Single lesson
Jesus Frees a Man in the Synagogue
Mark 1:21–28; Luke 4:31–37
Jesus teaches in the synagogue at Capernaum, and the people notice at once that his words carry authority. Then a man with an unclean spirit cries out, and Jesus shows that his authority is seen in both what he says and what happens next.
Before you teach
Both Mark and Luke place this account in Capernaum on the Sabbath, in the synagogue, while Jesus is teaching. The people are already astonished at his teaching before the man cries out. After Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit and commands it to come out, the crowd responds with amazement and the news spreads through the surrounding region.
Students will be able to retell the passage in order, identify key choices and outcomes in the text, and explain that Jesus teaches with authority and that unclean spirits obey him.
Welcome: notice where, when, and the first response
5 minBegin by locating the setting together. Jesus entered the synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbath and taught there. Ask children to listen for where the story happens, what Jesus is doing first, and how the people respond before the man cries out. They are astonished at his teaching and notice his authority straight away.
Mark 1:21, Mark 1:22, Luke 4:31, Luke 4:32
Read and explain: authority in Jesus’ teaching
6 minRead the account aloud from one Gospel, then compare the matching verses in the other. Explain that the people were astonished because Jesus taught with authority. In this passage, authority is seen in the effect of his word. The crowd hears that his teaching is different and weighty.
Mark 1:22, Luke 4:32
Discuss: choices and outcomes in the middle of the story
7 minWalk through the actions clearly. Jesus taught. The unclean spirit cried out and spoke. Jesus rebuked it, told it to be silent, and commanded it to come out. The spirit came out. In Luke, it came out having done the man no harm. Ask children to name each action and its outcome from the verses.
Mark 1:21, Mark 1:23, Mark 1:24, Mark 1:25, Mark 1:26, Luke 4:33, Luke 4:34, Luke 4:35
Make and respond: sequence the story with the crowd’s amazement
8 minChildren work together to place story cards in order: Jesus teaches, people are astonished at his teaching, the man cries out, Jesus commands, the spirit comes out, people are amazed and question one another, news spreads. As they order the cards, ask them to match each step to words in the passage.
Mark 1:21, Mark 1:22, Mark 1:23, Mark 1:25, Mark 1:26, Mark 1:27, Mark 1:28, Luke 4:36
Closing: what did the people learn about Jesus?
4 minFinish by drawing the class back to the crowd’s words. They speak about Jesus’ authority and power because even the unclean spirits obey him. Invite each child to say one true thing they learned about Jesus from this account, then finish with a short optional prayer.
Mark 1:27, Luke 4:36, Luke 4:37
Questions to explore
What were the people already noticing about Jesus before the man cried out?
Look at the crowd’s first reaction to his teaching and the repeated statement that his word was with authority.
Mark 1:22, Luke 4:32
Which actions and outcomes can you trace in order through the story?
Start with Jesus teaching, then notice the spirit crying out, Jesus rebuking and commanding, the spirit coming out, and the people responding with amazement and spreading the news.
Mark 1:21, Mark 1:23, Mark 1:25, Mark 1:26, Mark 1:27, Mark 1:28, Luke 4:35, Luke 4:36, Luke 4:37
What did Jesus actually say to the unclean spirit, and what happened after that?
Read the command carefully and then read the next verse to see the result.
Mark 1:25, Mark 1:26, Luke 4:35
Make, think or respond
Story Sequence Cards: Authority in the Synagogue
What you’ll need
- Plain paper or scrap card
- Pencils or markers
- Bible
- Scissors
- Tape or blu-tack
Try it together
- Write or draw seven simple cards: Jesus teaches, people are astonished, man cries out, Jesus commands, spirit comes out, people are amazed and question one another, news spreads.
- Mix the cards and let children work in pairs or small groups to put them in order.
- Read the matching verses aloud as children check and adjust their sequence.
- Tape the cards in order on a wall or table and retell the story together using Bible words where possible.
This activity helps children follow the order of the passage and notice both the actions and the outcomes, including the crowd’s amazement and the spreading news.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, use fewer cards with simple pictures and have the leader read each verse aloud before they choose the next card.
- For older or more confident children, include both Mark and Luke references on the cards and ask them to match each step with one verse from each Gospel.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: “Lord Jesus, thank you that this passage shows your authority in teaching and in action. Please help us listen carefully to what is true about you. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Mark 1
21 They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.
22 They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,
24 saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God!”
25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
26 The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
27 They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What can this new doctrine be? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!”
28 The report of him went out immediately into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.
Luke 4
31 He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. He was teaching them on the Sabbath day,
32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.
33 In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice,
34 saying, “Ah! what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God!”
35 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down in the middle of them, he came out of him, having done him no harm.
36 Amazement came on all and they spoke together, one with another, saying, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”
37 News about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.