Mark 1

Jesus Is Introduced (1:1–8)

1 The Beginning of the Good News of Jesus, the Anointed One, Son of God

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
     “See! I send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way.
    3 A voice shouting in the desert:
    ‘Make ready the way of the Lord—
    straighten his paths.’”

4 John appeared, baptizing in the desert, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the Judean region and all those of Jerusalem were going out to him; all were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they were confessing their sins. 6 And John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and he was eating grasshoppers and wild honey. 7 And he proclaimed, saying, “One who is more powerful than I comes following me, of whom I am not worthy to stoop to untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus Is Baptized (1:9–15)

9 And it happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 And immediately as he was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit as a dove coming down into him. 11 And a voice out of heaven: “You are my beloved son in whom I take joy.” 12 And immediately the Spirit drives him into the desert. 13 And he was in the desert for forty days, being tested by Satan, and he was with the animals, and the angels were serving him. 14 But after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 And saying, “The time is filled, and the reign of God has drawn near. Change your life and trust the good news.”

Jesus Calls Disciples (1:16–20)

16 And walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew—the brother of Simon—casting a net in the sea, for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Come follow me and I will make you into fishers of people.” 18 And immediately, having left their nets, they followed him. 19 And having gone on a little, he saw Jacob, Zebedee’s son, and his brother John. And they were in a boat preparing the nets. 20 And immediately he invited them. And having left their father Zebedee in the boat with the laborers, they followed him.

Jesus Exorcises a Demon (1:21–28)

21 And they went into Capernaum. And immediately on the Sabbath he taught in the synagogue. 22 And they were amazed at his teaching, for he was teaching as one having power/authority and not like the scriptorians. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he exclaimed, 24 saying, “Mind your own business, Jesus of Nazareth! Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: God’s Holy One!” 25 And Jesus stopped him, saying, “Silence! And come out of him.” 26 And convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, the unclean spirit came out of him. 27 And all were astonished, so they questioned, saying, “What is this new teaching with power/authority? And he even commands the unclean spirits and they obey him.” 28 And immediately news about him went out everywhere, in all the region of Galilee.

Jesus Performs Many Miracles (1:29–39)

29 And immediately, having come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew with Jacob and John. 30 But Simon’s mother-in-law was lying down sick with a fever, and immediately they speak to him about her. 31 And having come to her, he raised her up, having grasped her hand. And the fever left her, and she ministered to them.

32 When it was evening, after sunset, they kept bringing to him all who were sick and who were demon-possessed. 33 And all the city was gathered at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But he did not allow the demons to speak because they knew him.

35 And very early, having risen up while it was still night, he went out and departed into a deserted place and was praying there. 36 And Simon and those with him searched for him. 37 And having found him, they say to him, “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 And he says to them, “Let’s go somewhere else, into the nearby villages, that I might proclaim there also, because this is why I came.” 39 And he went proclaiming in their synagogues in all of Galilee and casting out demons.

Jesus Heals a Leper (1:40–45)

40 And a leper comes to him, begging and kneeling and saying to him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 And having become angry, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and he says to him, “I am willing. Be made clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was clean. 43 And having sternly warned him, he immediately drove him away. 44 And he says to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer, because of your cleaning, what Moses commanded for a testimony to them.” 45 And having gone out, he began to preach much and to spread the word, so that he was no longer able to enter a town openly, but he was out in deserted places and they were coming to him from everywhere.