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| Codex Sinaiticus Gospel of Mark |
1:2 As it is written by the Prophet, ‘Behold, I send My messenger to you, who shall prepare the path before you.’1
1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness – ‘prepare for yourself the path of the LORD, and make your path straight for Him.’2
1:4 It was John who baptized in the wilderness, and preached the sacred immersion for a change of heart and the deliverance from sin.
1:5 Many came to him from throughout the land of Judea and Jerusalem – and they were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.
1:6 John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locust beans3 and wild honey.
1:7 In his preaching he said, “One will come after me who is greater than I – I am not worthy of bending down to untie the laces of his sandals.
1:8 Indeed I have baptized you with water – but he will baptize with the Holy Spirit.”
1:9 Some time later, Jesus arrived from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
1:10 As soon as Jesus came out of the water, he saw the heavens open and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove.
1:11 Then a voice from heaven said, “You are my beloved Servant, in whom I am well pleased.”
1:12 Then immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness.
1:13 And he stayed in the wilderness for forty days, being tested by the opposer of God.4 He stayed with the wild beasts, and the angels cared for him.
1:14 Later on, John was put into prison. Jesus then traveled to Galilee and preached the gospel of the sanctuary of God:
1:15 Saying, “The sanctuary of God is readily available. Change your heart and trust this good news.”
1:16 Later, as he was walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the water – as they were fishermen.
1:17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishermen of people.”
1:18 Immediately they gave up their nets and followed him.
1:19 Then when he had traveled a little further on, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were on a boat repairing their nets.
1:20 Immediately he called them and they left their father Zebedee and his workers on the boat and followed him.
1:21 Then they traveled to Capernaum and on the Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and began teaching.
1:22 They were astonished at his Teachings – because he taught them with authority and not as the scribes.
1:23 In the synagogue was a man with an impure spirit. He cried out –
1:24 saying, “Let us be – what do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know that you are the God’s Holy One.
1:25 Then Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet down – come out of him.”
1:26 Convulsing and crying loudly, the impure spirit came out of him.
1:27 And everyone was amazed, and asked among themselves, “What has happened? What is this new doctrine? Does the authority of this new teaching allow him to command even the impure spirits – and they obey him?”
1:28 Soon after, his fame began to spread throughout the region around Galilee.
1:29 As they emerged from the synagogue, they went into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
1:30 Yet the mother of Simon’s wife lay sick with a fever. Immediately they told him about her.
1:31 Then he entered and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. Then she served them.
1:32 When evening came, they brought to him everyone that were sick, along with those who were possessed with demons.
1:33 Then the whole city was gathered together outside the door.
1:34 He healed many who were sick from various diseases and cast out many demons. He would not allow the demons to speak because they knew who he was.
1:35 In the morning he rose early before sunrise and went to a solitary place to pray.
1:36 Simon and others who were with him followed after him.
1:37 Upon finding him, they said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”
1:38 He replied, “Let’s go to the next towns so I can preach there too – for this is why I have come.”
1:39 So he preached in the synagogues throughout Galilee, and cast out demons.
1:40 Later a leper came to him, calling out and kneeling before him, saying, “If it pleases you, you can cleanse me.”
1:41 Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out his hand and touched him, saying to him, “It pleases me for you to become cleansed.”
1:42 Immediately, as soon as he had spoken, the leprosy left him and the man was cleansed.
1:43 He sternly warned him as he sent him away –
1:44 saying to him, “See that you don’t tell anything to any one – but just go your way and appear before the priest at the Altar5 for your purification, make an offering, just as Moses commanded."
1:45 But the man left and began to spread what happen around publicly – so much so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city – leaving him outside in remote places. Even so, they came to him from everywhere.
Footnotes:
1. Verse 1:2. This verse references Malachi:
"I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 3:1 NIV)
2. Verse 1:3. This verse references Isaiah:
A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3 NIV)3. Verse 1:6. The Greek word ἀκρίς (akris) – “locusts” – can refer to the insect but also to the seed pods of the locust tree – also referred to in ancient times as “locusts” or “locust beans” – from this tree, Ceratonia siliqua, also known as the carob tree, St John's-bread and locust bean tree. There is no indication in the text that John the Baptist ate insects. (See also Matt. 3:4)
4. Verse 1:13. The Greek word Σατανᾶς (satanas) means, according to the lexicon, “adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act), the name given to – the prince of evil spirits, the inveterate adversary of God.” Since God does not really have any adversaries, “opposer” is used.
5. Verse 1:44. The Greek word ἱερεύς (hiereus) refers to a Jewish priest who maintains the Altar of God and makes offerings. Jesus is thus advising this new follower to make offerings to God. As Jesus indicates, this has the effect of purifying ones heart.
Continue to Gospel of Mark Chapter Two
