29 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Directly following the exorcism of the demon possessed man in the synagogue Jesus enters the house of Simon Peter and Andrew. Archaeologists have actually found the foundations of this first century building and you can visit it on tours in the holy land. This house belongs to Simon and Andrew, their home and base for their fishing enterprise. James and John have gone with them, the other disciples have not been chosen yet, we are very early in the stages of Jesus’ ministry.
30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her.
Simon’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever in bed and because of Jesus’ previously miraculous healings they go to him so he can heal her. If you have a mother-in-law you have to be married or at least, were married and are now a widow. The fact Andrew and his mother-in-law both live here indicates that Simon does not own a small house, the archaeological evidence also shows that there were quite a few rooms and a second floor, as most houses in this culture had back then.
31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
Jesus, upon their asking, comes to Simon’s mother-in-law, in Marks account Jesus says nothing, he simply takes her by the hand and lifts her up, the fever immediately leaves. After being healed Simon’s mother-in-law begins to “wait on them” or “she served them”. This was the job of the woman of the house, it was the woman’s job to be in charge of the domestic economy. Zero mention of Simon’s wife but his mother-in-law takes on what would have been her job once she is healed implies that Simon’s wife is dead.
A marriage covenant binds two to become one, your spouses parents become your parents, even if one of you dies. Peter appears to be a widow, honouring his mother-in-law by taking care of her in her old age and letting her live with him. This housing serving position should be done by his wife, unless she has died which is what the text implies.
32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.
That evening at sundown, if you remember it was the sabbath but a Jewish day ends at sundown so now people do not have to worry about travelling restrictions and the weight carrying laws of the Sabbath. Everyone who is sick or possessed are brought to him. These two types of individuals are essentially the two main methods of the evil ones “work” in our world. Physical suffering and spiritual suffering. Jesus has demonstrated he can perform an exorcism in the synagogue and that he can heal sicks in the bedridden mother-in-laws, obviously more people want to receive such graces.
33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door.
His fame as a healer and exorcist precede him and now the entire city of Capernaum are gathered at the door of Simon’s house. This is likely only to include the peasant population and not a literal every person of the city but the poor commoners.
34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Jesus demonstrates that his physical healing abilities are not limited to fevers but extend to various diseases he will also be able to exorcise anyone that comes to him that is possessed. There definitely appears to be at this height of messianic fervour a much larger dominance in demonic possession, this makes sense when you consider that this is the fullness of time, the most desperate demonic effort would take place during this period, not that we don’t still have things to worry about but in this time it basically seems to be common place.
Jesus does not permit the demons to speak “because they knew him” they are aware at least to some degree of his identity. The Messianic secret is required in order to time Jesus’ “hour” that he must endure. He stops the demons from “outing him” so to speak. If the people are to come to an understanding of who he is, it must be through faith, not the demons just outright saying something.
35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.
Similar to the highlights of Luke, here in Mark we see an emphasis on prayer after significant events. In the case of verse 35 it is after Jesus has healed all the sick and possessed of an entire city, he still takes time to be alone with his father and pray.
36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him,
37 and they found him and said to him, “Every one is searching for you.”
Simon as chief apostles, even when there are a total of four of them, leads the others in finding where Jesus has gone. Pursuing him to the lonely place where he was praying they find him and say that he is being looked for by everyone. Jesus is not here of the adulation of the crowds, he wants the people to give thanksgiving to God from their hearts not outward expression but the disciples seem almost confused at why he would avoid a bunch of people he just helped. Jesus’ mission is much more than just curing people of ailments, these are just signs that are to point people into understanding who he is.
38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.”
39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Jesus instead of seeking back out the people he just previously healed instead states he wants to go to the next towns so that he “may preach there also; for that is why I came out.” His message is the important part of his mission, the healings and miracles are only signs that act as witnesses. If he starts saying divine things people might presume anyone could do that, but if he says these things whilst doing miraculous acts at the same time it will be seen as proofs of any claims he makes.
He goes on throughout all of Galilee, going into the synagogues at the times of the services and preaching that the Kingdom of God has arrived. This is the message the Hebrews were supposed to be waiting for in these exact services. Whilst going out preaching he casts out more demons from those who are possessed and we can imply also that he is curing the sick.
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