Mk 1:21-28
Throughout Mark’s Gospel, there exists a theme, which is often referred to as the “messianic secret.” What this refers to is the fact that Jesus in this Gospel often exhorts those with whom he comes into contact not to tell others about him. Ironically, the “messianic secret” seems to be known by everyone in the Gospel who should not know it, whereas those who should know who the Messiah is do not ever seem to recognize him. So, unclean spirits cry out that Jesus is the Son of God, a title which was used only in the first verse of the Gospel and by the voice from the heavens in a private moment following Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration.
This pattern will continue to be seen throughout the rest of the Gospel. The unclean spirits, the outcasts, those who should not know who Jesus is will constantly be proclaiming the truth while those who should be able to identify him, the disciples, never seem to get it. In presenting scenes like this, Mark is trying to alert his readers. So often people think they know who Jesus is, and what it means to call him “Messiah,” “Son of God,” and “Lord.” Mark is stating that such people may find out that this is not enough. Jesus recognizes as his own only those who hear his word and keep it. To the others he will say, “I do not know you.” The turning point, the clearest statement of this theme, will be found near the end of chapter eight of the Gospel. Here, Mark makes perfectly clear that “Messiah,” “Son of God,” and “Lord” have to do with power, in which Jesus is not interested. A new title is given to Jesus—“Son of Man.” This title indicates that Jesus is the suffering, dying, and rising Messiah; he is powerless. Those who think that following a Jesus of power is the way of discipleship, according to Mark, quickly discover that they do not really know who Jesus is.