Mark 1

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 thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized 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 preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

And immediately the Spirit driveth 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 unto him.

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe 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.

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into 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 thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, 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 commandeth 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 unto them.

And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

And all the city was gathered together at the door.

And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils 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 unto him, All men seek for thee.

And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

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 saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto 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.

What does Mark 1:42 mean?

Explanation

Mark 1:42 presents a miraculous healing performed by Jesus.

The verse falls within a passage where a man with leprosy comes to Jesus, beseeching Him and kneeling down to Him saying, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus stretches out His hand, touches him, and says, "I will; be thou clean." The immediate healing from the leprosy signifies not only a physical cleansing but also a restoration of the man's social and religious standing in the community, as leprosy rendered individuals unclean and isolated according to Jewish Law.

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Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, leprosy was a term used for a variety of skin conditions but especially referred to a condition known as Hansen's disease today.

It was highly stigmatized, and the Mosaic Law provided strict guidelines regarding the treatment of leprosy (Leviticus 13-14).

People with leprosy were considered ritually unclean and were required to live away from the community.

Jesus' act of healing the leper in Mark 1:42 challenges these social stigmas, as He touches the man, something that was considered taboo.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is rich in meaning. It demonstrates that Jesus possesses the authority to cleanse and heal, indicating His divinity. The immediacy of the healing reinforces the power of Jesus' spoken word.

Moreover, it illustrates Jesus' willingness to reach out to the marginalized and demonstrates the inclusivity of His ministry. In Christian theology, this also points to the greater cleansing from sin that Jesus offers humanity.

Practical Applications

The account of Jesus healing the leper encourages individuals to approach Jesus for spiritual healing with faith and humility, just as the leper approached Jesus with hope for physical healing.

It also emphasizes the importance of compassion and reaching out to those who are marginalized or considered outcasts in society.

Cross-References

Matthew 8:3: "And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean.

And immediately his leprosy was cleansed."

Luke 5:13: "And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean.

And immediately the leprosy departed from him."

Leviticus 14:1-32: The Law of Moses regarding the cleansing of a leper and his re-introduction into the community after healing.

Language Study

The key phrase in Mark 1:42 is "immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed". In the original Greek, "eutheōs" (εὐθέως) is used for "immediately," implying that there was no delay between Jesus' command and the healing.

"Leprosy departed" uses the Greek word "lepra" (λέπρα) for leprosy, a term often associated with a variety of skin diseases.

"He was cleansed" employs the Greek "ekatharisthē" (ἐκαθαρίσθη), indicating a purification or making clean, with connotations of ritual and moral restoration.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this biblical account to other ancient cultures, leprosy, or similar skin diseases, were often regarded as divine punishment or impurity.

Unlike some traditions where the afflicted were permanently outcast, the Law of Moses provided for the potential cleansing and return to the community.

In the healing narratives of other religions, physical healings may signify favor of the gods or spiritual enlightenment.

The Christian narrative is unique in its emphasis on Jesus' compassion and authority over disease.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific viewpoint, leprosy known today as Hansen's disease, is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae.

Modern medicine understands that it is curable with multidrug therapy and not as highly contagious as once thought.

The immediate healing described in Mark 1:42, however, does not conform to the known medical understanding of the disease and is thus considered a miracle.

Commentaries

Various commentaries focus on the physical and symbolic aspects of the healing.

Many agree that Jesus' touch signifies a breaking of cultural barriers and an act of compassion.

Matthew Henry's commentary notes the grace and readiness of Christ to help those in need.

John Calvin emphasizes the significance of Jesus' touch as an act of defying the laws of uncleanness to show that His purity overcomes all impurities.

Similarly, the expository notes of Dr.

Thomas Constable highlight the miracle as evidence of Jesus' messianic authority and compassion for the socially outcasts.

Mark 1

Mark 1

What does Mark 1:42 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 1:42 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?