Mark 1:1-45 BSB

[1] This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [2] As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” [3] “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” [4] John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [5] People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. [6] John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. [7] And he proclaimed: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. [8] I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” [9] In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. [11] And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” [12] At once the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, [13] and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him. [14] After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. [15] “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” [16] As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. [17] “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” [18] And at once they left their nets and followed Him. [19] Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets. [20] Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him. [21] Then Jesus and His companions went to Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. [22] The people were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. [23] Suddenly a man with an unclean spirit cried out in the synagogue: [24] “What do You want 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 the spirit. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” [26] At this, the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and came out with a loud shriek. [27] All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!” [28] And the news about Jesus spread quickly through the whole region of Galilee. [29] As soon as Jesus and His companions had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. [30] Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and they promptly told Jesus about her. [31] So He went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. [32] That evening, after sunset, people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed, [33] and the whole town gathered at the door. [34] And He healed many who were ill with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. [35] Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray. [36] Simon and his companions went to look for Him, [37] and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!” [38] But Jesus answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.” [39] So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. [40] Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” [41] Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” [42] And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed. [43] Jesus promptly sent him away with a stern warning: [44] “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” [45] But the man went out and openly began to proclaim and spread the news. Consequently, Jesus could no longer enter a town in plain view, but He stayed out in solitary places. Yet people came to Him from every quarter.