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Mark 1
Mark 1:1
General Information:
The author of this book is Mark, also called John Mark. He was the son of one of the women named Mary mentioned in the four Gospels. He was also the nephew of Barnabas. This whole book is about Jesus Christ.
Son of God
This is an important title for Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples)
Mark 1:2
General Information:
Mark begins this book with the words that the prophet Isaiah wrote long ago about a messenger who would come and tell the people to get ready for the Lord's coming. Verses 4-15 show how this prophecy was fulfilled by John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.
before your face
This is an idiom that means "ahead of you." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
your face ... your way
Here the word "your" refers to the Lord and is singular. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
the one
This refers to the messenger.
will prepare your way
Doing this represents preparing the people for the Lord's arrival. Alternate translation: "will prepare the people for your arrival" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Mark 1:3
Connecting Statement:
This verse tells how the messenger in verse 2 would prepare the Lord's way.
The voice of one calling out in the wilderness
This phrase can be expressed as a sentence. Alternate translation: "The voice of one calling out in the wilderness is heard" or "They hear the sound of someone calling out in the wilderness"
Make ready the way of the Lord ... make his paths straight
These two phrases mean the same thing. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
Make ready the way of the Lord
"Get the road ready for the Lord." Doing this represents being prepared to hear the Lord's message when he comes. People do this by repenting of their sins. Alternate translation: "Prepare to hear the Lord's message when he comes" or "Repent and be ready for the Lord to come" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Mark 1:4
General Information
The events in Mark 1:4-15 are a fulfillment of what Isaiah had prophesied. John was the "messenger" of verse 2 and "the one calling out in the wilderness" of verse 3.
John came
Translators can make it explicit that John's coming was a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Alternate translation: "So John came" or "In fulfillment of that prophecy, John came" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Mark 1:5
The whole country of Judea and all the people of Jerusalem
The words "The whole country" are a metonym for the people who live in the country and a generalization that refers to a great number of people, not to every single person. Alternate translation: "Many people from Judea and Jerusalem" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
They were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins
They did these things at the same time. The people were baptized because they repented of their sins. Alternate translation: "When they repented of their sins, John baptized them in the Jordan River" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Mark 1:6
he was eating locusts and wild honey
Locusts and wild honey were foods that John could find in the wilderness. Wild honey is honey that wild bees make. Alternate translation: "he ate locusts and wild honey"
Mark 1:7
He proclaimed
"John proclaimed"
the strap of his sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie
John was comparing himself to a servant to show how great the one to come would be. Alternate translation: "I am not even worthy to do the lowly task of removing his shoes"
the strap of his sandals
People often wore sandals that were made of leather and were tied to their feet with leather straps.
stoop down
"bend down"
Mark 1:8
but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit
John was contrasting how he was purifying people with water with how the one to come would purify people with the Holy Spirit. To baptize with the Holy Spirit is a metaphor meaning that that person would send the Holy Spirit to purify people. The Holy Spirit would then live in them and empower them to stop sinning and to obey God. If possible, use the same word for "baptize" here as you used for John's baptism. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Mark 1:9
It happened in those days
This marks the beginning of a new event in the story line. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
he was baptized by John
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "John baptized him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Mark 1:10
the Spirit coming down on him like a dove
Possible meanings are 1) this is a simile, and the Spirit descended upon Jesus as a bird descends from the sky toward the ground or 2) the Spirit literally looked like a dove as he descended upon Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Mark 1:11
A voice came out of the heavens
This represents God speaking. Sometimes people avoid referring directly to God because they respect him. Alternate translation: "God spoke from the heavens" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
beloved Son
This is an important title for Jesus. The Father calls Jesus his "beloved Son" because of his eternal love for him. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples)
Mark 1:12
Connecting Statement:
After Jesus's baptism, he is in the wilderness for 40 days and then goes to Galilee to teach and call his disciples.
compelled him to go out
"forced Jesus to go out"
Mark 1:13
He was in the wilderness
"He stayed in the wilderness"
forty days
"40 days" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-numbers)
He was with
"He was among"
Mark 1:14
after John was arrested
"after John was placed in prison." Mark is referring to when King Herod had John arrested. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "after King Herod had John arrested" or "after soldiers arrested John" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
proclaiming the gospel
"telling many people about the good news"
Mark 1:15
The time is fulfilled
"It is now time"
the kingdom of God is near
"it is almost time for God to begin to rule over his people"
Mark 1:16
he saw Simon and Andrew
"Jesus saw Simon and Andrew"
casting a net in the sea
The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "throwing a net into the water to catch fish" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Mark 1:17
Come, follow me
"Follow me" or "Come with me"
I will make you fishers of men
This metaphor means Simon and Andrew will teach people God's true message, so others will also follow Jesus. Alternate translation: "I will teach you to gather men to me like you gather fish" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Mark 1:18
General Information:
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Mark 1:19
in the boat
It can be assumed that this boat belongs to James and John. Alternate translation: "in their boat" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
mending the nets
"repairing the nets"
Mark 1:20
called them
It may be helpful to state clearly why Jesus called to James and John. Alternate translation: "called them to come with him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
hired servants
"servants who worked for them"
they followed him
James and John went with Jesus.
Mark 1:21
Connecting Statement:
Jesus teaches in the synagogue of the town of Capernaum on the Sabbath. By sending a demon out of a man he amazes the people in all the nearby area around Galilee.
came into Capernaum
"arrived at Capernaum"
Mark 1:22
for he was teaching them as someone who has authority and not as the scribes
The idea of "teach" can be stated clearly when talking about "someone who has authority" and "the scribes." Alternate translation: "for he was teaching them as someone who has authority teaches and not as the scribes teach" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)
Mark 1:23
General Information:
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Mark 1:24
What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth?
