The Meaning of Mark 1:34 Explained

Mark 1:34

KJV: And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

YLT: and he healed many who were ill of manifold diseases, and many demons he cast forth, and was not suffering the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Darby: And he healed many suffering from various diseases; and he cast out many demons, and did not suffer the demons to speak because they knew him.

ASV: And he healed many that were sick with divers diseases, and cast out many demons; and he suffered not the demons to speak, because they knew him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  he healed  many  that were  sick  of divers  diseases,  and  cast out  many  devils;  and  suffered  not  the devils  to speak,  because  they knew  him. 

What does Mark 1:34 Mean?

Study Notes

devils
demons.
Devils
Devils, lit demons. To the reality and personality of demons the N.T. scriptures bear abundant testimony. As to their origin nothing is clearly revealed, but they are not to be confounded with the angels mentioned in 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 .
Summary: Demons are spirits Matthew 12:43 ; Matthew 12:45 are Satan's emissaries; Matthew 12:26 ; Matthew 12:27 ; Matthew 25:41 and so numerous as to make Satan's power practically ubiquitous. Mark 5:9 . They are capable of entering and controlling both men and beasts Mark 5:8 ; Mark 5:11-13 and earnestly seek embodiment, without which, apparently, they are powerless for evil.; Matthew 12:43 ; Matthew 12:44 ; Mark 5:10-12 . Demon influence and demon possession are discriminated in the N. T. Instances of the latter are; Matthew 4:24 ; Matthew 8:16 ; Matthew 8:28 ; Matthew 8:33 ; Matthew 9:32 ; Matthew 12:22 ; Mark 1:32 ; Ephesians 6:13-185 ; Mark 5:16 ; Mark 5:18 ; Luke 8:35 ; Acts 8:7 ; Acts 16:16 . They are unclean, sullen, violent, and malicious; Matthew 8:28 ; Matthew 9:23 ; Matthew 10:1 ; Matthew 12:43 ; Mark 1:23 ; Mark 5:3-5 ; Mark 9:17 ; Mark 9:20 ; Luke 6:18 ; Luke 9:39 . They know Jesus Christ as Most High God, and recognize His supreme authority; Matthew 8:31 ; Matthew 8:32 ; Mark 1:24 ; Acts 19:15 ; James 2:19 . They know their eternal fate to be one of torment; Matthew 8:29 ; Luke 8:31 . They inflict physical maladies; Matthew 12:22 ; Matthew 17:15-18 ; Luke 13:16 but mental disease is to be distinguished from the disorder of mind due to demonical control. Demon influence may manifest itself in religion asceticism and formalism 1 Timothy 4:1-3 degenerating into uncleanness 2 Peter 2:10-12 . The sign of demon influence in religion is departing from the faith, i.e. the body of revealed truth in the Scriptures. 1 Timothy 4:1 . The demons maintain especially a conflict with believers who would be spiritual.; Ephesians 6:12 ; 1 Timothy 4:1-3 . All unbelievers are open to demon possession Ephesians 2:2 . The believer's resources, prayer and bodily control Matthew 17:21 "the whole armour of God" 1714034177_80 . Exorcism in the name of Jesus Christ Acts 16:18 was practised for demon possession. One of the awful features of the apocalyptic judgments in which this age will end is an irruption of demons out the abyss. Revelation 9:1-11 .

Context Summary

Mark 1:21-39 - The Helper Of The Needy
The word straightway is typical of our Lord's life. It occurs at least eleven times in this chapter (r.v.), and is the keynote of Mark's Gospel, which is pre-eminently the gospel of service. The ancient symbol for this Gospel was the ox. There is comparatively little said in it, as in Matthew, about the King; or, as in Luke, about the details of Jesus' humanity; or, as in John, about His divine sonship. There are suggestions of all these, but emphasis is laid on the unresting labors of Jesus, who went about doing good. In illustration of this trait in the Master's life, the evangelist narrates the proceedings of two typical days, the one at the beginning, the other at the close of His ministry. The first typical day is recorded in this chapter, Mark 1:21-38. The morning was spent in the synagogue, where at the close of the service the demon was cast out; the afternoon witnessed the healing of Peter's wife's mother; the evening beheld the throng at the door, whom he healed. Early next day He had gone forth for prayer, and forthwith started on a mission throughout all Galilee. The second typical day is recorded in Mark 11:20-33; Mark 12:1-44; Mark 13:1-37. [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 1

1  The office of John the Baptist
9  Jesus is baptized;
12  tempted;
14  he preaches;
16  calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John;
23  heals one that had a demon;
29  Peter's mother in law;
32  many diseased persons;
40  and cleanses the leper

