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Verse

Mark 3:11

ESV And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."
NIV Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."
NASB And whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, 'You are the Son of God!'
CSB Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God!"
NLT And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, 'You are the Son of God!'
KJV And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
NKJV And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.”

What does Mark 3:11 mean?

Mark chapter 3 describes the different reactions of people as they experience Jesus. So far, the Pharisees and Herodians have plotted to kill Him (Mark 3:6), and the common people have mobbed Him, looking for healing (Mark 3:7–10). Here, we learn about the reactions of the demons.

"Unclean" is a common word to describe something that is against the Mosaic Law, specifically against the ceremonial regulations. According to Jewish dietary law, things like pork and shellfish are unclean. Certain biological acts and diseases make people unclean until they either wash (Leviticus 11:25), complete a time of quarantine (Leviticus 11:24), and/or are healed (Leviticus 13).

An "unclean spirit," here, simply means a demon: a fallen angel. These beings are contrasted with God's angels who are clean. The unclean spirits here aren't just floating free, but are attached to people. The Bible doesn't go into too many specifics about demon possession. It appears to have been common in Christ's era, and some demons were responsible for physical or mental illnesses. Although Jesus could make the distinction between a demon and a physiological or psychological condition, He does not call us to do the same. Sometimes demon possession may be obvious. Most of the time, however, we should not expect that a demon is behind every illness.

Just as Jesus discerns demons, they know who He is. To call Him by His name seems to be a compulsion the demons can't help. In Mark 1:24, one of them calls Jesus "the Holy One of God." The people have faith that Jesus can heal them, but they don't treat Him with reverence. They push and crowd Him, trying to touch Him, to the point where He has to arrange for a boat in case things get dangerous (Mark 3:9). The demons, however, fall down before Him, acknowledging His identity and authority. They do not follow Him (James 2:19), but knowing who He is, they have no choice but to worship and fear Him. This same fear keeps Christ-followers safe from demon possession.
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