Mark 1:26-45 ▼

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.