored with sound minds and healthy bodies to gladden with gratitude and rejoicing the homes they had lately left as helpless invalids. His healings restored both health and joy, and he shared in their happiness.

He continued until the last sufferer had been relieved, working late into the night before the crowd departed. His Sabbath healing work was so extensive that it was beyond computation, yet he did not grow weary in it. The healing took place while he preached and labored among the people, and after dismissing the sufferers he spent the night in prayer and returned to his work the next morning.

Compassion and Power Over Demons

He was at work to save through healing and deliverance, displaying divine power in acts of mercy toward the many sick brought to Him. The healing and the freeing of the demon-possessed were one saving work, power made visible in mercy.

He was moved deeply as He looked upon suffering, with love and sympathy and compassion stirring Him toward each sufferer. His example is to comfort the sick and to heal them, without growing weary in the work however extensive it becomes. That tender regard reached every supplicant who came for help.

He rejoiced in their recovery and shared in the happiness of those restored to health and happiness by His power to restore. He cast out many demons by authority, and they yielded because they knew Him as Christ, the Son of God. Yet He did not permit them to speak or to make Him known.

Human beings were verily possessed by demons in His days, and that same possession still occurs. It appears in paroxysms in which a person comes under demonic control with fluent, thick-and-fast speech that many mistake for inspiration from God. The verse holds instruction to be read and received as a call to partake of a rich heavenly banquet.