Demonic activity in first century as messianic confirmation and spiritual battleground

Two interlocking explanations: (1) Jesus's exorcisms were messianic identity confirmation — the crowds' response in the early chapters of Mark shows that power over demons was read as proof of messianic authority. (2) Satan's forces mobilized against Jesus just as opposing armies converge on the same battleground. The demons acknowledged Jesus but did not understand his plan. This is especially prominent in Mark's Gospel, which Mike is preaching through, where early chapters use Jesus's victory over demons as a loud megaphone for his identity.