Mark 1

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1Here begins the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. 2Long ago it was written,

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,

to prepare your way.”

3“A messenger is calling out in the desert,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord;

make his paths straight.’ ”

4These words of the prophet Isaiah came true when John the Baptist appeared in the desert, preaching that people should seek God’s forgiveness by being baptized and turning away from their sins. 5Everyone from Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea came out to him. Admitting that they had sinned, John baptized them in the Jordan River. 6John’s clothes were made out of camel’s hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food, he ate locusts and wild honey. 7John announced, “Someone is coming after me who’s more powerful than I am. I’m not even worthy to bend down and untie his sandals. 8I’m baptizing you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus Is Baptized and Tempted

9Then Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As 10Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven opening up and the Holy Spirit coming down on him like a dove. 11A voice from heaven said to him, “You are my beloved Son. I’m very pleased with you.”

12Then the Holy Spirit sent Jesus right out into the desert. 13He was there for 40 days, and during that time Satan tempted him. There were wild animals out there, too, but they didn’t hurt Jesus. Angels came and took care of him.

Jesus Preaches the Good News

14After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, and there he preached the good news of God. 15“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near! Repent and believe the good news.”

Jesus Chooses His First Disciples

16One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. There he saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake. 17“Come and follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I’ll send you out to fish for people.” 18They left their nets right away and followed him.

19Jesus went a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John in a boat, working on their nets. 20Jesus called out to them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit

21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath day came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them with authority, not like the teachers of the law. 23Just then a man in the synagogue who was controlled by an evil spirit cried out, 24“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You’re the Holy One of God!”

25“Be quiet!” Jesus ordered the spirit. “Come out of him!” 26The evil spirit shook the man wildly and came out of him with a scream.

27All the people were amazed and asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with such authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits, and they obey him.” 28News about Jesus spread quickly all over Galilee.

Jesus Heals Many People

29Jesus left the synagogue and went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her as soon as he came in. 31He went to her, took her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32That evening after sunset the people brought Jesus everyone who was sick or controlled by demons. 33The whole town gathered at the door, and 34Jesus healed many people who had different kinds of sicknesses. He also drove out many demons, but he wouldn’t permit the demons speak, because they knew who he was.

Jesus Prays in a Quiet Place

35Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and left the house. He went to a place where he could be alone and pray. 36Simon and his friends went looking for Jesus, 37and when they found him, they told him, “Everyone is looking for you!”

38Jesus answered, “Let’s leave this place and go to the towns nearby so I can preach there too. That’s why I’ve come.” 39So he traveled all around Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Jesus Heals a Man With a Skin Disease

40A man with a skin disease came to Jesus, knelt down in front of him, and begged him, “If you’re willing, you can make me clean.”

41“I am willing,” Jesus retorted, reaching out his hand to touch the man. “Be clean!” 42Right away the disease left the man and he became clean.

43Jesus sent him away with a strong warning. 44“Don’t tell this to anyone,” he said, “but go and show yourself to the priest. Offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded to show publicly that you’ve become clean.” 45But the man went out and started spreading the news to everyone. So Jesus couldn’t enter a town openly anymore. He had to stay out in desolate places. But people still came to him from everywhere.

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Mark 1

The Preaching of John the Baptist

1The beginning of the [facts regarding the] good news of #1:1 Mark’s gospel is believed to be directed primarily to Gentile believers in Rome. Since Gentiles would not necessarily be familiar with the Jewish title Messiah, he emphasizes instead the fact that Jesus is the Son of God.Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written and forever remains in the [writings of the] prophet Isaiah:

“Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You,

Who will prepare Your way— [Mal 3:1]

3A voice of one shouting in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

# 1:3 A ruler or nobleman traveling in the wilderness would have a crew of workmen preparing and clearing the road ahead of him. In spiritual terms, John the Baptist was clearing the way for the arrival of the Messiah by preparing the hearts of his followers. Make His paths straight!’ ” [Is 40:3]

4 # 1:4 Considered the last of the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist was the son of Zecharias (Zechariah) the priest and his wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Mary, the mother of Jesus, were related (Luke 1:36), and Mary may have been with Elizabeth at the time John was born (Luke 1:56). John the Baptist is not to be confused with John the Apostle who, along with his brother James, was among the twelve disciples of Jesus. John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins [that is, requiring a change of one’s old way of thinking, turning away from sin and seeking God and His righteousness]. 5And all the country of Judea and all the people of Jerusalem were continually going out to him; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. 6John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a [wide] leather #1:6 This band (sash, girdle) was about six inches wide and had clasps or fasteners in front. It was used to carry personal items such as a dagger, money or other necessary things.band around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. [Lev 11:22; 2 Kin 1:8] 7And he was preaching, saying, “After me comes He who is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I, and I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the straps of His sandals [even as His slave]. 8As for me, I baptized you [who came to me] with water [only]; but He will baptize you [who truly repent] #1:8 The Greek here can be translated with, in, or by.with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of Jesus

