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施洗約翰(A)

 神的兒子(有些抄本無“ 神的兒子”一句)耶穌基督福音的開始。

正如以賽亞先知的書上寫著:

“看哪,我差遣我的使者在你面前,

預備你的道路;

在曠野有呼喊者的聲音:

‘預備主的道,

修直他的路!’”

照這話,施洗的約翰在曠野出現了,傳講悔改的洗禮,使罪得赦。 猶太全地和全耶路撒冷的人,都出來到他那裡去,承認自己的罪,在約旦河裡受了他的洗。 約翰身穿駱駝毛的衣服,腰束皮帶,吃的是蝗蟲和野蜜。 他傳講說:“有一位在我以後來的,能力比我大,我就是彎腰給他解鞋帶都沒有資格。 我用水給你們施洗,他卻要用聖靈給你們施洗。”

耶穌受洗(B)

那時候耶穌從加利利的拿撒勒來,在約旦河裡受了約翰的洗。 10 他從水裡一上來,就看見天裂開了,聖靈仿佛鴿子降在他身上。 11 又有聲音從天上來說:“你是我的愛子,我喜悅你。”

耶穌受試探(C)

12 聖靈隨即催促耶穌到曠野去。 13 他在那裡四十天,受撒但的試探,和野獸在一起,有天使來服事他。

在加利利傳道(D)

14 約翰被捕以後,耶穌來到加利利,宣講 神的福音, 15 說:“時候到了, 神的國近了,你們應當悔改,相信福音。”

呼召四個門徒(E)

16 耶穌沿著加利利海邊行走,看見西門和他弟弟安得烈在海上撒網;他們是漁夫。 17 耶穌就對他們說:“來跟從我,我要使你們成為得人的漁夫。” 18 他們立刻撇下網,跟從了他。 19 耶穌稍往前走,看見西庇太的兒子雅各,和雅各的弟弟約翰,正在船上整理魚網, 20 他立即呼召他們。他們撇下父親西庇太和雇工在船上,就跟從他去了。

在迦百農趕出污靈(F)

21 他們到了迦百農,耶穌隨即在安息日進入會堂教導人。 22 大家對他的教訓都很驚奇,因為他教導他們,像一個有權柄的人,不像經學家。 23 就在那時,會堂裡有一個被污靈附著的人,喊叫起來, 24 說:“拿撒勒人耶穌,我們跟你有甚麼關係呢?你來毀滅我們嗎?我知道你是誰,你是 神的聖者。” 25 耶穌斥責他說:“住口!從他身上出來!” 26 污靈使那人抽瘋,大聲喊叫,就從他身上出來了。 27 眾人都很驚訝,於是彼此對問說:“這是怎麼一回事?是個有權能的新道理啊!他吩咐污靈,污靈竟服從了他!” 28 耶穌的名聲立刻傳遍了加利利一帶。

治病趕鬼(G)

29 他們一出會堂,就和雅各、約翰到西門和安得烈的家裡去。 30 西門的岳母正在發燒躺著,他們立刻告訴耶穌。 31 耶穌走到她面前,拉著她的手,扶她起來,熱就退了,她就服事他們。 32 到了黃昏,有人不斷把生病的和被鬼附的,都帶到耶穌面前。 33 全城的人都聚集在門口。 34 耶穌醫好了各樣的病,也趕出許多的鬼,並且不許鬼說話,因為鬼認識他。

在加利利傳道趕鬼(H)

35 次日凌晨,天還沒有亮,耶穌起身出去,來到荒野的地方,在那裡禱告。 36 西門和那些跟他在一起的人就去尋找耶穌。 37 他們找到了,就對他說:“大家都在找你呢!” 38 耶穌對他們說:“我們到鄰近的鄉鎮去吧,我也好在那裡傳道,因為我就是為這事而來的。” 39 於是他走遍加利利全地,在他們的會堂裡傳道,並且趕鬼。