Greek Commentary for Mark 1:34

Devils [δαιμονια]
Demons it should be translated always. [source]
Suffered not [ουκ ηπιεν]
Would not allow, imperfect tense of continued refusal. The reason given is “because they knew him” Whether “to be Christ” (Χριστον ειναι — Christon einai) is genuine or not, that is the meaning and is a direct reference to Mark 1:24 when in the synagogue the demon recognized and addressed Jesus as the Holy One of God. Testimony from such a source was not calculated to help the cause of Christ with the people. He had told the other demon to be silent. See note on Matthew 8:29 for discussion of the word demon. [source]
Devils [δαιμόνια]
The Rev., unfortunately, and against the protest of the American committee, retains devils instead of rendering demons. See on Matthew 4:1. The New Testament uses two kindred words to denote the evil spirits which possessed men, and which were so often east out by Christ: διάμων , of which demon is a transcript, and which occurs, according to the best texts, only at Matthew 8:31; and δαιμόνιον , which is not a diminutive, but the neuter of the adjective δαιμόνιος ,of, or belonging to a demon. The cognate verb is δαιμονίζομαι to be possessed with a demon, as in Mark 1:32. The derivation of the word is uncertain. Perhaps δαίω , to distribute, since the deities allot the fates of men. Plato derives it from δαήμων , knowing or wise. In Hesiod, as in Pythagoras, Thales, and Plutarch, the word δαίμων is used of men of the golden age, acting as tutelary deities, and forming the link between gods and men. Socrates, in Plato's “Cratylus,” quotes Hesiod as follows: “Socrates: You know how Hesiod uses the word? Hermogenes: Indeed I do not. Soc.: Do you not remember that he speaks of a golden race of men who came first? Her.: Yes, I know that. Soc.: He says of them,But now that fate has closed over this race,They are holy demons upon earth,Beneficent, averters of ills, guardians of mortal men.'”After some further conversation, Socrates goes on: “And therefore I have the most entire conviction that he called them demons, because they were δαήμονες (knowing or wise )Now, he and other poets say truly that, when a good man dies, he has honor and a mighty portion among the dead, and becomes a demon, which is a name given to him signifying wisdom. And I say, too, that every wise man who happens to be a good man is more than human ( δαιμόνιον ) both in life and death, and is rightly called a demon.” Mr. Grote (“History of Greece”) observes that in Hesiod demons are “invisible tenants of the earth, remnants of the once happy golden race whom the Olympic gods first made - the unseen police of the gods, for the purpose of repressing wicked behavior in the world.” In later Greek the word came to be used of any departed soul. In Homer δαίμων is used synonymously with θεός and θεά , god and goddess, and the moral quality of the divinity is determined by the context: but most commonly of the divine power or agency, like the Latin numen, the deity considered as a power rather than as a person. Homer does not use δαιμόνιον substantively, but as an adjective, always in the vocative case, and with a sorrowful or reproachful sense, indicating that the person addressed is in some astonishing or strange condition. Therefore, as a term of reproach - wretch! sirrah! madman! (“Iliad,” 2:190,200; 4:31; ix., 40). Occasionally in an admiring or respectful sense (“Odyssey,” xiv., 443; xxiii., 174); Excellent stranger! noble sir! Homer also uses δαίμων of one's genius or attendant spirit, and thence of one's lot orfortune. So in the beautiful simile of the sick father (“Odyssey,” 5:396), “Some malignant genius has assailed him.” Compare “Odyssey,” x., 64; xi., 61. Hence, later, the phrase κατὰ δαίμονα is nearly equivalent to by chance. We have seen that, in Homer, the bad sense of δαιμόνοις is the prevailing one. In the tragedians, also, δαίμων , though used both of good and bad fortune, occurs more frequently in the latter sense, and toward this sense the word gravitates more and more. The undertone of Greek thought, which tended to regard no man happy until he had escaped from life (see on Matthew 5:3, blessed )naturally imparted a gloomy and forbidding character to those who were supposed to allot the destinies of life. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
In classical Greek it is noticeable that the abstract τὸ δαιμόνιον fell into the background behind δαίμων , with the development in the latter of the notion of a fate or genius connected with each individual, as the demon of Socrates; while in biblical Greek the process is the reverse, this doctrine being rejected for that of an overruling personal providence, and the strange gods, “obscure to human knowledge and alien to human life,” taking the abstract term uniformly in an evil sense. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Empedocles, a Greek philosopher, of Sicily, developed Hesiod's distinction; making the demons of a mixed nature between gods and men, not only the link between the two, but having an agency and disposition of their own; not immortal, but long-lived, and subject to the passions and propensities of men. While in Hesiod the demons are all good, according to Empedocles they are both bad and good. This conception relieved the gods of the responsibility for proceedings unbecoming the divine nature. The enormities which the older myths ascribed directly to the gods - thefts, rapes, abductions - were the doings of bad demons. It also saved the credit of the old legends, obviating the necessity of pronouncing either that the gods were unworthy or the legends untrue. “Yet, though devised for the purpose of satisfying a more scrupulous religious sensibility, it was found inconvenient afterward when assailants arose against paganism generally. For while it abandoned as indefensible a large portion of what had once been genuine faith, it still retained the same word demons with an entirely altered signification. The Christian writers in their controversies found ample warrant among the earlier pagan authors for treating all the gods as demons; and not less ample warrant among the later pagans for denouncing the demons generally as evil beings” (Grote, “History of Greece”). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
This evil sense the words always bear in the New Testament as well as in the Septuagint. Demons are synonymous with unclean spirits (Mark 5:12, Mark 5:15; Mark 3:22, Mark 3:30; Luke 4:33). They appear in connection with Satan (Luke 10:17, Luke 10:18; Luke 11:18, Luke 11:19); they are put in opposition to the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:20, 1 Corinthians 10:21); to the faith (1 Timothy 4:1). They are connected with idolatry (Revelation 9:20; Revelation 16:13, Revelation 16:14). They are special powers of evil, influencing and disturbing the physical, mental, and moral being (Luke 13:11, Luke 13:16; Mark 5:2-5; Mark 7:25; Matthew 12:45). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 1:34

