1Mark 1

The Preaching of John the Baptist

1This is the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.Select Mark 1:1

2It began just as God had said in the book written by Isaiah the prophet, “I am sending my messenger to get the way ready for you.Select Mark 1:2

3In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’ ”Select Mark 1:3

4So John the Baptist showed up in the desert and told everyone, “Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven.”Select Mark 1:4

5From all Judea and Jerusalem crowds of people went to John. They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.Select Mark 1:5

6John wore clothes made of camel's hair. He had a leather strap around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey.Select Mark 1:6

7John also told the people, “Someone more powerful is going to come. And I am not good enough even to stoop down and untie his sandals.Select Mark 1:7

8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”Select Mark 1:8

The Baptism of Jesus

9About that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.Select Mark 1:9

10As soon as Jesus came out of the water, he saw the sky open and the Holy Spirit coming down to him like a dove.Select Mark 1:10

11A voice from heaven said, “You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.”Select Mark 1:11

Jesus and Satan

12At once God's Spirit made Jesus go into the desert.Select Mark 1:12

13He stayed there for 40 days while Satan tested him. Jesus was with the wild animals, but angels took care of him.Select Mark 1:13

Jesus Begins His Work

14After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee and told the good news that comes from God.Select Mark 1:14

15He said, “The time has come! God's kingdom will soon be here. Turn back to God and believe the good news!”Select Mark 1:15

Jesus Chooses Four Fishermen

16As Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were fishermen and were casting their nets into the lake.Select Mark 1:16

17Jesus said to them, “Follow me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish.”Select Mark 1:17

18Right then the two brothers dropped their nets and went with him.Select Mark 1:18

19Jesus walked on and soon saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat, mending their nets.Select Mark 1:19

20At once Jesus asked them to come with him. They left their father in the boat with the hired workers and went with him.Select Mark 1:20

A Man with an Evil Spirit

21Jesus and his disciples went to the town of Capernaum. Then on the next Sabbath he went into the synagogue and started teaching.Select Mark 1:21

22Everyone was amazed at his teaching. He taught with authority, and not like the teachers of the Law of Moses.Select Mark 1:22

23Suddenly a man with an evil spirit in him entered the synagogue and yelled,Select Mark 1:23

24“Jesus from Nazareth, what do you want with us? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are! You are God's Holy One.”Select Mark 1:24

25Jesus told the evil spirit, “Be quiet and come out of the man!”Select Mark 1:25

26The spirit shook him. Then it gave a loud shout and left.Select Mark 1:26

27Everyone was completely surprised and kept saying to each other, “What is this? It must be some new kind of powerful teaching! Even the evil spirits obey him.”Select Mark 1:27

28News about Jesus quickly spread all over Galilee.Select Mark 1:28

Jesus Heals Many People

29As soon as Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went home with Simon and Andrew.Select Mark 1:29

30When they got there, Jesus was told that Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever.Select Mark 1:30

31Jesus went to her. He took hold of her hand and helped her up. The fever left her, and she served them a meal.Select Mark 1:31

32That evening after sunset, all who were sick or had demons in them were brought to Jesus.Select Mark 1:32

33In fact, the whole town gathered around the door of the house.Select Mark 1:33

34Jesus healed all kinds of terrible diseases and forced out a lot of demons. But the demons knew who he was, and he did not let them speak.Select Mark 1:34

35Very early the next morning before daylight, Jesus got up and went to a place where he could be alone and pray.Select Mark 1:35

36Simon and the others started looking for him.Select Mark 1:36

37And when they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you!”Select Mark 1:37

38Jesus replied, “We must go to the nearby towns, so that I can tell the good news to those people. This is why I have come.”Select Mark 1:38

39Then Jesus went to their synagogues everywhere in Galilee, where he preached and forced out demons.Select Mark 1:39

Jesus Heals a Man

40A man with leprosy came to Jesus and knelt down. He begged, “You have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.”Select Mark 1:40

41Jesus felt sorry for the man. So he put his hand on him and said, “I want to! Now you are well.”Select Mark 1:41

42At once the man's leprosy disappeared, and he was well.Select Mark 1:42

43After Jesus strictly warned the man, he sent him on his way.Select Mark 1:43

44He said, “Don't tell anyone about this. Just go and show the priest that you are well. Then take a gift to the temple as Moses commanded, and everyone will know that you have been healed.”Select Mark 1:44

45The man talked about it so much and told so many people, that Jesus could no longer go openly into a town. He had to stay away from the towns, but people still came to him from everywhere.Select Mark 1:45