Mark1
New American Standard
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
2just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending My messenger before You, Who will prepare Your way;
3The voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’”
4John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
6John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.
7And he was preaching, saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to bend down and untie the straps of His sandals.
8I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
10And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him;
11and a voice came from the heavens: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
12And immediately the Spirit brought Him out into the wilderness.
13And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving Him.
14Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,
15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the gospel.”
16As He was going along the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.
17And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will have you become fishers of people.”
18Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
19And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, who were also in the boat mending the nets.
20Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and went away to follow Him.
21They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and began to teach.
22And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24saying, “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!”
25And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
26After throwing him into convulsions and crying out with a loud voice, the unclean spirit came out of him.
27And they were all amazed, so they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
28Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding region of Galilee.
29And immediately after they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and they immediately spoke to Jesus about her.
31And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she served them.
32Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed.
33And the whole city had gathered at the door.
34And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
35And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time.
36Simon and his companions eagerly searched for Him;
37and they found Him and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
38He said to them, “Let’s go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may also preach there; for this is why I came.”
39And He went into their synagogues preaching throughout Galilee, and casting out the demons.
40And a man with leprosy came to Jesus, imploring Him and kneeling down, and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
41Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
42And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
43And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away,
44and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
45But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The office of John the Baptist. (1–8). The baptism and temptation of Christ. (9–13). Christ preaches and calls disciples. (14–22). He casts out an unclean spirit. (23–28). He heals many diseased. (29–39). He heals a leper. (40–45).
vv1-8
Isaiah and Malachi each spake concerning the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the ministry of John. From these prophets we may observe, that Christ, in his gospel, comes among us, bringing with him a treasure of grace, and a sceptre of government. Such is the corruption of the world, that there is great opposition to his progress. When God sent his Son into the world, he took care, and when he sends him into the heart, he takes care, to prepare his way before him. John thinks himself unworthy of the meanest office about Christ. The most eminent saints have always been the most humble. They feel their need of Christ's atoning blood and sanctifying Spirit, more than others. The great promise Christ makes in his gospel to those who have repented, and have had their sins forgiven them, is, they shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost; shall be purified by his graces, and refreshed by his comforts. We use the ordinances, word, and sacraments without profit and comfort, for the most part, because we have not of that Divine light within us; and we have it not because we ask it not; for we have his word that cannot fail, that our heavenly Father will give this light, his Holy Spirit, to those that ask it.
vv9-13
Christ's baptism was his first public appearance, after he had long lived unknown. How much hidden worth is there, which in this world is not known! But sooner or later it shall be known, as Christ was. He took upon himself the likeness of sinful flesh; and thus, for our sakes, he sanctified himself, that we also might be sanctified, and be baptized with him, Joh 17:19. See how honourably God owned him, when he submitted to John's baptism. He saw the Spirit descending upon him like a dove. We may see heaven opened to us, when we perceive the Spirit descending and working upon us. God's good work in us, is sure evidence of his good will towards us, and preparations for us. As to Christ's temptation, Mark notices his being in the wilderness and that he was with the wild beasts. It was an instance of his Father's care of him, which encouraged him the more that his Father would provide for him. Special protections are earnests of seasonable supplies. The serpent tempted the first Adam in the garden, the Second Adam in the wilderness; with different success indeed; and ever since he still tempts the children of both, in all places and conditions. Company and conversation have their temptations; and being alone, even in a wilderness, has its own also. No place or state exempts, no business, not lawful labouring, eating, or drinking, not even fasting and praying; often in these duties there are the most assaults, but in them is the sweetest victory. The ministration of the good angels is matter of great comfort in reference to the malignant designs of the evil angels; but much more does it comfort us, to have the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
vv14-22
Jesus began to preach in Galilee, after that John was put in prison. If some be laid aside, others shall be raised up, to carry on the same work. Observe the great truths Christ preached. By repentance we give glory to our Creator whom we have offended; by faith we give glory to our Redeemer who came to save us from our sins. Christ has joined these two together, and let no man think to put them asunder. Christ puts honour upon those who, though mean in this world, are diligent in their business and kind to one another. Industry and unity are good and pleasant, and the Lord Jesus commands a blessing on them. Those whom Christ calls, must leave all to follow him; and by his grace he makes them willing to do so. Not that we must needs go out of the world, but we must sit loose to the world; forsake every thing that is against our duty to Christ, and that cannot be kept without hurt to our souls. Jesus strictly kept the sabbath day, by applying himself unto, and abounding in the sabbath work, in order to which the sabbath rest was appointed. There is much in the doctrine of Christ that is astonishing; and the more we hear it, the more cause we see to admire it.
Key Words
ἀρχή (archḗ): (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion): a good message, i.e. the gospel
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
υἱός (huiós): a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
ὡς (hōs): which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
γράφω (gráphō): to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
προφήτης (prophḗtēs): a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
Cross References
Mark 1Directly quoted as 'it is written in the prophets' regarding the messenger preparing the way.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Directly quoted as the voice of one crying in the wilderness preparing the Lord's way.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ's explicit application of the Malachi 3:1 messenger prophecy to John the Baptist.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Matthew's parallel application of the Isaiah 40:3 prophecy to John the Baptist.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
John's camel's hair clothing and leather girdle directly echo the garb of Elijah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Matthew's parallel description of John's distinctive ascetic clothing and wilderness diet.
Supported by JFB
Luke's close parallel recording Jesus entering Capernaum and teaching on the Sabbath.
Supported by JFB
Matthew's identical observation that Jesus taught with authority, unlike the scribes.
Supported by JFB
Parallel demoniac confession: 'What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth?'
Supported by Matthew Henry
Matthew's parallel account of Jesus entering Peter's house and healing his mother-in-law.
Supported by JFB
Matthew's detailed, parallel account of Jesus' forty-day wilderness temptation by Satan.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Matthew's parallel account of the call of Simon, Andrew, James, and John.
Supported by JFB
The Mosaic law governing the ritual cleansing and priestly inspection of a healed leper.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Messianic title 'Holy One' used by the demon echoes this Davidic prophecy.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's later historical corroboration that Peter (Cephas) was indeed married.
Supported by Matthew Henry