Church Fathers Commentary Mark 1:32-34

"And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were sick, and them that were possessed with demons. And all the city was gathered together at the door. 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." — Mark 1:32-34 (ASV)

Theophylact of Ohrid: Because the crowd thought it was not lawful to heal on the Sabbath day, they waited for the evening to bring to Jesus those who were to be healed.

Therefore, it is said, And at even, when the sun had set.

It continues, and He healed many that were vexed with divers diseases.

Pseudo-Chrysostom: Now when he says "many," all are to be understood according to the scriptural way of speaking.¹

Theophylact of Ohrid: Or, he says "many" because there were some who were faithless and could not be cured on account of their unbelief. Therefore, He healed many of those who were brought—that is, all who had faith.

It goes on, and cast out many devils.

Pseudo-Augustine: For the demons knew that He was the Christ, who had been promised by the Law, for they saw in Him all the signs that had been foretold by the Prophets. However, they were ignorant of His divinity, as were their princes, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8).²

The Venerable Bede: The devil had known Him as a man, wearied by His forty-day fast, yet was unable to prove by temptation whether He was the Son of God. Now, however, through the power of His miracles, the devil understood—or rather, suspected—that He was the Son of God.

Therefore, the reason he persuaded the Jews to crucify Him was not that he did not think He was the Son of God, but that he did not foresee that he himself would be condemned by Christ's death.

Theophylact of Ohrid: Furthermore, the reason He forbade the demons to speak was to teach us not to believe them, even if they speak the truth. For if they find people who will believe them, they mix truth with falsehood.

Pseudo-Chrysostom: And Luke does not contradict this when he says that devils came out of many, crying out and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God (Luke 4:41). For he then adds, And He rebuking them, suffered them not to speak. Mark, who omits many things for brevity, is speaking about what happened after these words were spoken.³

The Venerable Bede: Again, in a mystical sense, the setting of the sun signifies the passion of Him who said, As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:5). And when the sun was going down, more demon-possessed and sick people were healed than before, because He who, while living in the flesh for a time, taught a few Jews, has now transmitted the gifts of faith and health to all the Gentiles throughout the world.

Pseudo-Jerome: Morally speaking, however, the door to the kingdom is repentance and faith, which brings about healing for various diseases, for the city of this world is sick with many different vices.

1. Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.
2. Quaest. e Vet. et Nov. Test. 16
3. Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.