Mark 1

The Preaching of John the Baptist

1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus 1Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in the 2Prophets,

“Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of yoʋ,

who will prepare yoʋr way 3before yoʋ,

3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord;

make his paths straight,’ ”

4John 4came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5The whole Judean countryside was going out to him, and so were 5the people of Jerusalem. They were all being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist; he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “After me comes one who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you 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. 10Immediately as he was coming up 6from the water, he saw the heavens being split apart and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11Then a voice came from heaven: “Yoʋ are my beloved 7Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

The Temptation of Jesus

12Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness, 13and he was 8there in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

Jesus Begins His Ministry

14After John was put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the gospel 9of the kingdom of God 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near. Repent and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

16As Jesus was 10walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew 11his brother (that is, Simon's brother) casting a net in the sea, for they were fishermen. 17Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18So they immediately left their nets and followed him. 19Going on a little farther 12from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother as they were in the boat mending their nets. 20Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit

21They went to Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath Jesus 13went into 14the synagogue and began teaching. 22The people were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 2315Now in their synagogue there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit. He cried out, 24“16Leave us alone! What do yoʋ have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have yoʋ come to destroy us? I know who yoʋ are—the Holy One of God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26So the unclean spirit convulsed the man and came out of him, crying out with a loud voice. 27All the people were amazed so that they questioned 17among themselves, saying, “What is this? 18What new teaching is this that with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him?” 28And the news about him immediately 19spread throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Jesus Heals Many

29After leaving the synagogue, they immediately went with James and John to the house of Simon and Andrew. 30Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31So he went over to her and raised her up, taking hold of her hand. 20Immediately the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to Jesus all who were sick and those who were possessed by demons. 33The whole city was gathered together at the door, 34and he healed many who were sick with various diseases. He also cast out many demons, but he would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew 21who he was.

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

35Early the next morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus rose and departed. He went off to a desolate place and prayed there. 3622Simon and his companions searched diligently for him, 37and when they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is looking for yoʋ.” 38Jesus said to them, “Let us 23go into the neighboring towns so that I may preach there also, for that is why I have come.” 39So he 24was preaching in their synagogues in all of Galilee and casting out demons.

Jesus Cleanses a Man with Leprosy

40Then a leper came up and 25knelt before him, begging him, “If yoʋ are willing, yoʋ can make me clean.” 4126Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched the man, and said to him, “I am willing; be made clean.” 4227When he said this, the leprosy immediately departed from the man, and he was made clean. 43Then Jesus sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 44saying to him, “Be sure not to say anything to anyone, but go show yoʋrself to the priest and offer for yoʋr cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45But the man went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places. Yet people were coming to him from everywhere.