The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ, According to Mark

4 John baptizeth. 6 His apparel and meat. 9 Jesus is baptized. 12 He is tempted. 14 He preacheth the Gospel, 21 and 29 he teacheth in the Synagogues. 23 He healeth one that had a devil. 29 Peter’s mother-in-law. 32 Many diseased persons. 40 The leper.

The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God:

[a]As it is written in the [b]Prophets, (A)Behold, [c]I send my messenger [d]before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

(B)The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, is, Prepare the way of the Lord: make his paths straight.

(C)[e]John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the [f]baptism of amendment of life, for remission of sins.

And all the country of Judea, and they of Jerusalem went out unto him, and were all baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

(D)Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins: and he did eat (E)locusts and wild honey,

(F)[g]And preached, saying, A stronger than I cometh after me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to [h]stoop down, and unloose.

Truth it is, I have [i]baptized you with water: but he will baptize you with the holy Ghost.

(G)[j]And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth, a city of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

10 [k]And as soon as [l]he was come out of the water, John saw the heavens cloven in twain, and the holy Ghost descending upon him like a dove.

11 Then there was a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am [m]well pleased.

12 (H)[n]And immediately the Spirit [o]driveth him into the wilderness.

13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, and was tempted of Satan: he was also with the wild beasts, and the Angels ministered unto him.

14 (I)[p]Now after that John was committed to prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe the Gospel.

16 (J)[q]And as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers.)

17 Then Jesus said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you to be fishers of men.

18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

19 [r]And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, as they were in the ship, mending their nets.

20 And anon he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with his hired servants, and went their way after him.

21 ¶ So (K)they entered into [s]Capernaum: and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the Synagogue, and taught.

22 And they were astonied at his doctrine, (L)for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the Scribes.

23 [t]And there was in their Synagogue a man [u]in whom was an unclean spirit, and he cried out,

24 Saying, Ah, what have we to do with thee, O [v]Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee what thou art, even thou [w]holy one of God.

25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

26 And the unclean spirit [x]tare him, and cried with a loud voice, and came out of him.

27 And they were all amazed, so that they demanded [y]one of another, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for he [z]commandeth even the foul spirits with authority, and they obey him.

28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region [aa]bordering on Galilee.

29 (M)[ab]And as soon as they were come out of the Synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

30 And Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they told him of her.

31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up, and the fever forsook her by and by, and she ministered unto them.

32 And when even was come, at what time the Sun setteth, they brought to him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door.

34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases: and he cast out many devils, and [ac]suffered not the devils to say that they knew him.

35 And in the morning very early before day, Jesus arose and went out into a solitary place, and there prayed.

36 And Simon, and they that were with him, followed carefully after him.

37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

38 Then he said unto them, Let us go into the [ad]next towns, that I may preach there also: for I came out for that purpose.

39 And he preached in their Synagogues, throughout all Galilee, and cast the devils out.

40 (N)[ae]And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeled down unto him, and said to him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

41 And Jesus had compassion, and put forth his hand, and touched him, and said to him, I will: be thou clean.

42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was made clean.

43 And after he had given him a straight commandment, he sent him away forthwith,

44 [af]And said unto him, See thou say nothing to any man, but get thee hence, and show thyself to the (O)[ag]Priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimonial unto them.

