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While preaching through the Gospel of Mark recently, I came across one of those (seemingly) throwaway lines which you just know is laden with theological meaning. One such example occurs when a man in a Jewish synagogue, who is possessed by an evil spirit, says to Jesus, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (Mk. 1:24)

Demons always seem to speak better than everyone else knows. For the apostle John says this is precisely what the Lord Jesus Christ has come to do. i.e. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 Jn. 3:8b). Perhaps there is a diabolical double entendre regarding what the unclean spirit says here with the accusation being that Jesus himself is meanspirited and judgmental (contra John 10:10).

Samson and Jesus

But what is the significance of referring to Jesus as “the Holy One of God”? James Edwards makes the following fascinating insight in his commentary on Mark’s Gospel:

The title “the Holy One of God” not only recalls the divine Sonship of Jesus’ baptism (1:11), but apparently likens Jesus to Samson, the mighty vanquisher of the Philistines, who is the only other person in the Bible to be called “Holy One of God” (Judg. 16:17). There may be an added correlation between Samson’s “Nazarite” vow and the reference to Jesus from “Nazareth,” both of which stem from the same Hebrew root. Again anticipating the imagery of the “strong man” in 3:27, Jesus subdues the evil prince and his minions by the power of the kingdom of God.[1]

The link between Jesus and Samson is a compelling one. As Edwards explains, there is a clear connection with the reference to Jesus being from Nazareth and Samson having taken a Nazarite vow. What’s more, while not as clear in our English translations of the Bible, Judges 16:17 literally reads, “…A razor has not come upon my head, because I have been a Nazarite (lit. a holy one) ofGod from my mother’s womb.”

However, Jesus is obviously an infinitely greater saviour than Samson ever was. Samson’s most significant victory might have been through his sacrificial death (Judg. 16:23-30), but not only was his deliverance from Israel’s enemies short-lived, but it was also tainted due to his own moral failure.

However, Jesus’s deliverance from the Devil is not only greater than Samson’s act, but He is also the promised King who is completely without sin (See Zech. 3). Jesus only ever did what was right in the Father’s eyes. Furthermore, the salvation which Jesus secured is once and for all. As He himself explains, “…no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.” (Mk. 3:37)

What this means for us

The significance of understanding Jesus as a Samson like figure is obviously far-reaching. Samson was one of the most infamous of all the Judges who delivered God’s people from her enemies. And he did it not only via memorable displays of supernatural strength, but also at a time when Israel “had no king and everyone did as he saw fit” (Judg. 17:6; 21:25).

But just consider what was achieved through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. People from every nation are being rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the kingdom of light. Note the following passages of Scripture:

“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” Jn 12:31-32

“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col. 1:13-14

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Heb. 2:14-15

The Christian vs the Devil

Now that the strongman has been bound by the Holy One who is even stronger than Samson, followers of Jesus need no longer live in fear. While we still wrestle against the Satan’s schemes (Eph. 6:10-18; 1 Pet. 5:8) we can be confident to resist him because we know that the Devil has been defeated once and for all. It’s why James can say, “Resist the Devil and he will flee from you” (Jam. 4:7) and the apostle Paul declares, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20).

Since the strongman has been bound we can confidently anticipate people come into Jesus’ kingdom. We can “rob” him of his possessions because Satan has been dispossessed of his power. This is precisely what the Gospel of Mark goes on to describe; it’s the victory in which Jesus’ disciples share with the Holy One (Lk. 10:18).

– Mark Powell

[1] James R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark (Apollos, 2002), 57-58.