治好痲風病人(I)

40 有一個患痲風的人,來到耶穌跟前,跪下求他說:“如果你肯,必能使我潔淨。” 41 耶穌動了憐憫的心,就伸手摸他,說:“我肯,你潔淨了吧!” 42 痲風立刻離開了他,他就潔淨了。 43 耶穌打發那人離開以前,嚴厲地吩咐他, 44 說:“你千萬不可把這事告訴任何人,你只要去給祭司檢查,並且照著摩西所規定的,為你得潔淨獻祭,好向大家作證。” 45 但那人出來,竟任意傳講,就把這事傳開了,以致耶穌不能再公開進城,只好留在外邊荒野的地方;然而還是有人從各處到他那裡去。

施洗约翰(A)

 神的儿子(有些抄本无“ 神的儿子”一句)耶稣基督福音的开始。

正如以赛亚先知的书上写着:

“看哪,我差遣我的使者在你面前,

预备你的道路;

在旷野有呼喊者的声音:

‘预备主的道,

修直他的路!’”

照这话,施洗的约翰在旷野出现了,传讲悔改的洗礼,使罪得赦。 犹太全地和全耶路撒冷的人,都出来到他那里去,承认自己的罪,在约旦河里受了他的洗。 约翰身穿骆驼毛的衣服,腰束皮带,吃的是蝗虫和野蜜。 他传讲说:“有一位在我以后来的,能力比我大,我就是弯腰给他解鞋带都没有资格。 我用水给你们施洗,他却要用圣灵给你们施洗。”

耶稣受洗(B)

那时候耶稣从加利利的拿撒勒来,在约旦河里受了约翰的洗。 10 他从水里一上来,就看见天裂开了,圣灵仿佛鸽子降在他身上。 11 又有声音从天上来说:“你是我的爱子,我喜悦你。”

耶稣受试探(C)

12 圣灵随即催促耶稣到旷野去。 13 他在那里四十天,受撒但的试探,和野兽在一起,有天使来服事他。

在加利利传道(D)

14 约翰被捕以后,耶稣来到加利利,宣讲 神的福音, 15 说:“时候到了, 神的国近了,你们应当悔改,相信福音。”

呼召四个门徒(E)

16 耶稣沿着加利利海边行走,看见西门和他弟弟安得烈在海上撒网;他们是渔夫。 17 耶稣就对他们说:“来跟从我,我要使你们成为得人的渔夫。” 18 他们立刻撇下网,跟从了他。 19 耶稣稍往前走,看见西庇太的儿子雅各,和雅各的弟弟约翰,正在船上整理鱼网, 20 他立即呼召他们。他们撇下父亲西庇太和雇工在船上,就跟从他去了。

在迦百农赶出污灵(F)

21 他们到了迦百农,耶稣随即在安息日进入会堂教导人。 22 大家对他的教训都很惊奇,因为他教导他们,像一个有权柄的人,不像经学家。 23 就在那时,会堂里有一个被污灵附着的人,喊叫起来, 24 说:“拿撒勒人耶稣,我们跟你有甚么关系呢?你来毁灭我们吗?我知道你是谁,你是 神的圣者。” 25 耶稣斥责他说:“住口!从他身上出来!” 26 污灵使那人抽疯,大声喊叫,就从他身上出来了。 27 众人都很惊讶,于是彼此对问说:“这是怎么一回事?是个有权能的新道理啊!他吩咐污灵,污灵竟服从了他!” 28 耶稣的名声立刻传遍了加利利一带。

治病赶鬼(G)

29 他们一出会堂,就和雅各、约翰到西门和安得烈的家里去。 30 西门的岳母正在发烧躺着,他们立刻告诉耶稣。 31 耶稣走到她面前,拉着她的手,扶她起来,热就退了,她就服事他们。 32 到了黄昏,有人不断把生病的和被鬼附的,都带到耶稣面前。 33 全城的人都聚集在门口。 34 耶稣医好了各样的病,也赶出许多的鬼,并且不许鬼说话,因为鬼认识他。

