Mark 1:1-28 : Easy-to-Read Version  | SearchSearch | Next Version | Previous Page | Next Page |

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The Coming of Jesus

1 1The Good News* about Jesus Christ, the Son of God,* begins 2with what the prophet* Isaiah said would happen. Isaiah wrote: "Listen! I (God) will send my helper* ahead of you. He will prepare the way for you." Malachi 3:1

3"There is a person shouting in the desert: 'Prepare the way for the Lord. Make his paths straight.'" Isaiah 40:3

4So John the Baptizer came and was baptizing people in the desert area. He told the people to be baptized* to show they wanted to change their lives. Then their sins would be forgiven. 5All the people from Judea and Jerusalem went out to John. These people told the sins they had done, and then they were baptized by John in the Jordan River. 6John wore clothes made from camel's hair. John had a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts* and wild honey. 7This is what John told the people: "There is a person coming later who is greater than I am. I am not good enough to kneel down and untie his shoes. 8I baptize you with water. But that person who is coming will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.*"

Jesus Is Baptized

9At that time Jesus came from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the place where John was. John baptized* Jesus in the Jordan River. 10While Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw the sky open. The Holy Spirit* came down to Jesus like a dove. 11A voice came from heaven and said: "You are my Son and I love you. I am very pleased with you."

Jesus Goes Away to Be Tempted

12Then the Spirit sent Jesus into the desert alone. 13Jesus was in the desert 40 days. He was there with the wild animals. While Jesus was in the desert, he was tempted by Satan (the devil). Then angels came and helped Jesus.

Jesus Chooses Some Followers

14After this, John was put into prison. Jesus went into Galilee and told people the Good News from God. 15Jesus said, "The right time is now here. The kingdom of God is near. Change your hearts and lives and believe the Good News!" 16Jesus was walking by Lake Galilee. Jesus saw Simon* and Simon's brother, Andrew. These two men were fishermen, and they were throwing a net into the lake to catch fish. 17Jesus said to them, "Come and follow me. I will make you [a different kind of] fishermen. You will work to gather people, [not fish]." 18So Simon and Andrew left their nets and followed Jesus. 19Jesus continued walking by Lake Galilee. He saw two more brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat, preparing their nets to catch fish. 20Their father Zebedee and the men that worked for him were in the boat with the brothers. When Jesus saw the brothers he told them to come. They left their father and followed Jesus.

Jesus Heals a Man That Had an Evil Spirit

21Jesus and his followers went to Capernaum.* On the Sabbath day* Jesus went into the synagogue* and taught the people. 22The people there were amazed at Jesus' teaching. Jesus did not teach like their teachers of the law. Jesus taught like a person that had authority (power). 23While Jesus was in the synagogue, a man was there that had an evil spirit [from the devil] inside him. The man shouted, 24"Jesus of Nazareth! What do you want with us? Did you come to destroy us? I know who you are--God's Holy One!" 25Jesus said strongly, "Be quiet! Come out of the man!" 26The evil spirit made the man shake. Then the spirit made a loud noise and came out of the man. 27The people were amazed. They asked each other, "What is happening here? This man is teaching something new. And he teaches with authority (power)! He even gives commands to evil spirits, and the spirits obey him." 28So the news about Jesus spread quickly everywhere in the area of Galilee.

Good News The news that God has made a way for people to have their sins forgiven and live with him forever. the Son of God Some Greek copies omit these words. prophet A person who spoke for God. Sometimes a prophet told things that would happen in the future. helper Literally, "messenger." baptized A Greek word meaning to be immersed, dipped, or buried briefly under water. locusts Insects like grasshoppers. The law of Moses said that locusts could be eaten (See Lev. 11:21-22). Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world. Simon Simon's other name was Peter. Capernaum A town in Galilee where Jesus taught. Sabbath day The seventh day of the Jewish week. It was a special religious day for the Jews. synagogue(s) Synagogues were places where Jews gathered for prayer, study of the Scriptures, and other public meetings.

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