And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

MARK 1:26KJV
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Mark 1:26 (KJV)

What does Mark 1:26 mean?

Mark 1:26 describes how, after Jesus commanded an unclean spirit to leave a man, the spirit violently shook the man, screamed loudly, and then left him. The verse shows the dramatic and forceful way the unclean spirit responded to Jesus’ authority before finally departing.

In this scene, Jesus is in a synagogue, speaking to the people, when he confronts a man possessed by an "unclean spirit." The spirit’s reaction—shaking the man and crying out—demonstrates both its resistance and its inability to withstand Jesus’ command. The event highlights Jesus’ power over spiritual forces and sets the tone for the rest of Mark’s account of his ministry.

The Greek behind Mark 1:26

  • "Torn" (σπαράξαν, sparaxan): This Greek word means to convulse or shake violently. It suggests that the man experienced a physical reaction as the spirit left, emphasizing the struggle and the spirit’s reluctance to go.
  • "Cried" (φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, phōnē megalē): The phrase means "with a loud voice." The spirit’s loud cry underlines the dramatic nature of the exorcism and the spirit’s distress at being forced out.
  • "Unclean" (ἀκάθαρτον, akatharton): This word means ritually or morally impure. It marks the spirit as something opposed to God’s holiness, explaining why its presence was so troubling in a place of worship.

Why Mark 1:26 matters

  • Mark 1:26 clears up the idea that Jesus’ authority was only over people; it shows that even hostile spiritual beings could not resist his command.
  • The verse emphasizes the reality and seriousness of spiritual conflict in the world Mark describes, not just as ideas but as events witnessed by others.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by showing that Jesus’ teaching and actions were immediately powerful, surprising those who saw them and setting him apart from other teachers of the time.

Where else these words appear

“torn” Greek G4682 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 9:20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
  • Mark 9:26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
  • Luke 9:39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

“unclean” Greek G169 · used in 29 verses

  • Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
  • Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
  • Acts 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

“cried” Greek G2896 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 15:13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.
  • Acts 19:34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

“voice” Greek G5456 · used in 129 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
  • Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;