9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [Matt 3:13-17; Luke 3:21, 22; John 1:32] 10#1:10 Mark uses the word “immediately” almost forty times in his gospel.Immediately coming up out of the water, he (John) saw the heavens torn open, and the #1:10 The three persons of the Godhead were present: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.Spirit like a dove descending on Him (Jesus); 11and a #1:11 See note Matt 3:17.voice came out of heaven saying: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased and delighted!” [Ps 2:7; Is 42:1]

12Immediately the [Holy] Spirit forced Him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted [to do evil] by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered continually to Him.

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

14Now after John [the Baptist] was arrested and #1:14 Cf 6:17 ff.taken into custody, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of [the kingdom of] God, 15and saying, “The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life] and believe [with a deep, abiding trust] in the good news [regarding salvation].”

16As Jesus was walking by the shore of the #1:16 A fresh water lake about 13 miles long and 7 miles wide, almost 700 feet below sea level and center of a busy fishing industry.Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon [Peter] and Simon’s brother, #1:16 One of the followers of John the Baptist (John 1:40).Andrew, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “#1:17 The concept of “follow” can represent three separate possibilities: in the early stages of His ministry, (1) walking with Him physically (literally), that is merely being in His presence regardless of personal belief or commitment; (2) accepting and identifying with the salvation He offered; and later on (3) being identified with Him by being subject to the scorn and rejection of unbelievers because of personal belief and commitment to Him.Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.” 18Immediately they left their nets and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example]. 19Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, who were also in the boat mending and cleaning the nets. 20Immediately Jesus called to them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers, and went away to follow Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].

21They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. [Luke 4:31-37] 22They were completely amazed at His teaching; because He was teaching them as one having [God-given] authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out [terribly from the depths of his throat], 24saying, “#1:24 Lit What to me and to you, originally a Hebrew idiom which does not translate well into English. The idiom is meant to inform the other person that the speaker is not aware of any obligation between them and does not wish to deal with the other person (cf 2 Sam 16:10).What business do You have with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet (muzzled, silenced), and come out of him!” 26The unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions, and screeching with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all so amazed that they debated and questioned each other, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits (demons), and they obey Him.” 28Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere throughout the district surrounding Galilee.

Healing the Crowds

29And immediately they left the synagogue and went into the house of Simon [Peter] and Andrew, accompanied by James and John. [Matt 8:14-17; Luke 4:38-41] 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they told Him about her. 31Jesus went to her, and taking her by the hand, raised her up; and the fever left her, and she began to serve them [as her guests].

32Now when evening came, after the sun had set [and the Sabbath Day had ended, in a steady stream] they were bringing to Him all who were sick and those who were under the power of demons, 33until the whole city had gathered together at the door. 34And Jesus healed many who were suffering with various diseases; and He drove out many demons, but would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him [recognizing Him as the Son of God].

35Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there. 36Simon [Peter] and his companions searched [everywhere, looking anxiously] for Him, 37and they found Him and said, “Everybody is looking for You!” 38He replied, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I may preach there also; that is why I came [from the Father].” 39So He went throughout Galilee, preaching [the gospel] in their synagogues and casting out demons.

40And a leper came to Him, begging Him and falling on his knees before Him, saying, “If You are willing, You are able to make me #1:40 Lepers were ceremonially unclean according to OT law (Lev 13:45, etc.) and were not to come into physical contact with other people. The leper’s request was the same as asking for healing.clean.” [Matt 8:2-4; Luke 5:12-14] 41Moved with compassion [for his suffering], Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42The leprosy left him immediately and he was cleansed [completely healed and restored to health]. 43And Jesus [deeply moved] admonished him sternly and sent him away immediately, 44saying to him, “See that you tell no one anything [about this]; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your purification what Moses commanded, as proof to them [that you are really healed].” [Lev 13:45; 14:2-32] 45But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news [of his healing], to such an extent that Jesus could no longer openly enter a city [where He was known], but stayed out in the unpopulated places; yet people were still coming to Him from everywhere.

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