They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes. (Mark 1:22 CSB)

It seems that Jesus preached without notes. He had no study filled with commentaries and systematic theologies. He is the Word incarnate. He spoke with divine authority. He did not read the comments made by previous authors. He was the author. Can an author plagiarize himself? The hearers realized his authority—his divine power—from the words he spoke. It was clear: he had the right to give orders; he had the right to make decisions; and he had the right to expect obedience. What a word!

Jesus’ words astonished them. They were deeply moved and impressed as they listened. On this occasion he was speaking in the local synagogue.

Almost as a footnote to impress upon us the power of those words, Mark continues, Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, “What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (23, 24). I wonder if this demon was a regular at synagogue. (What kind of preaching did he usually hear?) Two things immediately strike me at this point. 1. The unclean spirit clearly saw that there was a new sheriff in town and so he would no longer be welcome, as we will see. 2. And how interesting that it took a demon-possessed man to bear witness to the identity and divinity of Jesus! So Jesus acts quickly: Jesus rebuked him saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him (25, 26).  

Jesus’ word even had the power to cast out demons! The Scripture always demonstrates and illustrates the claims it makes. This brings a further response from those present. I love these. They were all amazed …, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him” (27). What about you? Are you astonished and amazed by the words of Jesus, the word of God? Do you obey him?