Mark 1:40
New International Version
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Berean Literal Bible
And a leper comes to Him, imploring Him and kneeling down to Him, and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You are able to cleanse me."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
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.”

NASB 1995
And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

NASB 1977
And a leper came to Him, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And a leper came to Jesus, pleading with Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Amplified Bible
And a leper came to Him, begging Him and falling on his knees before Him, saying, “If You are willing, You are able to make me clean.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then a man with leprosy came to him and, on his knees, begged him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then a man with a serious skin disease came to Him and, on his knees, begged Him: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

American Standard Version
And there cometh to him a leper, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Contemporary English Version
A man with leprosy came to Jesus and knelt down. He begged, "You have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to."

English Revised Version
And there cometh to him a leper, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then a man with a serious skin disease came to him. The man fell to his knees and begged Jesus, "If you're willing, you can make me clean."

Good News Translation
A man suffering from a dreaded skin disease came to Jesus, knelt down, and begged him for help. "If you want to," he said, "you can make me clean."

International Standard Version
Then a leper came to Jesus and began pleading with him. He fell on his knees and told him, "If you want to, you can make me clean."

Majority Standard Bible
Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

NET Bible
Now a leper came to him and fell to his knees, asking for help. "If you are willing, you can make me clean," he said.

New Heart English Bible
And a leper came to him, begging him, and knelt down and said to him, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean."

Webster's Bible Translation
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Weymouth New Testament
One day there came a leper to Jesus entreating Him, and pleading on his knees. "If you are willing," he said, "you are able to cleanse me."

World English Bible
A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and there comes to Him a leper, calling on Him, and kneeling to Him, and saying to Him, “If You may will, You are able to cleanse me.”

Berean Literal Bible
And a leper comes to Him, imploring Him and kneeling down to Him, and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You are able to cleanse me."

Young's Literal Translation
and there doth come to him a leper, calling on him, and kneeling to him, and saying to him -- 'If thou mayest will, thou art able to cleanse me.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And a leprous one came to him, beseeching him, and supplicating him on his knees, and saying to him, That if thou wouldst, thou canst cleanse me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down said to him: If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And a leper came to him, begging him. And kneeling down, he said to him, “If you are willing, you are able to cleanse me.”

New American Bible
A leper came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”

New Revised Standard Version
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there came to him a leper, who fell down at his feet, and begged him, saying, If you will, you can make me clean.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
A leper came to him, fell at his feet, and begged him, saying, “If you are willing, you are able to make me clean.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And there came to him a leper, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him: If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Godbey New Testament
And a leper comes to Him, entreating Him, and bowing the knee to Him, and saying to Him, That if thou mayest be willing, thou art able to cleanse me.

Haweis New Testament
And there came to him a leper, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Mace New Testament
And there came a leper to him, who fell on his knees, and thus address'd him, "if you will, you can heal me."

Weymouth New Testament
One day there came a leper to Jesus entreating Him, and pleading on his knees. "If you are willing," he said, "you are able to cleanse me."

Worrell New Testament
And there comes to Him a leper, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying to Him, "If Thou wilt, Thou canst cleanse me!"

Worsley New Testament
And there came to Him a leper, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying unto Him, If thou wilt, thou canst cleanse me:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Leper's Prayer
39So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. 40Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!”…

Cross References
Matthew 8:2-4
Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. / Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”

Luke 5:12-14
While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. / “Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

Leviticus 13:45-46
A diseased person must wear torn clothes and let his hair hang loose, and he must cover his mouth and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ / As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp.

2 Kings 5:1-14
Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. / At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife. / She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.” ...

Isaiah 53:4
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.

Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Luke 17:12-19
As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance / and raised their voices, shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” / When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were on their way, they were cleansed. ...

Leviticus 14:1-32
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “This is the law for the one afflicted with a skin disease on the day of his cleansing, when he is brought to the priest. / The priest is to go outside the camp to examine him, and if the skin disease of the afflicted person has healed, ...

Numbers 12:10-15
As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous, / and said to Moses, “My lord, please do not hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed. / Please do not let her be like a stillborn infant whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.” ...

Isaiah 35:5-6
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. / Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

Matthew 9:28-30
After Jesus had entered the house, the blind men came to Him. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He asked. “Yes, Lord,” they answered. / Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you.” / And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one finds out about this!”

John 9:6-7
When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. / Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.

Matthew 14:14
When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Luke 7:22
So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

2 Chronicles 26:19-21
Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the LORD before the altar of incense, leprosy broke out on his forehead. / When Azariah the chief priest and all the priests turned to him and saw his leprous forehead, they rushed him out. Indeed, he himself hurried to get out, because the LORD had afflicted him. / So King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He lived in isolation, leprous and cut off from the house of the LORD, while his son Jotham had charge of the royal palace and governed the people of the land.


Treasury of Scripture

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him, If you will, you can make me clean.

there.

Matthew 8:2-4
And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean…

Luke 5:12-14
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean…

a leper.

