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The closing passage of this larger section, begun in 1:16, summarizes Jesus' ministry in Galilee. In spite of the opposition narrated in 2:1-3:6, Jesus continues to enjoy notoriety, and people come to him from the east, north, and south—i.e., from the areas of Jewish settlement. This marks the beginning of a theme that will weave its way through the gospel: the opposition to Jesus among Jewish leaders versus his popularity with the people. Here Jesus' healing and exorcisms are at the root of his appeal, and Mark notes that the evil spirits, like God, refer to Jesus as the Son of God. Not until the Crucifixion will any human recognize this truth.