Mark 1:23

An unclean spirit. Gr. pneuma akatharton. In the Gospels this expression is used synonymously with daimonion (cf. Matt. 10:1 with Luke 9:1), a word that indicates a spirit superior to men, and which in the NT always applies to an evil spirit, a demon or devil. The Gospels record six specific instances of demon possession: (1) The man in the synagogue at Capernaum (see on Mark 1:12-28), (2) an unidentified man who was dumb as well as possessed (see on Matt. 9:32-34), (3) the two demoniacs of Gadara (see on Mark 5:1-20), (4) the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman (see on Matt. 15:21-28), (5) the son of an unidentified man (see on Mark 9:14-29), and (6) Mary (Mark 16:9). In addition to these specific cases, the Gospels often mention that Jesus and His disciples healed those afflicted with evil spirits. For a discussion of demon possession in NT times, see Additional Note at end of chapter.

He cried out. This occurred at the point where Christ was speaking of His mission to set free those who were slaves of sin and of Satan (see MH 91; cf. on Luke 4:18). In this experience Christ was brought once more face to face with the enemy whom He had defeated in the wilderness of temptation (see DA 256). The audience was listening intently to the message Christ bore, and Satan designed in this way to divert the attention of the people from the truth that was finding fertile ground in at least some of their hearts.