45 But when he was departed, (P)he began to tell many things, and to publish the matter: so that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 1:2 John goeth before Christ, as it was forespoken by the Prophets.
  2. Mark 1:2 This is the figure Metonymy, whereby is meant the books of the Prophets, Malachi and Isaiah.
  3. Mark 1:2 The Prophet useth the present tense, when he speaketh of a thing to come, being as a sure of it, as if he saw it.
  4. Mark 1:2 A metaphor taken from the usage of kings, which used to have ushers go before them.
  5. Mark 1:4 The sum of John’s doctrine, or rather Christ’s, is remission of sins and amendment of life.
  6. Mark 1:4 The Jews used many kinds of washings: but here is spoken of a peculiar kind of washing, which hath all the parts of true baptism, amendment of life, and forgiveness of sins.
  7. Mark 1:7 John and all ministers cast their eyes upon Christ the Lord.
  8. Mark 1:7 The Evangelist his meaning was to express the condition of the basest servant.
  9. Mark 1:8 He showeth that all the force of baptism proceedeth from Christ, who baptizeth within.
  10. Mark 1:9 Christ doth consecrate our baptism in himself.
  11. Mark 1:10 The vocation of Christ from heaven, as head of the Church.
  12. Mark 1:10 John that went down into the water with Christ.
  13. Mark 1:11 See also Matt. 3:17.
  14. Mark 1:12 Christ being tempted overcometh.
  15. Mark 1:12 Here is no violent and forcible driving out meant: but the divine power claddeth Christ (who had lived until this time as a private man) with a new person, and prepareth him to the combat that was at hand, and to his ministry.
  16. Mark 1:14 After that John is taken, Christ showeth himself fully.
  17. Mark 1:16 The calling of Simon and Andrew.
  18. Mark 1:19 The calling of James and John.
  19. Mark 1:21 From the city Nazareth.
  20. Mark 1:23 He preacheth that doctrine, by which alone Satan is driven out of the world, which also he confirmeth by a miracle.
  21. Mark 1:23 Word for word, a man in an unclean spirit, that is to say, possessed with an evil spirit.
  22. Mark 1:24 He was born in Bethlehem, but through the error of the people, he was called a Nazarene, because he was brought up in Nazareth.
  23. Mark 1:24 He alludeth to that name that was written in the golden plate which the high Priest wore, Exod. 28:36.
  24. Mark 1:26 See also Mark 9:20.
  25. Mark 1:27 As men amazed.
  26. Mark 1:27 By his own authority, or as a Lord.
  27. Mark 1:28 Not only into Galilee, but also into the countries bordering upon it.
  28. Mark 1:29 By healing of divers diseases, he showeth that he hath brought true life into the world.
  29. Mark 1:34 For it belongeth not to the devils to preach the Gospel, Acts 16:18.
  30. Mark 1:38 Villages which were as cities.
  31. Mark 1:40 By healing the leprous, he showeth that he came for this cause, to wipe out the sins of the world with his touching.
  32. Mark 1:44 He witnesseth that he was not moved with ambition, but with the only desire of his Father’s glory, and love toward poor sinners.
  33. Mark 1:44 All the posterity of Aaron might judge of a leper.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way(A)

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b](B) as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”[c](C)
“a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”[d](D)

And so John the Baptist(E) appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance(F) for the forgiveness of sins.(G) The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist,(H) and he ate locusts(I) and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.(J) I baptize you with[e] water, but he will baptize you with[f] the Holy Spirit.”(K)

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus(L)(M)

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth(N) in Galilee and was baptized by John(O) in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.(P) 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son,(Q) whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”(R)

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days,(S) being tempted[g] by Satan.(T) He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Jesus Announces the Good News(U)

14 After John(V) was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee,(W) proclaiming the good news of God.(X) 15 “The time has come,”(Y) he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe(Z) the good news!”(AA)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.(AB)

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit(AC)

21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.(AD) 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.(AE) 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us,(AF) Jesus of Nazareth?(AG) Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”(AH)

25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”(AI) 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.(AJ)

27 The people were all so amazed(AK) that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region(AL) of Galilee.

Jesus Heals Many(AM)(AN)

29 As soon as they left the synagogue,(AO) they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up.(AP) The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.(AQ) 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases.(AR) He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.(AS)

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place(AT)

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.(AU) 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”(AV) 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues(AW) and driving out demons.(AX)

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy(AY)

40 A man with leprosy[h] came to him and begged him on his knees,(AZ) “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

41 Jesus was indignant.[i] He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone.(BA) But go, show yourself to the priest(BB) and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing,(BC) as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places.(BD) Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.(BE)

Footnotes

  1. Mark 1:1 Or Jesus Christ. Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean Anointed One.
  2. Mark 1:1 Some manuscripts do not have the Son of God.
  3. Mark 1:2 Mal. 3:1
  4. Mark 1:3 Isaiah 40:3
  5. Mark 1:8 Or in
  6. Mark 1:8 Or in
  7. Mark 1:13 The Greek for tempted can also mean tested.
  8. Mark 1:40 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
  9. Mark 1:41 Many manuscripts Jesus was filled with compassion