Reflections on Mark's Gospel - Mark 1:29

A Change of Scene

As mentioned earlier, the word "immediately" is characteristic of Mark's writing and can generally be ignored. Here it serves to note for us that this next event occured on the same day at the synagogue preaching and healing. It seems Mark is giving us a description of a typical day of ministry for Jesus, especially at this early phase of his ministry.

Edwards wrote:
"Mark presents the events of 1:21-28 as comprising a single day who activities are spliced together with five occurrences of ευθεως... which seasons the account with a sense of urgency."
[Edwards p.58-59]

So, Jesus and the four that he has already called, finish their time at the synagogue and head home for a rest. This was usual practice for people in that time and place, just as it is for us now.
Interestingly, they head to "the house of Simon and Andrew". We are told in Joh_1:44 that Simon and Andrew came from Bethsaida. There is no explanation, only speculation, as to why Simon Peter has a house in Capernaum rather than Bethsaida. Perhaps he and his brother moved there for business. Or perhaps they relocated there when they began to follow Jesus, who was based in Capernaum. Or perhaps they were so successful in business they maintained their house in Bethsaida while also having a house in Capernaum.

We should probably not read too much into the word used for house, οικιαν, which is in the feminine form. Although it can mean a more modest structure that the masculine term for house, the overlap in meaning between the two terms means no strong point can be made from it.

One point of interest to note is that this is an example that strengthens the hypothesis that Jesus had an inner group of followers comprising Peter, James and John, in addition to the Twelve.
Note that Jesus' activity is not limited to the synagogue. He lives his life in front of his disciples, with his disciples in fact. They see him in many situations. And he is able to demonstrate his authority over all areas of life.

Do I limit Jesus to the religious occassions? Or has he been invited into my home, into my every day circumstances?