MRK 1
1
The Preaching of John the Baptist
Matt. 3:1-12; Lk. 3:1-9, 15-17; Jn. 1:19-28
1 This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 The coming of Jesus was announced beforehand, just as it is written in the prophecy of Isaiah:
"Behold, I am sending My messenger ahead of You,
who will prepare Your way.*
3 This messenger is the voice of one calling out in the wilderness, saying,
'Prepare the way of the Lord.
Make His paths straight.'"*
4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, baptising people and preaching a baptism of repentance that symbolised turning away from sin for the forgiveness of sins.
5 All the countryside of Judea and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him in great numbers. They were being baptised by him in the Jordan River as they openly confessed their sins.
6 John was clothed with rough camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey—the simple fare of a prophet living in the wilderness.
7 John was preaching this message: "One who is far mightier and more powerful than I is coming after me. I am not even worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals—a task reserved for the lowest slave.
8 I have baptised you with water as a sign of repentance, but He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit, bringing true spiritual transformation and power."
The Baptism of Jesus
Matt. 3:1-12; Lk. 3:1-9, 15-17; Jn. 1:19-28
9 In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan River by John, identifying Himself with sinful humanity though He Himself was sinless.
10 Immediately as Jesus was coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens being torn open as God revealed Himself. He saw the Spirit descending like a dove and coming upon Him.
11 A voice spoke from heaven, declaring, "You are My Son, the beloved One in whom I take infinite delight and with whom I am well pleased."
The Temptation of Jesus
Μatt. 4:1-11; Lk. 4:1-13
12 Immediately after His baptism, the Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness for testing.
13 He remained in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted and tested by Satan. He was surrounded by wild animals, yet the angels of God were ministering to Him and attending to His needs.
The Beginning of Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Matt. 4:12-17; Lk. 4:14-15
14 After John the Baptist had been arrested and imprisoned by Herod, Jesus came into the region of Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
15 His message was: "The appointed time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near. Repent by turning from your sins and believe in this good news."
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
Matt. 4:18-22; Lk. 5:1-11
16 As Jesus was passing by alongside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a fishing net into the sea, for they earned their living as fishermen.
17 Jesus said to them, "Come, follow Me as My disciples, and I will transform you and make you into fishers of men—catching people for the kingdom of God."
18 At once, without hesitation, they left their nets and everything they knew and followed Him.
19 Going on a little farther along the shore, Jesus saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in their boat mending and repairing their fishing nets.
20 Immediately Jesus called them to follow Him. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and went away to follow Jesus.
Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit from a Man
Lk. 4:31-37
21 They entered the town of Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach the people gathered there.
22 The people were utterly amazed at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one who possessed inherent authority, not like the scribes who merely quoted other rabbis and traditions.
23 Just then, there was a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an unclean spirit. The demon cried out through him,
24 saying, "What do You have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us before the appointed time? I know who You are—You are the Holy One of God!"
25 But Jesus rebuked the demon sternly, commanding, "Be silent! Come out of him immediately!"
26 The unclean spirit threw the man into violent convulsions and cried out with a loud, terrible voice, then came out of him.
27 Everyone present was astonished, so that they began discussing among themselves, saying, "What is this? This is a new teaching backed by authority! He even commands the unclean spirits and they must obey Him!"
28 Immediately, the news and report about Jesus spread rapidly everywhere throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Jesus Heals Many People
Matt. 8:14-17; Lk. 4:38-41
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went to the house of Simon and Andrew, accompanied by James and John.
30 Simon's mother-in-law was lying in bed suffering from a fever. Immediately they told Jesus about her condition.
31 Jesus came near to her, took hold of her hand, and raised her up. The fever left her instantly, and she began to serve them, demonstrating her complete healing.
32 When evening came and the sun had set—meaning the Sabbath was over and people could travel—they began bringing to Jesus all those who were sick with various diseases and those who were demon-possessed.
33 The whole city had gathered together at the door of the house, crowding around to see Jesus.
34 Jesus healed many people who were suffering from various diseases, and He cast out many demons from those who were possessed. He would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew His true identity and He did not want testimony from evil spirits.
Jesus Preaches Throughout Galilee
Lk. 4:42-44
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark before dawn, Jesus got up, left the house, and went out to a deserted place where He could be alone. There He was praying to the Father.
36 Simon and those who were with him searched diligently for Jesus.
37 When they found Him, they said, "Everyone is looking for You! The whole town wants You to come back."
38 But Jesus said to them, "Let us go elsewhere to the neighbouring towns and villages, so that I may preach the gospel there as well. This is the purpose for which I have come out from the Father."
39 So Jesus went throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons, demonstrating the power of God's kingdom.
The Cleansing of a Leper
Matt. 8:1-4; Lk. 5:12-16
40 A man afflicted with leprosy came to Jesus, earnestly pleading with Him and falling on his knees before Him. He said, "If You are willing, You have the power to make me clean."
41 Moved with deep compassion for the man, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him—an act that would make most people ceremonially unclean. Jesus said to him, "I am willing. Be made clean."
42 Immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was made completely clean and healed.
43 Jesus sternly warned him about what to do next, then sent him away immediately with urgent instructions.
44 Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing about this to anyone along the way. But go and show yourself to the priest for examination, and offer for your cleansing the sacrifices that Moses commanded in the Law. This will serve as evidence to the priests of your healing."
45 However, the man went out and began to proclaim his healing freely and openly, spreading the account widely throughout the region. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a city publicly without being mobbed, but He had to stay outside in deserted and uninhabited places. Yet even there, people kept coming to Him from every direction.
Notes
2 Quoted from Mal. 3:1
3 Quoted from Is. 40:3
Currently Selected:
MRK 1: AFINT
Highlight
Share
Compare
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Copyright © 2026 Michael Adeyemi Adegbola. This Scripture text is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).
