Mark 1
The Messiah’s Herald
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.23As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.45A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight!6
7John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.89The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.1011John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.12
13He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals.1415I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”16
The Baptism of Jesus
17In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.1819As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.2021And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”22The Temptation of Jesus
23Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness.2425He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him.26Ministry in Galilee
27After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God:2829“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”30The First Disciples
31As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen.3233“Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”3435Immediately they left their nets and followed him.3637Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order.3839Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.40Driving Out an Unclean Spirit
41They went into Capernaum, and right away he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.4243They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.4445Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out,4647“What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!”48
49Jesus rebuked him saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”5051And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.52
53They were all amazed, and so they began to ask each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”5455At once the news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.56
Healings at Capernaum
57As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John.5859Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once.6061So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.6263When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick and demon-possessed.6465The whole town was assembled at the door,6667and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.68
Preaching in Galilee
69Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.7071Simon and his companions searched for him,7273and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”7475And he said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.”76