Mark
Summary
Mark begins his fast-paced Gospel by introducing Jesus as the "Son of God" and the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy regarding a "messenger" who would prepare the way for the LORD. The narrative transitions quickly from John the Baptist’s ministry of repentance to the baptism of Jesus: where the Father’s voice and the Spirit’s descent definitively confirm His divine identity. Following a brief account of the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus emerges in Galilee preaching the arrival of the Kingdom of God and calling His first disciples (Peter, Andrew, James, and John) to become "fishers of men." The chapter meticulously documents Jesus’s authoritative ministry in Capernaum: as He demonstrates His power over demonic spirits and heals many of various diseases: including a leper whose cleansing serves as a testimony of Jesus’s compassion and divine priority for the marginalized.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the Prophets: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You."
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight."
John did baptise in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
And there went out to him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptised of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
And John preached, saying, "There comes one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose."
"I indeed baptised you with water, but He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit."
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptised of John in Jordan.
And immediately coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Now 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.
Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."
They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
And immediately he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Saying, "Let us alone; what have we to do with you, you Jesus of Nazareth? are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God."
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commands he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him."
And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered to them.
And at even, when the sun did set, they brought to him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with demons.
And all the city was gathered together at the door.
And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many demons; and suffered not the demons to speak, because they knew him.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
And when they had found him, they said to him, "All men seek for you."
But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out demons.
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him, "If you will, you can make me clean."
Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."
And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
And says to him, "See you say nothing to any man: but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."
But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.