Mark uses the miracle genre to communicate the unique power and authority Jesus wields in his travels and teachings. This focus is evident in Mark from the very first miracle story onward. At the synagogue in Capernaum (1:21ff.), Jesus' teaching astounds all those present for unlike the simple scribal tradition of retelling, Jesus probes the Scriptures, challenges his listeners and speaks as one with unquestionable authority.

The authority theme continues when the unclean spirit reveals itself to Jesus while proclaiming to know Jesus' true identity. Whether it is to rid the man and the synagogue of this unclean spirit or simply to get this big-mouthed demon to shut up Jesus orders it into silence and drives it out of the man it inhabits.

This powerful demonstration is rather surprisingly d…