Mark 1:40-45
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 1:40-45: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 40: “A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, ‘If you are willing, you can make me clean.'”
This verse introduces a man suffering from leprosy. Leprosy was a severe and isolating disease. The man approaches Jesus with humility and faith. He kneels and acknowledges 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’ reaction is one of compassion. He touches the man, which was against social norms due to the disease’s contagious nature. His words, “I am willing,” show his readiness to heal. The command “Be clean!” demonstrates his authority.
Verse 42: “Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.”
The healing is instantaneous. The man’s leprosy disappears at once. This immediate result underscores Jesus’ divine power.
Verse 43: “Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:”
Jesus acts quickly after the healing. He gives the man a stern instruction. This urgency suggests the importance of what he is about to say.
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 keep the healing private. He directs him to follow the Mosaic Law. Showing himself to the priest and offering sacrifices would officially recognize his healing. This act serves as a testimony to the religious authorities.
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. He spreads the news of his healing. This causes a significant change in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus can no longer enter towns openly due to the crowds. He stays in secluded areas, but people still seek him out. This shows the growing impact of his ministry.