Jesus Heals in Capernaum
A day of teaching and healing
This story includes an evil spirit.
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
On the Sabbath in Capernaum, Jesus taught in the synagogue with authority, and when a man with an unclean spirit cried out, Jesus commanded it to come out, and it obeyed. Then Jesus healed Simon's mother-in-law of a fever, and that evening the whole town brought their sick to the door. Early the next morning, Jesus went off alone to pray, then moved on to preach in other towns.
Where it is in the Bible: Mark 1:21-39
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. He has just begun his work in Galilee.
- Simon, Andrew, James, and John: Four fishermen. Jesus called them to follow him a short time ago.
- A man with an unclean spirit: A man in the synagogue who is controlled by an evil spirit.
- Simon's mother-in-law: The mother of Simon's wife. She is sick with a fever.
- The people of Capernaum: The whole town, who come to the door that evening.
Setting
- Capernaum, a fishing town on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. First the synagogue, then Simon and Andrew's house.
When
- One Sabbath day and the next morning, about 2,000 years ago.
Before the Story
Jesus had just started preaching. He said, "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!" (1:15). The kingdom of God means God's rule, the way God runs things. To repent means to turn back to God.
Jesus called four fishermen. Simon, Andrew, James, and John left their nets to follow him (1:16-20).
Before that, Jesus was tested in the wilderness. For forty days he was tempted by Satan, God's enemy (1:12-13).
Here's what you know that the people in Capernaum don't: At Jesus's baptism, God said, "You are My beloved Son" (1:11). Jesus is God's Son. The people in town are about to see what that means.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A new kind of teacher | 1:21-22 | Jesus teaches in the synagogue |
| 2. A shout in the synagogue | 1:23-26 | Jesus sends out an unclean spirit |
| 3. "What is this?" | 1:27-28 | Everyone is amazed, and the news spreads |
| 4. A fever | 1:29-31 | Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law |
| 5. The whole town at the door | 1:32-34 | Jesus heals many people after sunset |
| 6. Praying in the dark | 1:35-39 | Jesus goes away to pray, then moves on |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 6A New Kind of Teacher
Jesus and his four new followers went to Capernaum.
On the Sabbath, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, a day of rest and worship. A synagogue is a place where people met to pray and hear God's word.
The people were astonished at his teaching. Astonished means very surprised.
Jesus taught "as one who had authority, and not as the scribes" (1:22). The scribes were teachers of God's law. They often explained what other teachers had said. Jesus spoke as someone who had the right to say what God means.
Scene 2 of 6A Shout in the Synagogue
Suddenly a man in the synagogue cried out. He had an unclean spirit. An unclean spirit is an evil spirit, a demon.
"What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!" (1:24).
The spirit knew who Jesus was. It was afraid of him.
Jesus spoke sharply to the spirit. "Be silent!" he said. "Come out of him!" (1:25).
The spirit shook the man hard and came out of him with a loud scream.
The spirit was gone. The man was free.
Scene 3 of 6"What Is This?"
Everyone was amazed. They asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!" (1:27).
Jesus did not shout or fight. He only spoke, and the spirit had to obey.
News about Jesus spread quickly through the whole area of Galilee.
Scene 4 of 6A Fever
Jesus and his followers left the synagogue. They went to the house of Simon and Andrew. James and John came too.
Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever. They told Jesus about her right away.
Jesus went to her. He took her by the hand and helped her up.
The fever left her. Then she began to serve them, taking care of her guests.
Scene 5 of 6The Whole Town at the Door
That evening, after the sun went down, people brought everyone who was sick to Jesus. They also brought people who had demons.
The whole town gathered at the door.
Jesus healed many people who had all kinds of diseases. He drove out many demons.
He did not let the demons speak, because they knew who he was.
Scene 6 of 6Praying in the Dark
Very early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up. He went out to a quiet place where he could be alone. There he prayed.
Simon and the others went looking for him.
When they found him, they said, "Everyone is looking for You!" (1:37).
But Jesus said, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come" (1:38).
