for Jesus was saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of this man.”
The Evangelist explains that the reason for the demons’ outcry was Christ’s direct command. His word is short, plain, and authoritative. He does not resort to magical gestures or lengthy rites. He simply commands, because by His very nature He has the authority to which every creature is subject. This shows Christ’s divine dignity, because He acts not as a prophet who asks power from another, but as the Lord, who orders by His word. The phrase “Unclean spirit, come out of this man” also has great spiritual depth. Christ distinguishes between the man and the evil spirit ruling over him. He does not identify them as the same. This is a great comfort, because it shows that a person, however fallen, is still the one whom Christ can free from his bonds.