在加利利传道赶鬼(H)

35 次日凌晨,天还没有亮,耶稣起身出去,来到荒野的地方,在那里祷告。 36 西门和那些跟他在一起的人就去寻找耶稣。 37 他们找到了,就对他说:“大家都在找你呢!” 38 耶稣对他们说:“我们到邻近的乡镇去吧,我也好在那里传道,因为我就是为这事而来的。” 39 于是他走遍加利利全地,在他们的会堂里传道,并且赶鬼。

治好痲风病人(I)

40 有一个患痲风的人,来到耶稣跟前,跪下求他说:“如果你肯,必能使我洁净。” 41 耶稣动了怜悯的心,就伸手摸他,说:“我肯,你洁净了吧!” 42 痲风立刻离开了他,他就洁净了。 43 耶稣打发那人离开以前,严厉地吩咐他, 44 说:“你千万不可把这事告诉任何人,你只要去给祭司检查,并且照着摩西所规定的,为你得洁净献祭,好向大家作证。” 45 但那人出来,竟任意传讲,就把这事传开了,以致耶稣不能再公开进城,只好留在外边荒野的地方;然而还是有人从各处到他那里去。

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

The beginning of the good news[a] of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[b]

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,[c]

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,[d]
    who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
    “Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight”’,

John the baptizer appeared[e] in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with[f] water; but he will baptize you with[g] the Holy Spirit.’

The Baptism of Jesus

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved;[h] with you I am well pleased.’

The Temptation of Jesus

12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news[i] of God,[j] 15 and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;[k] repent, and believe in the good news.’[l]

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

The Man with an Unclean Spirit

21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ 26 And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He[m] commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Jesus Heals Many at Simon’s House

29 As soon as they[n] left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32 That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

A Preaching Tour in Galilee

35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ 38 He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ 39 And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

40 A leper[o] came to him begging him, and kneeling[p] he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ 41 Moved with pity,[q] Jesus[r] stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ 42 Immediately the leprosy[s] left him, and he was made clean. 43 After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, 44 saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus[t] could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 1:1 Or gospel
  2. Mark 1:1 Other ancient authorities lack the Son of God
  3. Mark 1:2 Other ancient authorities read in the prophets
  4. Mark 1:2 Gk before your face
  5. Mark 1:4 Other ancient authorities read John was baptizing
  6. Mark 1:8 Or in
  7. Mark 1:8 Or in
  8. Mark 1:11 Or my beloved Son
  9. Mark 1:14 Or gospel
  10. Mark 1:14 Other ancient authorities read of the kingdom
  11. Mark 1:15 Or is at hand
  12. Mark 1:15 Or gospel
  13. Mark 1:27 Or A new teaching! With authority he
  14. Mark 1:29 Other ancient authorities read he
  15. Mark 1:40 The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases
  16. Mark 1:40 Other ancient authorities lack kneeling
  17. Mark 1:41 Other ancient authorities read anger
  18. Mark 1:41 Gk he
  19. Mark 1:42 The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases
  20. Mark 1:45 Gk he

John the Baptist Prepares the Way(A)

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b](B) as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”[c](C)
“a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”[d](D)

And so John the Baptist(E) appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance(F) for the forgiveness of sins.(G) The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist,(H) and he ate locusts(I) and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.(J) I baptize you with[e] water, but he will baptize you with[f] the Holy Spirit.”(K)

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus(L)(M)

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth(N) in Galilee and was baptized by John(O) in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.(P) 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son,(Q) whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”(R)

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days,(S) being tempted[g] by Satan.(T) He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Jesus Announces the Good News(U)

14 After John(V) was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee,(W) proclaiming the good news of God.(X) 15 “The time has come,”(Y) he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe(Z) the good news!”(AA)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.(AB)

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit(AC)