So Jesus went all through Galilee. He preached in their synagogues and drove out demons.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "As one who had authority" (1:22) | Jesus did not only repeat other teachers. He spoke for God, because he is God's Son. |
| "I know who You are—the Holy One of God!" (1:24) | The evil spirit knew who Jesus was before the people did. |
| "Be silent!... Come out of him!" (1:25) | Jesus has power over evil. He only had to speak. |
| "He commands even the unclean spirits" (1:27) | The people saw that Jesus's words do what they say. |
| "Took her by the hand, and helped her up" (1:31) | Jesus healed with a touch. He came close to people who were sick. |
| "He would not allow the demons to speak" (1:34) | Jesus did not want evil spirits telling people who he was. He would show them himself. |
| "For that is why I have come" (1:38) | Jesus came to preach the good news, not only to heal in one town. |
Back Then
Capernaum was Jesus's home base in Galilee. It was a fishing town on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee (Easton's Bible Dictionary). Mark later says Jesus was "at home" there (2:1).
The Sabbath ended at sunset. A Jewish day began and ended at sunset. Many people kept the Sabbath rules by not carrying loads until it ended. That may be why the town waited until after sunset to bring their sick.
A fever could be dangerous. There were no medicines like today's. A high fever could last a long time or even kill.
Literal Reader Alert
Is having a demon the same as having a mental illness? No. Mark tells about sick people and people with demons as two different groups (1:32, 1:34). A mental illness is an illness, like a fever. It is not a demon, and it is not a punishment. Doctors and counselors can help. If you are struggling, please tell a trusted adult. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 any time, day or night. Outside the U.S., findahelpline.com lists free helplines.
Why did Jesus tell the demon to be quiet when it was telling the truth? An evil spirit is not a trustworthy witness. Jesus wanted people to learn who he was from his words and his works, not from his enemies.
Did Simon's mother-in-law have to get up and work right after being sick? Mark shows how completely she was healed. She did not need days to rest. She was strong enough to welcome her guests. Mark uses the same word for "serve" later, when Jesus says he came "to serve" (10:45).
Why did Jesus need to pray? Jesus is God's Son, and he is also fully human. He talked with his Father in prayer. Even when crowds were looking for him, he took time to pray.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The people in the synagogue | Astonished | Jesus taught with authority (1:22) |
| The man | Free | The unclean spirit came out of him (1:26) |
| Simon's mother-in-law | Well | The fever left her (1:31) |
| The town | Hopeful | They brought all their sick to the door (1:32-33) |
| Simon | Confused | Everyone was looking for Jesus, but Jesus wanted to leave (1:37-38) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
If Jesus came to your door today, what would you bring him? Tap one.
Someone who is sick
The people of Capernaum did that. You can pray for them by name. Jesus cares about them.
Something that scares me
Jesus has power over every evil. You can tell him what scares you. Please tell a trusted adult too.
Just myself
That's enough. Jesus took a sick woman by the hand. He comes close to people.
I need quiet
So did Jesus. He went to a quiet place to pray. You can too.
You Might Have Heard
"Jesus was mostly a healer and miracle worker."
What's true: Jesus healed many people. He really did.
What the story is mainly about: Jesus's word has authority. The people noticed his teaching first (1:22). When the crowds wanted more miracles, Jesus said he came to preach (1:38). His healings showed that his word is true.
Where Jesus is: In the synagogue, at a sickbed, at a crowded door, and alone in the dark, praying. Then on the road to the next town.
Good News
Jesus did not stay away from people who were sick or troubled. He took a sick woman by the hand. He stood at a door crowded with hurting people.
"For that is why I have come" (1:38).
He came to bring the good news that God's kingdom is here. Evil has to obey him.
Jesus has authority over sickness and evil. He comes close and lifts people up.
Big Idea
Jesus teaches with authority. Sickness and evil obey his word, and he comes close to lift people up.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In the Large Catechism, Luther teaches that God's word is not dead letters. It is living and active, and it works where it is spoken. In Capernaum, Jesus spoke, and the spirit had to obey.
Luther also prayed early in the morning. He wrote morning and evening prayers in the Small Catechism, to begin and end each day with God.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year B, it reads Mark 1:21-28 on the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, and Mark 1:29-39 on the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray.
How did that feel?
You finished Jesus Heals in Capernaum.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Year BGospel, Mark 1:21–28
- Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany Year BGospel, Mark 1:29–39
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Jesus Heals in Capernaum, explained in plain words. An evil spirit shouts in the synagogue. By evening, the whole town is at the door. About 11 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/jesus-heals-in-capernaum/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church