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

MARK 1:21KJV
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Mark 1:21 (KJV)

What does Mark 1:21 mean?

Mark 1:21 describes Jesus and his followers going into the town of Capernaum, where, on the Sabbath day, Jesus immediately enters the synagogue and begins to teach. The verse highlights Jesus’ active role as a teacher in the Jewish place of worship on the day set aside for rest and religious gathering.

In this scene, Mark is narrating the early part of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus, accompanied by his disciples, arrives in Capernaum—a significant town on the Sea of Galilee. The synagogue was the center of Jewish community life, especially on the Sabbath (the weekly day of rest), and Jesus’ teaching there marks the start of his public ministry and authority in front of the people.

The Greek behind Mark 1:21

  • εὐθέως (eutheōs, "straightway"): This word means "immediately" or "right away," emphasizing the promptness and purposefulness of Jesus’ actions. Mark often uses this word to show the urgency and momentum in Jesus’ ministry.
  • διδάσκειν (didaskō, "taught"): This verb means "to teach" or "to instruct." The use of this word underlines that Jesus is not just present in the synagogue but is actively taking the role of a teacher, which was a position of respect and authority in Jewish society.
  • συναγωγή (synagōgē, "synagogue"): This word refers to the gathering place for Jewish worship and teaching. Mentioning the synagogue highlights that Jesus is engaging with the community in their central place of learning and worship.

Why Mark 1:21 matters

  • Mark 1:21 shows Jesus stepping into a public and respected role right at the start of his ministry, setting the stage for the authority and impact of his teaching.
  • The verse connects Jesus’ actions to Jewish tradition by showing him teaching on the Sabbath in the synagogue, grounding his ministry in the life of the Jewish people.
  • This verse begins a sequence where Jesus’ authority will be contrasted with that of other teachers, leading to reactions from those who hear him and setting up key themes in Mark’s Gospel.

Where else these words appear

“Capernaum” Greek G2584 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
  • Mark 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
  • John 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

“went” Greek G1531 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
  • Mark 7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
  • Luke 19:30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.

“synagogue” Greek G4864 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 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.
  • Luke 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

“day” Greek G4521 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
  • Luke 4:31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
  • John 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.