21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.(AD) 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.(AE) 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us,(AF) Jesus of Nazareth?(AG) Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”(AH)

25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”(AI) 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.(AJ)

27 The people were all so amazed(AK) that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region(AL) of Galilee.

Jesus Heals Many(AM)(AN)

29 As soon as they left the synagogue,(AO) they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up.(AP) The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.(AQ) 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases.(AR) He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.(AS)

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place(AT)

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.(AU) 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”(AV) 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues(AW) and driving out demons.(AX)

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy(AY)

40 A man with leprosy[h] came to him and begged him on his knees,(AZ) “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

41 Jesus was indignant.[i] He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone.(BA) But go, show yourself to the priest(BB) and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing,(BC) as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places.(BD) Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.(BE)

Footnotes

  1. Mark 1:1 Or Jesus Christ. Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean Anointed One.
  2. Mark 1:1 Some manuscripts do not have the Son of God.
  3. Mark 1:2 Mal. 3:1
  4. Mark 1:3 Isaiah 40:3
  5. Mark 1:8 Or in
  6. Mark 1:8 Or in
  7. Mark 1:13 The Greek for tempted can also mean tested.
  8. Mark 1:40 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
  9. Mark 1:41 Many manuscripts Jesus was filled with compassion

I. The Preparation for the Public Ministry of Jesus[a]

Chapter 1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ [the Son of God].[b]

The Preaching of John the Baptist. (A)As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:[c](B)

“Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
    he will prepare your way.
(C)A voice of one crying out in the desert:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make straight his paths.’”

John [the] Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist.[d] He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. [e](D)I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of Jesus. (E)It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.[f] 11 (F)And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The Temptation of Jesus.[g] 12 At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert,(G) 13 and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

II. The Mystery of Jesus

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry. 14 (H)After John had been arrested,[h] Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 (I)“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

The Call of the First Disciples.[i] 16 (J)As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. 19 He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. 20 Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

The Cure of a Demoniac. 21 [j](K)Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 (L)The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. 23 [k]In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; 24 [l]he cried out, “What have you to do with us,[m] Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” 26 The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. 27 All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” 28 His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

The Cure of Simon’s Mother-in-Law. 29 (M)On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. 31 He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

Other Healings. 32 When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. 33 The whole town was gathered at the door. 34 He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Jesus Leaves Capernaum. 35 (N)Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and those who were with him pursued him 37 and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” 39 So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

The Cleansing of a Leper. 40 (O)A leper[n] came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”(P) 42 The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.(Q) 43 Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 44 Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”(R) 45 The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Footnotes

