Mark 1:1-45, NLT
Mark 1
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.*1:1 Some manuscripts do not include the Son of God. It began
“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way.*1:2 Mal 3:1.
3He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!’*1:3 Isa 40:3 (Greek version).”
4This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
7John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.
The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
9One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.
12The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness,
14Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News.*1:14 Some manuscripts read the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
The First Disciples
16One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon*1:16 Simon is called “Peter” in 3:16 and thereafter. and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.
19A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets.
Jesus Casts Out an Evil Spirit
21Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach.
23Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil*1:23 Greek unclean; also in 1:26, 27. spirit cried out,
25But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered.
27Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!”
Jesus Heals Many People
29After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home.
32That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus.
Jesus Preaches in Galilee
35Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
38But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.”
Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy
40A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.
41Moved with compassion,*1:41 Some manuscripts read Moved with anger. Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”
45But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.