The Authority of Jesus: Then and Now (Mark 1:21-28) - 1/28/26

Authority Begins with God’s Word – vv. 21–22

• Jesus enters the synagogue—where the Word should have been central.

• He teaches with authority rooted in Scripture, not tradition or opinion.

• God’s Word, spoken clearly and faithfully, is sufficient.

• The people are astonished—overwhelmed, shaken in mind and heart.

  • Not impressed by style, but confronted by truth.
    

Light (truth) Exposes What Is Hidden – vv. 23–26

• The presence of the Word exposes darkness (John 3:19–21).

• An unclean spirit is revealed in a religious setting.

  • Religion ≠ regeneration.

• Evil does not debate Jesus—it submits.

• Biblical evangelism:

  • No coercion

  • No gimmicks

  • No manipulation

  • Let the Word do the work
    

Amazement Follows a Life Changed – vv. 27–28

• The crowd marvels at both His teaching and His power.

• The focus remains on who Jesus is, not what people can do.

• True amazement points outward—to Christ’s authority, not human ability.
  

THE WHAT NOW

Our Authority Today

• We speak with Christ’s authority, not our own (Matt. 28:18–20).

• The Word of God carries power—not personality, position, or volume (Heb. 4:12).

• Spiritual authority flows from submission to Christ (James 4:7–10).

• The gospel confronts darkness—truth exposes error and sin

  • The Word is our offensive weapon (Eph. 6:17).

• Our confidence rests in Christ’s finished work, not fear of the enemy (Col. 2:15).
  

We do not command authority, we stand under Christ’s authority, sent by Jesus Himself, faithfully proclaiming His Word and trusting His power to work.

Sources:

• Crossway Expository Commentary on Mark

• John MacArthur Commentary on Mark

• Expositor’s Bible Commentary on Mark

• ChatGPT (“EZRA”)— my digital scribe for clarity and grammar.