Mark 1:12 Driveth him [ἐκβάλλει]
Stronger than Matthew's ἀνήχθη , was led up, and Luke's ἤγετο , was led. See on Matthew 9:38. It is the word used of our Lord's expulsion of demons, Mark 1:34, Mark 1:39. [source]
Mark 1:12 Driveth him forth [αυτον εκβαλλει]
Vivid word, bolder than Matthew‘s “was led up” It is the same word employed in the driving out of demons (Mark 1:34, Mark 1:39). Mark has here “straightway” where Matthew has “then” (see note on Mark 1:9). The forty days in the wilderness were under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit. The entire earthly life of Jesus was bound up with the Holy Spirit from his birth to his death and resurrection. [source]
John 7:20 A devil [δαιμόνιον]
Or more correctly, a demon. See on Mark 1:34. The name was applied to Jesus by the multitude ( ὄχλος ) and not by those whom He was addressing in John 7:19, because of the gloomy suspicions which they thought He entertained, and in entire ignorance of the design of the Jews which Jesus had penetrated. The same term was applied to John the Baptist, the ascetic, as one who withdrew from social intercourse (Matthew 11:18). [source]
1 Corinthians 10:20 Devils [δαιμονίοις]
See on Mark 1:34. Used here, as always in the New Testament, of diabolic spirits. Δαιμόνιον the neuter of the adjective δαιμόνιος divineoccurs in Paul's writings only here and 1 Timothy 4:1. It is used in the Septuagint, Deuteronomy 32:17, to translate the Hebrew word which seems, originally, to have meant a supernatural being inferior to the gods proper, applied among the Assyrians to the bulldeities which guarded the entrances to temples and palaces. Among the Israelites it came to signify all gods but the God of Israel. Compare Isaiah 65:11, where Gad (good fortune, probably the star-God Jupiter) is rendered in the Septuagint τῷ δαιμονίῳ thedemon. See Rev, O.T. Also Psalm 96:5(Sept. 95), where elilim things of nought, A.V. idols, is rendered by δαιμόνια demonsi0. [source]
Titus 3:3 Foolish [ανοητοι]
See Romans 1:14, Romans 1:21. Disobedient (απειτεις — apeitheis). See note on Romans 1:30. Deceived Present passive participle of πλαναω — planaō though the middle is possible. Divers lusts (ηδοναις ποικιλαις — hēdonais poikilais). “Pleasures” (ηδοναις — hēdonais from ηδομαι — hēdomai old word, in N.T. only here, Luke 8:14; James 4:1, James 4:3; 2 Peter 2:13). Ποικιλαις — Poikilais (old word) is many-coloured as in Mark 1:34; James 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:6, etc. Living See note on 1 Timothy 3:6 (supply βιον — bion). In malice (εν κακιαι — en kakiāi). See note on Romans 1:29. Envy See note on Romans 1:29. Hateful (στυγητοι — stugētoi). Late passive verbal from στυγεω — stugeō to hate. In Philo, only here in N.T. Hating one another Active sense and natural result of being “hateful.” [source]
Titus 3:3 Divers lusts [ηδοναις ποικιλαις]
“Pleasures” Ποικιλαις — Poikilais (old word) is many-coloured as in Mark 1:34; James 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:6, etc. [source]
Titus 3:3 Deceived [πλανωμενοι]
Present passive participle of πλαναω — planaō though the middle is possible. Divers lusts (ηδοναις ποικιλαις — hēdonais poikilais). “Pleasures” (ηδοναις — hēdonais from ηδομαι — hēdomai old word, in N.T. only here, Luke 8:14; James 4:1, James 4:3; 2 Peter 2:13). Ποικιλαις — Poikilais (old word) is many-coloured as in Mark 1:34; James 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:6, etc. Living See note on 1 Timothy 3:6 (supply βιον — bion). In malice (εν κακιαι — en kakiāi). See note on Romans 1:29. Envy See note on Romans 1:29. Hateful (στυγητοι — stugētoi). Late passive verbal from στυγεω — stugeō to hate. In Philo, only here in N.T. Hating one another Active sense and natural result of being “hateful.” [source]
Revelation 9:20 Devils [δαιμόνια]
More properly, demons. See on Mark 1:34. Compare 1 Corinthians 10:20; 1 Timothy 4:1. [source]
Revelation 18:2 Devils [δαιμόνων]
Properly, demons, which Rev., strangely commits to the margin. See on Mark 1:34. See Isaiah 13:20-22; Isaiah 34:13-15. Also on Luke 11:24. [source]
Revelation 11:9 Do look upon [βλεπουσιν]
Present (vivid dramatic) active indicative of βλεπω — blepō days and a half Accusative of extent of time. ημισυ — Hēmisu is neuter singular though ημερας — hēmeras (days) is feminine as in Mark 6:23; Revelation 12:14. The days of the gloating over the dead bodies are as many as the years of the prophesying by the witnesses (Revelation 11:3), but there is no necessary correspondence (day for a year). This delight of the spectators “is represented as at once fiendish and childish” (Swete).Suffer not (ουκ απιουσιν — ouk aphiousin). Present active indicative of απιω — aphiō late form for απιημι — aphiēmi as in Mark 1:34 (cf. απεις — apheis in Revelation 2:20). This use of απιημι — aphiēmi with the infinitive is here alone in the Apocalypse, though common elsewhere (John 11:44, John 11:48; John 12:7; John 18:8).Their dead bodies “Their corpses,” plural here, though singular just before and in Revelation 11:8.To be laid in a tomb (τετηναι εις μνημα — tethēnai eis mnēma). First aorist passive of τιτημι — tithēmi to place. Μνημα — Mnēma (old word from μιμνησκω — mimnēskō to remind) is a memorial, a monument, a sepulchre, a tomb (Mark 5:3). “In a country where burial regularly took place on the day of death the time of exposure and indignity would be regarded long” (Beckwith). See Tobit 1:18ff. [source]
Revelation 11:9 Suffer not [ουκ απιουσιν]
Present active indicative of απιω — aphiō late form for απιημι — aphiēmi as in Mark 1:34 (cf. απεις — apheis in Revelation 2:20). This use of απιημι — aphiēmi with the infinitive is here alone in the Apocalypse, though common elsewhere (John 11:44, John 11:48; John 12:7; John 18:8). [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 1:34 mean?