  1. 1:1–13 The prologue of the Gospel according to Mark begins with the title (Mk 1:1) followed by three events preparatory to Jesus’ preaching: (1) the appearance in the Judean wilderness of John, baptizer, preacher of repentance, and precursor of Jesus (Mk 1:2–8); (2) the baptism of Jesus, at which a voice from heaven acknowledges Jesus to be God’s Son, and the holy Spirit descends on him (Mk 1:9–11); (3) the temptation of Jesus by Satan (Mk 1:12–13).
  2. 1:1 The gospel of Jesus Christ [the Son of God]: the “good news” of salvation in and through Jesus, crucified and risen, acknowledged by the Christian community as Messiah (Mk 8:29; 14:61–62) and Son of God (Mk 1:11; 9:7; 15:39), although some important manuscripts here omit the Son of God.
  3. 1:2–3 Although Mark attributes the prophecy to Isaiah, the text is a combination of Mal 3:1; Is 40:3; Ex 23:20; cf. Mt 11:10; Lk 7:27. John’s ministry is seen as God’s prelude to the saving mission of his Son. The way of the Lord: this prophecy of Deutero-Isaiah concerning the end of the Babylonian exile is here applied to the coming of Jesus; John the Baptist is to prepare the way for him.
  4. 1:6 Clothed in camel’s hair…waist: the Baptist’s garb recalls that of Elijah in 2 Kgs 1:8. Jesus speaks of the Baptist as Elijah who has already come (Mk 9:11–13; Mt 17:10–12; cf. Mal 3:23–24; Lk 1:17).
  5. 1:8–9 Through the life-giving baptism with the holy Spirit (Mk 1:8), Jesus will create a new people of God. But first he identifies himself with the people of Israel in submitting to John’s baptism of repentance and in bearing on their behalf the burden of God’s decisive judgment (Mk 1:9; cf. Mk 1:4). As in the desert of Sinai, so here in the wilderness of Judea, Israel’s sonship with God is to be renewed.
  6. 1:10–11 He saw the heavens…and the Spirit…upon him: indicating divine intervention in fulfillment of promise. Here the descent of the Spirit on Jesus is meant, anointing him for his ministry; cf. Is 11:2; 42:1; 61:1; 63:9. A voice…with you I am well pleased: God’s acknowledgment of Jesus as his unique Son, the object of his love. His approval of Jesus is the assurance that Jesus will fulfill his messianic mission of salvation.
  7. 1:12–13 The same Spirit who descended on Jesus in his baptism now drives him into the desert for forty days. The result is radical confrontation and temptation by Satan who attempts to frustrate the work of God. The presence of wild beasts may indicate the horror and danger of the desert regarded as the abode of demons or may reflect the paradise motif of harmony among all creatures; cf. Is 11:6–9. The presence of ministering angels to sustain Jesus recalls the angel who guided the Israelites in the desert in the first Exodus (Ex 14:19; 23:20) and the angel who supplied nourishment to Elijah in the wilderness (1 Kgs 19:5–7). The combined forces of good and evil were present to Jesus in the desert. His sustained obedience brings forth the new Israel of God there where Israel’s rebellion had brought death and alienation.
  8. 1:14–15 After John had been arrested: in the plan of God, Jesus was not to proclaim the good news of salvation prior to the termination of the Baptist’s active mission. Galilee: in the Marcan account, scene of the major part of Jesus’ public ministry before his arrest and condemnation. The gospel of God: not only the good news from God but about God at work in Jesus Christ. This is the time of fulfillment: i.e., of God’s promises. The kingdom of God…Repent: see note on Mt 3:2.
  9. 1:16–20 These verses narrate the call of the first Disciples. See notes on Mt 4:18–22 and Mt 4:20.
  10. 1:21–45 The account of a single day’s ministry of Jesus on a sabbath in and outside the synagogue of Capernaum (Mk 1:21–31) combines teaching and miracles of exorcism and healing. Mention is not made of the content of the teaching but of the effect of astonishment and alarm on the people. Jesus’ teaching with authority, making an absolute claim on the hearer, was in the best tradition of the ancient prophets, not of the scribes. The narrative continues with events that evening (Mk 1:32–34; see notes on Mt 8:14–17) and the next day (Mk 1:35–39). The cleansing in Mk 1:40–45 stands as an isolated story.
  11. 1:23 An unclean spirit: so called because of the spirit’s resistance to the holiness of God. The spirit knows and fears the power of Jesus to destroy his influence; cf. Mk 1:32, 34; 3:11; 6:13.
  12. 1:24–25 The Holy One of God: not a confession but an attempt to ward off Jesus’ power, reflecting the notion that use of the precise name of an opposing spirit would guarantee mastery over him. Jesus silenced the cry of the unclean spirit and drove him out of the man.
  13. 1:24 What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4.
  14. 1:40 A leper: for the various forms of skin disease, see Lv 13:1–50 and the note on Lv 13:2–4. There are only two instances in the Old Testament in which God is shown to have cured a leper (Nm 12:10–15; 2 Kgs 5:1–14). The law of Moses provided for the ritual purification of a leper. In curing the leper, Jesus assumes that the priests will reinstate the cured man into the religious community. See also note on Lk 5:14.