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These verses, too, are programmatic for Mark’s gospel, for they show that the Good News involves authority over demonic forces and physical ailments. The kingdom Jesus preaches is God’s redemptive power at work in the present. Moreover, as elsewhere in the gospel, here the question of Jesus' identity is raised—by the people, who do not know who he is; and by evil spirits, who do. Jesus silences the demons; he is not after mere acclamation, but repentance and faith. Notice that no human recognizes Jesus' true significance here nor elsewhere until his crucifixion.