Mark 1:23 - Exposition

And straightway there was in their synagogne a man with an unclean spirit . According to the best authorities, the sentence in the Greek runs thus, καὶ εὐθὺς ἦν ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ αὐτῶν· And straightway there was in their synagogue , etc. This word "straightway" adds much force to the sentence. It marks the immediate effect of our Lord's preaching. A man with an unclean spirit. The words are literally, "a man in an unclean spirit" ( ἐν πνεύματι ἀκάθαρτῳ ); in his grasp, so to speak; possessed by him. There can be no reasonable doubt as to the personality of this unclean spirit. The man was so absolutely in the power of this evil spirit that he seemed to dwell in him; just as the world is said by St. John ( 1 John 5:19 ) to lie "in the evil one" ( ἐν τῷ πονηρῷ ). And he cried out . Who cried out? Surely the unclean spirit, using the possessed man as his instrument. In the case of a true prophet, inspired by the Holy Spirit, he is permitted to use his own gifts, his reason, and even his own particular manner of speech; whereas here a false and lying spirit usurps the organs of speech, and makes them his own.