It matters greatly to Mark to underscore how defenseless the demon is. As soon as the demon sees Jesus enter the synagogue, he realizes that he is in peril and cries out, “Have you come to destroy us?” (1:24). This is not an encounter among equals. No argument ensues; there is no struggle and no opposition. All the demon can do is acknowledge who Jesus is—“I know who you are” (1:24)—and to surrender unconditionally. Jesus is rather short in his reply, “Be silent and come out of him!” (1:25)—a mere five words in the Greek text. There is no elaborate procedure, no incantation, no ritual. The
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