1:1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [Some manuscripts: do not have the Son of God.]
1:2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way [Mal. 3:1]
1:3 a voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ [Isaiah 40:3]
1:4 And so John came, baptising in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
1:5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the Jordan River.
1:6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt round his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
1:7 And this was his message: After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
1:8 I baptise you with [Or in] water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.
1:9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan.
1:10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
1:11 And a voice came from heaven: You are my Son, whom I love with you I am well pleased.
1:12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,
1:13 and he was in the desert for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
1:14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
1:15 The time has come, he said. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!
1:16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
1:17 Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men.
1:18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
1:19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.
1:20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
1:21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.
1:22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
1:23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil [Greek: unclean also in verses 26 and 27] spirit cried out,
1:24 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!
1:25 Be quiet! said Jesus sternly. Come out of him!
1:26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
1:27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, What is this? A new teaching and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.
1:28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
1:29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
1:30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.
1:31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
1:32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.
1:33 The whole town gathered at the door,
1:34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
1:36 Simon and his companions went to look for him,
1:37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: Everyone is looking for you!
1:38 Jesus replied, Let us go somewhere else to the nearby villages so that I can preach there also. That is why I have come.
1:39 So he travelled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
1:40 A man with leprosy [The Greek word was used for various diseases affecting the skin not necessarily leprosy.] came to him and begged him on his knees, If you are willing, you can make me clean.
1:41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. I am willing, he said. Be clean!
1:42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
1:43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:
1:44 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.
1:45 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.