MSB MARK Chapter 1

The Mission of John the Baptist

(Isaiah 40:1–5, Matthew 3:1–17, Luke 3:1–22, John 1:19–34)

[This is the] beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, [the] Son of God.[fn] 2 As it is written in the prophets:[fn]

“Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You

who will prepare Your way before You.”[fn]

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for [the] Lord,

make straight paths for Him.’ ”[fn]

John came baptizing[fn] in the wilderness, preaching [a] baptism of repentance for [the] forgiveness of sins. 5 [People] went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, {they were} all baptized[fn] by him in the Jordan River.

John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 7 And he proclaimed“After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down [and] untie. 8 I indeed[fn] baptize you with water,[fn] but He will baptize you with [the] Holy Spirit.[fn]”

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 vvv As soon [as Jesus] came up out of the water, He saw[fn] the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven:“You are My beloved Son, in whom[fn] I am well pleased.”

The Temptation and Preaching of Jesus

(Matthew 4:1–17, Luke 4:1–15)

At once the Spirit drove [Jesus] into the wilderness, 13 and He was there[fn] in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.

After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee [and] proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom[fn] of God. 15 “The time is fulfilled,” He said,“and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”

The First Disciples

(Matthew 4:18–22, Luke 5:1–11, John 1:35–42)

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. 17 “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said“and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 And at once they left their nets [and] followed Him.

Going on a little [farther] from there,[fn] He saw James [son] of Zebedee and his brother John. They [were] in a boat, mending [their] nets. 20 Immediately [Jesus] called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men [and] followed Him.

Jesus Expels an Unclean Spirit

(Luke 4:31–37)

Then [Jesus and His companions] went to Capernaum, and right away [Jesus] entered the synagogue on the Sabbath [and] began to teach. 22 [The people] were astonished at His teaching, because vvv He taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Now[fn] a man with an unclean spirit cried out in the synagogue: 24 “Let [us] alone![fn] 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!”

But Jesus rebuked [the spirit].“Be silent!” He said. Come out of him!” 26 At this, the unclean spirit threw [the man] into convulsions [and] came out vvv with a loud shriek

All [the people] were amazed [and] began to ask vvv one another“What is this? What new teaching [is] this that with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him?[fn]” 28 And the news about [Jesus] spread quickly through the whole region of Galilee.

Jesus Heals at Peter’s House

(Matthew 8:14–17, Luke 4:38–41)

As soon as [Jesus and His companions] had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and they promptly told [Jesus] about her. 31 So He went to [her], took her [by the] hand, and helped her up Immediately[fn] the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening after sunset [people] brought to [Jesus] all the vvv sick and demon-possessed, 33 and the whole town vvv gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases and drove out many demons. But vvv He would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.[fn]

Jesus Prays and Preaches

(Luke 4:42–44)

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] got up [and] went out to a solitary place to pray. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for Him, 37 and when they found Him, they said“Everyone is looking for You!”

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.” 39 [So] He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

The Leper’s Prayer

(Leviticus 14:1–32, Matthew 8:1–4, Luke 5:12–16)

Then a leper[fn] came to [Jesus], begging and kneeling before Him[fn] and saying to Him:“If You are willing, You can make me clean

Moved with compassion,[fn] Jesus reached out His hand [and] touched [the man].“I am willing,” He said“Be clean!” 42 And when He had said this,[fn] immediately the leprosy left him, and [the man] was cleansed.

vvv [Jesus] promptly sent him away with a stern warning 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.”[fn]

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.