Mark 1:40 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean."

NIV: A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."

NASB: And a man with leprosy *came to Jesus, imploring Him and kneeling down, and saying to Him, 'If You are willing, You can make me clean.'

CSB: Then a man with leprosy came to him and, on his knees, begged him: "If you are willing, you can make me clean."

NLT: A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. 'If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,' he said.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

This verse introduces Mark's first specific account of Jesus' work in Galilee outside of Capernaum. We are unclear as to what, exactly, "leprosy" means as referenced in the Bible. Hansen's disease, which was noted in India as early as 600 BC, attacks the nervous system and disfigures the victim's skin and bones. But the biblical concept of leprosy encompasses a number of conditions, including "a swelling or an eruption or a spot" (Leviticus 13:2) and even mildew on fabric (Leviticus 13:47). Whatever the specifics, the consequence was disastrous. If a person was confirmed to have leprosy after being examined by a priest, he was to tear his clothes, let his hair hang loose, cover his upper lip, and cry out "Unclean, unclean," wherever he went. In addition, he had to live outside the settled areas to prevent the disease from spreading.

As painful or as inconvenient as the physical malady may have been, the social stigma was worse. Judaism lists any number of ways people could be "unclean," but most of those had an expiration date. Usually, cleanliness was available that evening after bathing, although longer periods are stipulated for childbirth. Someone suffering from a skin condition identified as leprosy was unclean until the condition was healed. Those who were unclean were unqualified from worshiping with others, including going to the temple. If the condition was incurable, their unclean state was permanent.

News of Jesus' healing power has reached this man who lived outside the cities. He responds with humility and faith, kneeling before Jesus and acknowledging the only thing standing between him and healing is Jesus' will. The man is not only asking for relief from his skin condition, but to be made clean. This would certainly include being physically healed, but also living and worshiping with others.

We don't have such strong restrictions regarding worship, yet we still sometimes look for an excuse to skip church. Of course, going to church with a highly contagious disease isn't a good idea, but if our priority was to worship God with other believers, the more minor inconveniences wouldn't keep us home.

Mark 1:21–45 opens a longer section describing the healing and preaching ministry of Jesus Christ. In this segment, Jesus impresses onlookers with His mastery of the Scriptures. He also amazes people with His authoritative style. During this teaching, Jesus heals a man afflicted with demonic possession. The resulting publicity brings a massive crowd to the home of Simon Peter, where Jesus is staying. Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law of a fever, and cures a leper, before leaving the region to continue His ministry.

John the Baptist is introduced as a figure preparing the world for the arrival of the Messiah. John's baptism teaches people about their need for repentance. When Jesus arrives, and is baptized, it signals the coming of God's fulfillment and the need of people to recognize their Savior. Mark briefly notes Jesus' baptism, desert temptation, and the calling of the first four disciples. After this, Jesus begins teaching in the synagogue and performs miraculous healings which spread His fame around the region.

The first chapter of the Gospel of Mark sets the tone for the rest of the story. Mark's writing is concise, action-packed, and short on details. Within a few verses, Mark establishes the transition from the wilderness ministry of John the Baptist to the healing and preaching of Jesus Christ. This first chapter includes the calling of Jesus' earliest disciples, His early miracles, and His early teaching. This establishes the pattern shown throughout the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus mingles His teaching with miraculous signs.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.