And He healed many sick being of various diseases demons many He cast out not He would allow to speak the because they knew Him Christ to be
καὶ ἐθεράπευσεν πολλοὺς κακῶς ἔχοντας ποικίλαις νόσοις δαιμόνια πολλὰ ἐξέβαλεν οὐκ ἤφιεν λαλεῖν τὰ ὅτι ᾔδεισαν αὐτόν (Χριστὸν εἶναι)

ἐθεράπευσεν  He  healed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: θεραπεύω  
Sense: to serve, do service.
πολλοὺς  many 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
κακῶς  sick 
Parse: Adverb
Root: κακῶς  
Sense: miserable, to be ill.
ἔχοντας  being 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.
ποικίλαις  of  various 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ποικίλος  
Sense: a various colours, variegated.
νόσοις  diseases 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: νόσος  
Sense: disease, sickness.
δαιμόνια  demons 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: δαιμόνιον  
Sense: the divine power, deity, divinity.
πολλὰ  many 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
ἐξέβαλεν  He  cast  out 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐκβάλλω  
Sense: to cast out, drive out, to send out.
ἤφιεν  He  would  allow 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀφίημι 
Sense: to send away.
λαλεῖν  to  speak 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: ἀπολαλέω 
Sense: to utter a voice or emit a sound.
ὅτι  because 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
ᾔδεισαν  they  knew 
Parse: Verb, Pluperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.
(Χριστὸν  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
εἶναι)  to  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.

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