Mark 1
1
John the Baptizer
1-3The good news of Jesus Christ—the Message!—begins here, following to the letter the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
Watch closely: I’m sending my preacher ahead of you;
He’ll make the road smooth for you.
Thunder in the desert!
Prepare for God’s arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
4-6John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.
7-8As he preached he said, “The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will change your life. I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out.”
9-11At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.”
God’s Kingdom Is Here
12-13At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him.
14-15After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”
16-18Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.
19-20A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.
Confident Teaching
21-22Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars.
23-24Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, “What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!”
25-26Jesus shut him up: “Quiet! Get out of him!” The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and got out.
27-28Everyone there was spellbound, buzzing with curiosity. “What’s going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and tells them to get lost!” News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee.
29-31Directly on leaving the meeting place, they came to Simon and Andrew’s house, accompanied by James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed, burning up with fever. They told Jesus. He went to her, took her hand, and raised her up. No sooner had the fever left than she was up fixing dinner for them.
32-34That evening, after the sun was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, the whole city lined up at his door! He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits. Because the demons knew his true identity, he didn’t let them say a word.
The Leper
35-37While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. Simon and those with him went looking for him. They found him and said, “Everybody’s looking for you.”
38-39Jesus said, “Let’s go to the rest of the villages so I can preach there also. This is why I’ve come.” He went to their meeting places all through Galilee, preaching and throwing out the demons.
40A leper came to him, begging on his knees, “If you want to, you can cleanse me.”
41-45Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there the leprosy was gone, his skin smooth and healthy. Jesus dismissed him with strict orders: “Say nothing to anyone. Take the offering for cleansing that Moses prescribed and present yourself to the priest. This will validate your healing to the people.” But as soon as the man was out of earshot, he told everyone he met what had happened, spreading the news all over town. So Jesus kept to out-of-the-way places, no longer able to move freely in and out of the city. But people found him, and came from all over.
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Mark 1: MSG
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THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.
Mark 1
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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