Mark 1:35-45
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.
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.”
39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41 Jesus was indignant. 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. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, 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. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Mark 1:35-45: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 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.”
Jesus prioritizes prayer. He seeks solitude to connect with God. This shows the importance of personal prayer time.
Verse 36: “Simon and his companions went to look for him,”
His disciples notice his absence. They actively seek him out, showing their dependence on him.
Verse 37: “and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!'”
The disciples express urgency. The people are eager to see Jesus, indicating his growing popularity.
Verse 38: “Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.'”
Jesus emphasizes his mission. He must spread his message widely, not just stay in one place.
Verse 39: “So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.”
Jesus is active in his ministry. He preaches and performs miracles, demonstrating his authority.
Verse 40: “A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, ‘If you are willing, you can make me clean.'”
The leper shows faith and desperation. He believes in Jesus’ power to heal.
Verse 41: “Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!'”
Jesus responds with compassion. He heals the man, showing his willingness to help those in need.
Verse 42: “Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.”
The healing is instant. This underscores Jesus’ divine power.
Verse 43: “Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:”
Jesus gives specific instructions. He wants the man to follow the proper procedures.
Verse 44: “‘See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.'”
Jesus instructs the man to follow the Law of Moses. This ensures the healing is recognized officially.
Verse 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. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.”
The man disobeys Jesus’ command. This causes logistical issues for Jesus, but his popularity continues to grow.