This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time. That the demonic powers possess a certain knowledge of Jesus’ identity is clear from the cry of recognition, “I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” This statement of recognition, however, does not stand alone. It is part of a larger complex of material exhibiting a striking difference between the forms of address employed by the demoniacs and the titles used by ordinary sick individuals. The latter group appeals to Jesus as “Lord” (7:8), “Teacher” (9:17), “Son of David” (10:47–48) or “Master” (10:51). The demoniacs, however, address Jesus as “the Holy One of God” (1:24), “the Son of God” (3:11) or “the Son of the Most High God” (5:7), expressions which identify Jesus as the divine Son of God.

The contrast in address is an important characteristic distinguishing ordinary sickness from demonic possession, and reflects the superior knowledge of the demons. Some scholars make the distinction that the recognition-formula is not a confession, but a defensive attempt to gain control of Jesus in accordance with the common concept of that day, that the use of the precise name of an individual or spirit would secure mastery over him.

This is perhaps why Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit with the words, “Quiet! Come out of him.” (v.25) The defensive address of the demon was powerless before the sovereign command of Jesus. In contrast, exorcists of that same period identified themselves by name or by relationship to some deity or power, pronounced some spell or performed some magical action, Jesus uttered only a few direct words, through which his absolute authority over the demonic power that had held the man captive was demonstrated. The unclean spirit convulsed the possessed man, and with a loud shriek left him.

Jesus’ silencing of the demon has cosmic dimensions—the sustained encounter of the Son of God with Satan. The silencing and expulsion of the demon is the sign of the kingdom which Jesus has come to initiate. To have allowed the defensive utterance of the demon to go unrebuked would have been to compromise the purpose for which Jesus came into the world, to confront Satan and strip him of his power. As such, this initial act of exorcism in the ministry of Jesus is programmatic of the sustained conflict with the demons which is a marked characteristic in the Marcan presentation of the gospel.

Image credit: Jesus in the Synagogue, unknown artist, Vatican News Service | Public Domain