The demon asked this rhetorical question meaning that there was no reason for Jesus to interfere with him or any other demon. Alternate translation: "Jesus of Nazareth, leave us alone! There is no reason for you to interfere with us." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
we ... us
These pronouns are exclusive. They refer to the demon inside the man and all other demons, but do not include the listener. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
Have you come to destroy us?
The demon asked this rhetorical question to urge Jesus not to harm him or any other demon. Alternate translation: "Do not destroy us!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Mark 1:25
General Information:
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Mark 1:26
threw him down
Here the word "him" refers to the demon-possessed man.
and went out from him while crying out with a loud voice
"and cried out with a loud voice as it went out from him"
Mark 1:27
so they asked each other, "What is this? ... they obey him!"
The people used a question to show how amazed they were. It can be expressed as an exclamation. Alternate translation: "so they said to each other, 'This is amazing! ... they obey him!'" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
A new teaching with authority!
The people used this exclamation to express their amazement at Jesus' teaching. It can also be expressed as a full sentence. Alternate translation: "He gives a new teaching, and he speaks with authority!" or "He teaches something new, and he has authority!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclamations)
He even commands the unclean spirits and they obey him!
This was evidence of Jesus' authority.
Mark 1:28
General Information:
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Mark 1:29
General Information:
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Mark 1:30
Now Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever
The word "Now" marks a break in the main story line. In this sentence, Mark introduces Simon's mother-in-law to the story and gives background information about her. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants and rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
Mark 1:31
raised her up
"caused her to stand" or "made her able to get out of bed"
the fever left her
You may want to make explicit who healed her. Alternate translation: "Jesus healed her of the fever" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
she started serving them
You may want to make explicit that she served food. Alternate translation: "she provided them with food and drinks" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Mark 1:32
they brought to him
"the people brought to Jesus"
all who were sick or possessed by demons
The word "all" is an exaggeration to emphasize the great number of people who came. Alternate translation: "many who were sick or possessed by demons" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
Mark 1:33
The whole city gathered together at the door
The word "city" is a metonym for the people who lived in the city. Here the word "whole" is probably a generalization to emphasize that most people from the city gathered. Alternate translation: "Many people from that city gathered outside the door" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
Mark 1:34
He healed
"Jesus healed"
Mark 1:35
Connecting Statement:
Jesus takes time to pray in the midst of his time of healing people. He then goes to towns throughout Galilee to preach, heal, and cast out demons.
He got up
"Jesus got up"
a solitary place
"a place where he could be alone"
Mark 1:36
Simon and those who were with him
Here "him" refers to Simon. Also, those with him include Andrew, James, John, and possibly other people.
Mark 1:37
Everyone is looking for you
The word "Everyone" is an exaggeration to emphasize the very many people who were looking for Jesus. Alternate translation: "Many people are looking for you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
Mark 1:38
General Information:
Here the words "he" and "I" refer to Jesus.
Let us go elsewhere
"We need to go to some other place." Here Jesus uses the word "us" to refer to himself, along with Simon, Andrew, James, and John.
Mark 1:39
He went throughout all of Galilee
The words "throughout all" are an exaggeration used to emphasize that Jesus went to many locations during his ministry. Alternate translation: "He went to many places in Galilee" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
Mark 1:40
A leper came to him. He was begging him; he knelt down and said to him
"A leper came to Jesus. He knelt down and was begging Jesus and said"
If you are willing, you can make me clean
In the first phrase, the words "to make me clean" are understood because of the second phrase. Alternate translation: "If you are willing to make me clean, then you can make me clean" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)
are willing
"want" or "desire"
you can make me clean
In biblical times, a person who had any of certain skin diseases was considered unclean until his skin had healed enough that he was no longer contagious. Alternate translation: "you can heal me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Mark 1:41
Moved with compassion, Jesus
Here the word "moved" is an idiom meaning to feel emotion about another's need. Alternate translation: "Having compassion for him, Jesus" or "Jesus felt compassion for the man, so he" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
I am willing
It may be helpful to state what Jesus is willing to do. Alternate translation: "I am willing to make you clean" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Mark 1:42
General Information:
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Mark 1:43
General Information:
The word "him" used here refers to the leper whom Jesus healed.
Mark 1:44
Be sure to say nothing to anyone
"Be sure to not say anything to anyone"
show yourself to the priest
Jesus told the man to show himself to the priest so that the priest could look at his skin to see if his leprosy was really gone. The law of Moses required people to present themselves to the priest if they had been unclean but were no longer unclean. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
show yourself
The word "yourself" here represents the skin of the leper. Alternate translation: "show your skin" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
a testimony to them
It is best to use the pronoun "them," if possible, in your language. Possible meanings are 1) "a testimony to the priests" or 2) "a testimony to the people."
Mark 1:45
But he went out
The word "he" refers to the man Jesus healed.
began to declare it freely
Here "declare it freely" is a metaphor for telling people in many places about what had happened. Alternate translation: "began to tell people in many places about what Jesus had done" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
so much so that
The man spread the news so much that
that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly
This was the result of the man spreading the news so much. Here "openly" is a metaphor for "publicly." Jesus could not enter the towns because many people would crowd around him. Alternate translation: "that Jesus could no longer enter a town publicly" or "that Jesus could no longer enter the towns in a way that many people would see him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
remote places
"lonely places" or "places where no one lived"
from everywhere
The word "everywhere" is a hyperbole used to emphasize how very many places the people came from. Alternate translation: "from all over the region" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)