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Mark 1:21

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

And {G2532} they went {G1531} into {G1519} Capernaum {G2584}; and {G2532} straightway {G2112} on the sabbath day {G4521} he entered {G1525} into {G1519} the synagogue {G4864}, and taught {G1321}.

They entered K'far-Nachum, and on Shabbat Yeshua went into the synagogue and began teaching.

Then Jesus and His companions went to Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.

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

Commentary

Mark 1:21 marks a pivotal moment in Jesus' public ministry, immediately following the calling of His first disciples. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' powerful teachings and miraculous deeds in Capernaum, which would become a significant hub for His Galilean ministry.

Historical and Cultural Context

The setting for this verse is Capernaum, a bustling fishing village on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was a strategic location and became Jesus' primary base of operations in Galilee, often referred to as "His own city" (Matthew 9:1). The presence of a Roman customs post and a synagogue indicates its importance and diverse population.

The action takes place "on the sabbath day," the weekly day of rest and worship for Jews, observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. During this time, Jewish communities would gather in the local synagogue, which served as the center for religious instruction, prayer, and community life. It was customary for invited guests or learned individuals to read from the Scriptures and offer commentary, providing Jesus a natural platform to begin His public teaching.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Jesus' Immediate and Purposeful Ministry: The word "straightway" (Greek: euthys), characteristic of Mark's Gospel, emphasizes Jesus' immediate and urgent initiation of His public ministry. There is no delay; His mission is paramount.
  • Teaching with Authority: The synagogue was a place of instruction, and Jesus' choice to teach there highlights the centrality of His message. The subsequent verse (Mark 1:22) reveals that His teaching was unlike that of the scribes, possessing an inherent authority that astonished His listeners. This authority distinguished Him and captivated His audience (Matthew 7:29).
  • Engagement with Jewish Tradition: Jesus did not abandon the established forms of Jewish worship and community life. By entering the synagogue on the Sabbath, He demonstrated His connection to His Jewish heritage and sought to bring His message within the existing framework, even as He would later challenge and redefine certain interpretations of the Sabbath law (Mark 2:27-28).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "straightway" is euthys (εὐθύς). This adverb is used frequently by Mark, appearing over 40 times in his Gospel. It conveys a sense of immediacy, urgency, and rapid progression of events. It underscores the dynamic and purposeful nature of Jesus' ministry, highlighting that His actions are deliberate and divinely driven, moving quickly from one significant event to the next.

Practical Application

Mark 1:21 offers several insights for believers today:

  • Commitment to the Word: Jesus' immediate act of teaching in the synagogue underscores the supreme importance of God's Word. Our spiritual lives should also be centered on learning and applying biblical truth.
  • Authority of Christ: We are called to receive Jesus' teachings not as mere suggestions but as authoritative truth from God Himself. His words carry eternal weight and wisdom.
  • Engaging with Community: Jesus engaged with the existing community structures (the synagogue) to share His message. This encourages believers to be present and active in their communities, seeking opportunities to share the Gospel within relevant contexts.
  • Living with Urgency: The "straightway" attitude of Jesus reminds us of the urgency of the Gospel message and the importance of being ready to act on God's call in our lives without delay.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 6:2 (8 votes)

    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?

  • Matthew 4:23 (6 votes)

    ¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

  • Mark 1:39 (6 votes)

    And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

  • Acts 13:14 (4 votes)

    ¶ But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

  • Acts 13:52 (4 votes)

    And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

  • Acts 17:2 (4 votes)

    And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

  • Acts 18:4 (3 votes)

    And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.