The Father Sends His Messenger

The shortest and swiftest Gospel, portraying Jesus as the suffering Servant who came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Chapter 1.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of our Father. ^a As written in Isaiah the prophet: "Look, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way. A voice calling out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judea and everyone in Jerusalem went out to him, and he baptized them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. John was dressed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, eating locusts and wild honey. He announced: "After me comes one stronger than I; I'm not worthy to stoop and untie his sandal strap. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

The Father Speaks Over His Son

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately, as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit come down on him like a dove.

And a voice came from heaven: "You are my beloved Son; in you I delight."

And immediately the Holy Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, with the wild animals, and the angels served him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of our Father,

and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and our Father's kingdom is near; repent and believe the good news."

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

Passing the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the sea, for they were fishermen.

And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of people."

And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Going a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and John his brother in their boat, mending the nets. At once he called them; leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired hands, they followed him.

Authority Over Darkness

They went to Capernaum. At once, on the Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and began teaching. They were amazed at his teaching, for he taught them with authority, not like the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out. Why meddle with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—God's Holy One!

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!

And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. All were amazed, and they questioned each other: "What is this? A new teaching with authority - he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!" And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Healing Comes to Simon's House

Immediately he left the synagogue and went to Simon and Andrew's house, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. He came, took her hand, raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.

That evening, when the sun set, they brought him all who were sick and those oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. He healed many sick with various diseases and drove out many demons, not letting the demons speak, since they knew him.

Jesus Withdraws to Pray

Long before dawn, while still dark, he got up, went out to a deserted place, and prayed there. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you."

He said, "Let us go elsewhere, to the neighboring towns, so I can preach there too, for that is why I came."

And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

The Leper Made Clean

A man with leprosy came, knelt, and begged him, "If you're willing, you can make me clean."

Moved with deep compassion, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be clean.

And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. Sternly warning him, he sent him away at once,

and told him, "Make sure you tell no one — but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing, as proof to the people."

But he went out, proclaiming it freely and spreading the news, so Jesus could no longer enter a town openly, but stayed in lonely places. Yet people came to him from everywhere.

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Mark 1