Mark 1

1:1

This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

1:2

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.”

1:3

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”

1:4

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

1:5

People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

1:6

John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

1:7

And he began to proclaim: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.

1:8

I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

1:9

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

1:10

As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.

1:11

And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

1:12

At once the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness,

1:13

and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.

1:14

After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God.

1:15

“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”

1:16

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

1:17

“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

1:18

And at once they left their nets and followed Him.

1:19

Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets.

1:20

Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.

1:21

Then Jesus and His companions went to Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.

1:22

The people were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

1:23

Suddenly a man with an unclean spirit cried out in the synagogue:

1:24

“What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

1:25

But Jesus rebuked the spirit. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!”

1:26

At this, the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and came out with a loud shriek.

1:27

All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!”

1:28

And the news about Jesus spread quickly through the whole region of Galilee.

1:29

As soon as Jesus and His companions had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.

1:30

Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and they promptly told Jesus about her.

1:31

So He went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.

1:32

That evening, after sunset, people brought to Jesus all who were sick and demon-possessed,

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and the whole town gathered at the door.

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And He healed many who were ill with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

1:35

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray.

1:36

Simon and his companions went to look for Him,

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and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!”

1:38

But Jesus answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.”

1:39

So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

1:40

Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

1:41

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!”

1:42

And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed.

1:43

Jesus promptly sent him away with a stern warning:

1:44

“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

1:45

But the man went out and openly began to proclaim and spread the news. Consequently, Jesus could no longer enter a town in plain view, but He stayed out in solitary places. Yet people came to Him from every quarter.