Mark 1
1208
John the Baptist Prepares
the Way
1
This is the beginning of the good news
a bout J esus the Messia h, the Son of
God. 2 Long ago Isaiah the prophe t
w rote,
“I will send my messenger ahead of
you.
He will prepare your way.”
(Malachi 3:1)
3 “A messenger is calling out in the
desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord.
Make straight paths for him.’ ”
(Isaiah 40:3)
the Jordan River. 10 Jesus was coming up
out of the water. Just then he saw heaven
being torn open. J esus saw the Holy
Spirit comi ng down on him like a dove.
11 A voice spoke to him from heaven. It
said, “You are my Son, and I love you. I
am very pleased with you.”
12 At once the Holy Spirit sent Jesus
out into the desert. 13 He was in the des
ert 40 days. T here Sat an tempted him.
The wild animals didn’t harm J esus. An
gels took care of him.
Jesus Preaches the Good News
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus
went into Galilee. He preached the good
news of God. 15 “The time has come,”
he said. “The kingdom of God has come
near. Turn away from your sins and
believe the good news!”
Jesus Chooses His First Disciples
John the Baptist
John the Baptist spoke God’s words. He
told the people that Jesus was coming.
John baptized many people in the river.
He told them to ask God to forgive them
for their sins. John the Baptist also
baptized Jesus.
4 And so John the Bapt ist app eared in
the desert. He p
reached that peop le
should be bapt ized and turn away from
their sins. Then God w
ould forg ive
them. 5 All the people from the coun
trys ide of Judea went out to him. All
the peop le from Jer us alem went too.
When they adm itt ed they had sinned,
John bapt ized them in the Jordan Riv
er. 6 John wore clothes made out of cam
el’s hair. He had a leather belt a round
his w aist. And he ate loc usts and wild
honey. 7 Here is what John was preach
ing. “After me, t here is someone coming
who is more powerf ul than I am. I’m not
good enough to bend down and unt ie his
sandals. 8 I bapt ize you with water. But
he will bapt ize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus Is Baptized and Tempted
9 At that time J
esus came from Naz
areth in Galilee. John bapt ized J esus in
16 One day Jesus was walki ng beside
the Sea of Galilee. T here he saw Simon
and his brothe r And rew. They were
throwing a net into the lake. They were
fishe rmen. 17 “Come and follow me,”
Jesus said. “I will send you out to fish for
people.” 18 At once they left t heir nets
and followed him.
19 Then J
esus w
alked a litt le fart her.
As he did, he saw James, the son of Zeb
edee, and his brother John. They were
in a boat preparing t heir nets. 20 R ight
away he c alled out to them. They left
their father Zebedee in the boat with the
hired men. Then they followed Jesus.
Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit
21 Jesus and t hose with him went to
Cap er n au m. When the Sabb ath day
came, he went into the syna g ogue.
T here he began to teach. 22 The people
were a mazed at his teaching. T hat’s be
cause he t aught them like one who had
authorit y. He did not talk like the teach
ers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their
synagogue cried out. He was cont rolled
by an evil spirit. He said, 24 “What do you
want with us, J esus of Naza reth? Have
you come to destroy us? I know who you
are. You are the Holy One of God!”
25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus firmly. “Come
out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the
man wildly. Then it came out of him with
a scream.
27 All the people were a mazed. So they