Mark 1:25: "Stop talking?"

think "SHUT UP!" fits the bill here!

 

"Be quiet" would be acceptable at Mark 1:25 in the sense that it is usually thought of being idiomatic of the cessation of verbal sounds and not a literal arresting of all possible noise making (such as clapping with hands, or stomping feet). The Greek word insinuates a 'muzzling' of the mouth.

But "Stop talking" may be to specific (implying the actual formation of words against other audible forms such as nonverbal growls, hisses, and moans). "Shut up" would also work on the idiomatic level; or perhaps a little more tempered "Silence".

 

I think the verb is referring to an action that had occurred, i.e. a done deal. Therefore either "be muzzled" or "be silenced" provides the idea that the action was done, not a command to be followed. Perhaps a better wording, would be Jesus adjudged him saying "be silenced and come out of him."

 

stop doing that, and keep on being quite....

wsa it similaiar to when He commanded the storm to cease and waters be calm?

 

Reply to Jonathan

I think we need to delve into who was taking the action to silence the demons. The imperative verb is in the passive voice, hence my understanding is Jesus was commanding the power of God to cause the demon to be silenced, and then commanding the demon rather than the power of God to come out.

Is that right?

 

If I understand the structure of verse 26, we have the demon, and not the man, crying out one last time as it is being silenced by the power of God.

In summary, Jesus was not simply verbally giving direction to the demon which the demon could choose to obey or not obey. Rather Jesus was causing the demon to be silenced and removed from the possessed man.