Mark 1:21–28

Verse 24. The Greek text has here the same as in Luke 4:34, Let us alone. V.—I know who thou art. It is a common opinion, that the devil did not know for certain that Jesus was the true Son of God. Yet Saint Mark’s words, both in this and verse 34, seem to signify he did know it. Witham.

Verse 25. Christ would not suffer the devils to be produced as witnesses of his divinity; the author of truth could not bear the father of lies to bear testimony of him. Hence Jesus threatened him, in order to teach us never to believe or put our trust in demons, whatever they may foretell. Saint John Chrysostom

Verse 26. Tearing him: not that the devil tore the poor man’s limbs or body; for Saint Luke (4:35) expressly tells us, that the devil hurt him not. It means no more, than that he shook him with violent agitations. Witham.

Verse 27. It is observed by S. Justin, (Apol. i. 54) that the discourses of Jesus were short and concise. Saint John Chrysostom (in hom. xlviii in Matt.) says, that Christ here accommodated his preaching to his hearers, and to his subject. The ancients differ as to the length of time employed by Christ in the ministry of the word. It is most probable that he spent about three years in announcing to the world his heavenly doctrines. In the first year of his preaching, he seems not to have met with any great opposition; and on this account it may have been called, by the prophet Isaias, the acceptable year. Sandinus.—What is this new doctrine? In the Greek, This new manner of instructing. See below, 14:2, and 12:38.