Mark 1:32
And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
Original Language Analysis
Ὀψίας
even
G3798
Ὀψίας
even
Strong's:
G3798
Word #:
1 of 17
late; feminine (as noun) afternoon (early eve) or nightfall (later eve)
γενομένης
at
G1096
γενομένης
at
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 17
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔφερον
they brought
G5342
ἔφερον
they brought
Strong's:
G5342
Word #:
8 of 17
to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
9 of 17
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔχοντας
that were
G2192
ἔχοντας
that were
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
14 of 17
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Matthew 8:16When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:Luke 4:40Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.Mark 3:2And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.Matthew 4:24And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Historical Context
The Sabbath ended at sundown Saturday, after which work and travel restrictions were lifted according to Pharisaic interpretation. Capernaum, a town of perhaps 1,500 people, would have seen virtually the entire community gather. 'Possessed with devils' reflects the first-century Jewish understanding of demonic influence in mental and physical afflictions.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the crowd's patient waiting until sundown reveal about their understanding of Sabbath law versus their faith in Christ?
- How does this scene of comprehensive human need point to our universal spiritual condition before God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The timing—'when the sun did set'—indicates the Sabbath had ended (which began Friday evening), allowing people to carry burdens and travel. This massive gathering demonstrates Christ's growing fame and the desperate hunger for deliverance from physical and spiritual bondage. The bringing of 'all that were diseased' shows comprehensive need and faith that Christ could heal any condition.