Mark

Presents a fast-paced account of Jesus' actions and miracles, emphasizing His role as the suffering servant.

Chapter 1

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

*The start of the good news about Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God;

2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

*As written in the prophets, a messenger will come to prepare your path for you.

3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

*A person's loud call in the desert says, "Get ready for the Lord's path and make it easy."

4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

*John baptized people in the desert and taught about a baptism that forgave sins when people were sorry.

5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

*Everyone from Judaea and Jerusalem went to him, and he baptized them in the Jordan River. They admitted their wrongdoings.

6 And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

*John wore camel hair clothing and a belt made from animal skin. He ate insects called locusts and natural sweetener called wild honey.

7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

*He said, "A stronger person is coming after me, and I'm not good enough to even untie his shoelaces."

8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

*I really did baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

*In those days, Jesus, who was from Nazareth in Galilee, was baptized by John in the Jordan River.

10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

*Immediately after emerging from the water, he looked up and saw the sky opening. The Spirit appeared as a dove and came down on him.

11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

*A voice spoke from the sky, saying, "You are my dear son, and I'm very happy with you."

12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

*And right away, the Spirit makes him go to the desert.

13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

*He stayed in the desert for 40 days, facing temptation from Satan, while being with wild animals. Angels helped him during this time.

14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

*After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee and taught about God's kingdom.

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

*He said, "The right time has come, and God's kingdom is near. Change your ways and trust in the good news."

16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

*Jesus was walking near the sea of Galilee when he saw Simon and Andrew, brothers who were fishing. They were fishermen.

17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

*And Jesus told them, "Follow me, and I'll teach you how to catch people for God."

18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

*Immediately, they left their fishing gear and followed him.

19 And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

*Then, after going a bit further, he saw James and John, brothers and sons of Zebedee, fixing their nets in the boat.

20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

*Immediately, he summoned them; they then left their father Zebedee in the boat with the paid workers and followed him.

21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

*They went to Capernaum and right away on Sunday, he went into the church and taught.

22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

*They were amazed by what he taught because he spoke with authority, unlike the other teachers.

23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

*In their church, there was a man possessed by an evil spirit, and he shouted out loud.

24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

*"Leave us alone! Why are you here, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you here to harm us? We know who you are - the Holy One of God."

25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

*And Jesus told him to be quiet and leave the person.

26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

*When the impure spirit hurt him badly and screamed loudly, it left him.

27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

*Everyone was very surprised, so they talked amongst themselves, asking, "What is this?" and "What new teaching is this?" because he has the power to control evil spirits, and they listen to him.

28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

*Right away, everyone heard about him in the entire area around Galilee.

29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

*Right away, after leaving the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew's house, along with James and John.

30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

*But Simon's mom was sick with a fever, and soon they told him about it.

31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

*He approached, grabbed her hand, and raised her up. Right away, her fever disappeared, and she helped them.

32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

*At sunset, they brought to him everyone who was sick and those controlled by evil spirits.

33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

*Everyone in the town came to the entrance.

34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

*He cured lots of sick people with different illnesses, expelled many demons, and wouldn't let them talk because they recognized him.

35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

*In the morning, waking up very early before the sun rises, he left and went to a quiet place. There, he prayed.

36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

*Simon and his friends chased after him.

37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

*When they found him, they told him, "Everyone is looking for you."

38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

*He said, "Let's go to the nearby towns so I can preach there too. That's why I came here."

39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

*He taught in the meeting places all over Galilee and got rid of evil spirits.

40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

*A person with skin disease approached Jesus, asking him to heal him. He knelt down and said, "If you want to, you have the power to make me clean."

41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

*Jesus felt sorry for the man, reached out his hand, touched him, and said, "I will make you clean."

42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

*As soon as he finished talking, the leprosy left him right away, and he became clean.

43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

*He strictly warned him and immediately sent him away.

44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

*He tells him not to tell anyone, but to go to the priest, show yourself to him, and bring what Moses ordered for purification as proof.

45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

*But he spread the news widely, telling people about it openly. Because of this, Jesus couldn't openly go into the city anymore. He stayed outside in open areas, and people came to him from all directions.

read summary

Back to Chapters

Back to Books

* work in progress, there will be mistakes