Mark 1
The New Consensus Bible is an AI-generated contemporary rendering, built from seven public-domain translations and the 20-tradition consensus. See all the work behind this chapter.
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2Just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of your face, who will prepare your way.” 3A voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!’ 4John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And all the Judean region and all the Jerusalemites were going out to him, and they were all being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed in camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And he preached, saying, “After me comes the one who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8I indeed baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized into the Jordan by John. 10And immediately, coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11And a voice came from the heavens: “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.” 12And immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. 13And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to him. 14Now after John was handed over, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near; repent and believe in the gospel.” 16And passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a casting-net in the sea; for they were fishers. 17And Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19And going on a little farther from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20And immediately he called them, and leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, they went away after him. 21And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the sabbaths he entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22And they were astounded at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, 24saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silenced, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and voicing with a loud voice, came out of him. 27And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28And the report of him immediately went out everywhere into the whole surrounding region of Galilee. 29And immediately, having gone out of the synagogue, they went into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever, and immediately they spoke to him about her. 31And he approached and raised her up, taking hold of her hand; and immediately the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32Evening having come, when the sun set, they brought to him all those who were sick and those possessed by demons. 33And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35And early, while it was still very much night, he got up and went out, and departed to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and the ones with him hunted for him; 37and they found him and said to him, “All are seeking you.” 38And he said to them, “Let us go elsewhere into the neighboring towns, so that I may preach there also; for this is why I came forth.” 39And he went into the whole of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. 40And a leper came to him, beseeching him, kneeling to him, and saying to him, “If you are willing, you are able to make me clean.” 41And moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be made clean.” 42And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43And sternly warning him, he immediately sent him out, 44and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.” 45But he went out and began to proclaim it much and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a city, but stayed outside in deserted places. And they were coming to him from everywhere.
Watch & listen
Mark 1: The Kingdom Drawn Near
Jesus of Nazareth is baptized, faces the wilderness, calls his first disciples, and demonstrates his authority over sickness and spirits in Galilee.
The New Consensus Bible text of Mark 1, read aloud over the chapter’s eight scenes. The words appear below as they are read.
Film, illustrations and song are AI-generated from this chapter’s consensus — not a depiction any tradition has approved. The imagery is deliberately neutral on the points the traditions dispute, and every word spoken or printed is the New Consensus Bible quoted verbatim.