Text: Mark 1:27-28

27, And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

28, And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

Introduction:

Mark records in his Gospel some 17 times when people reacted in great amazement to the things that Jesus did. Almost twice as much as the other two gospel writers combined (none in John). 

Let us consider what Mark tells us that so amazed the people that came in contacted with Jesus.

    1.      What thing is this? Even the unclean spirits obey Him

    a.       Amazing doctrine

Mark 1:21-22

21, And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

22, And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

    b.      Amazing miracle

Mark 1:23-26

23, And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

24, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

25, And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

26, And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

    c.       They were all amazed

Mark 1:27

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

    2.      Never saw it on this fashion, a lame man walks

    a.       They were all amazed

Mark 2:1-12

1, And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

2, And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

3, And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

4, And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

5, When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

6, But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

8, And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9, Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10, But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

11, I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

12, And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

    3.      They were astonished, a dead girl lives

    a.       Jairus’ daughter is sick

Mark 5:21-24

21, And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

22, And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

23, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

24, And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

    b.      The woman with an issue of blood interrupts the precession (Mark 5:25-34)

    c.       Jairus is given the bad news

Mark 5:35-40

35, While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

36, As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

37, And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

38, And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

39, And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

40, And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

    d.      They were astonished with a great astonishment 

Mark 5:41-42

41, And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

42, And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

    4.      They were amazed beyond measure, the wind ceased

Mark 6:44-51

44, And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

45, And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

46, And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

47, And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

48, And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

49, But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

50, For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

51, And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

    5.      Truly this is the son of God

Mark 15:34, 37, 39

34, And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

37, And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

39, And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

    6.      They were amazed, the tomb was empty

Mark 16:1-8

1, And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

2, And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

3, And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

4, And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

5, And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

6, And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

7, But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

8, And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

    7.      Closing

Mark 6:2-3

2, And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

3, Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.