Leviticus 13:1-14:57
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying, …

Numbers 12:10-15
And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous…

Deuteronomy 24:8,9
Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so ye shall observe to do…

kneeling.

Mark 10:17
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

2 Chronicles 6:13
For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,

Matthew 17:14
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

if thou.

Mark 9:22,23
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us…

Genesis 18:14
Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

2 Kings 5:7
And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.

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Mark 1
1. The office of John the Baptist.
9. Jesus is baptized;
12. tempted;
14. he preaches;
16. calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John;
23. heals one that had a demon;
29. Peter's mother in law;
32. many diseased persons;
40. and cleanses the leper.














Then a leper
The term "leper" refers to a person afflicted with leprosy, a chronic infectious disease that, in biblical times, rendered individuals ceremonially unclean and socially ostracized. The Greek word used here is "λεπρός" (lepros), which denotes someone suffering from a skin disease. Historically, lepers were marginalized, living in isolation due to the contagious nature of their condition. This context highlights the desperation and courage of the leper approaching Jesus, breaking social norms to seek healing.

came to Jesus
The act of coming to Jesus signifies a deliberate and bold approach. In the cultural and religious context of the time, a leper was not permitted to approach others, especially a rabbi. This action underscores the leper's faith and recognition of Jesus' authority and compassion. The Greek verb "ἔρχομαι" (erchomai) implies movement with purpose, indicating the leper's determination to seek divine intervention.

begging on his knees
This phrase illustrates the leper's posture of humility and desperation. The Greek word "παρακαλῶν" (parakalōn) means to beseech or implore earnestly. Kneeling is a physical expression of submission and reverence, often associated with prayer and supplication. This act of humility reflects the leper's acknowledgment of Jesus' power and his own need for mercy.

'If You are willing
The conditional "if" reveals the leper's understanding of Jesus' sovereignty and the belief that healing is contingent upon Jesus' will. The Greek word "θέλῃς" (thelēs) translates to "willing" or "desiring," emphasizing the leper's faith in Jesus' ability to heal, while also respecting His divine prerogative. This phrase captures the essence of faith—trusting in God's will above all.

You can make me clean
The leper's statement is a profound declaration of faith in Jesus' power to heal. The Greek verb "δύνασαι" (dynasai) means "you are able," indicating the leper's confidence in Jesus' capability. The request to be made "clean" (Greek "καθαρίσαι," katharisai) goes beyond physical healing; it seeks restoration to community and religious life, as leprosy rendered one ritually unclean. This plea reflects a deep desire for holistic healing—physical, social, and spiritual.

(40-43) And there came a leper.--See Notes on Matthew 8:1-4. The miracle appears in St. Matthew as following closely on the Sermon on the Mount.

Verse 40. - The healing of the leper is recorded in all the three synoptic Gospels; but St. Mark gives more full details. From St. Matthew we learn that it took place after the sermon on the mount; and yet not at the very close of his missionary circuit, St. Luke (Luke 5:12) says that the diseased man was "full of leprosy" (πλήρης λέπρας). The disorder was fully developed; it had spread over his whole body; he was leprous from head to foot. This leprosy was designed to be specially typical of the disease of sin. It was not infectious. It was not because it was either infectious or contagious that the leper was bidden under the Jewish Law to wars others off, in the words," Unclean! un-clean!" It was in some cases hereditary. It was a very revolting disease. It was a poisoning of the springs of life. It was a living death. It was incurable by any human art or skill. It was the awful sign of sin reaching unto death; and it was cured, as sin is cured, only by the mercy and favor of God. No wonder, then, that our Lord specially displayed his power over this terrible disease, that he might thus prove his power over the still worse malady of sin. St. Mark here tells us that this leper knelt down (καὶ γονυπετῶν). St. Matthew says (Matthew 8:2) that he "worshipped him," (προσεκύνει αὐτῷ); St. Luke says (Luke 5:12) that "he fell on his face" (πεσὼν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον). We thus see that the scriptural idea of worship is associated with some lowly posture of the body. But with this worship of the body, the leper offered also the homage of the soul. His prostration of himself before Christ was not merely a rendering of honor to an earthly being; it was a rendering of reverence to a Divine Being. For he does not say to him, "If thou wilt ask of God, he will give it thee;" but he says, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." It is as though he said, "I know that thou art of equal power with the Father, and therefore supreme Lord over diseases; so that by thy word alone thou canst remove this leprosy from me. I ask, therefore, that thou wouldst be willing to do this, and then I know that the thing is done." The leper had faith in the Divine power of Christ, partly out of his own inward illumination, and partly by the evidence of the miracles which Christ had already wrought. If thou wilt, thou east. Observe the hypothetic expression, "If thou wilt." He has no doubt as to Christ's power, but the words, "If thou wilt" show that his desire for healing was controlled by resignation to the will of God. For bodily diseases are often necessary for the health of the soul; and this God knows, though man knows it not. Therefore, in asking for earthly blessings, it behoves us to resign ourselves to the will and wisdom of God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

a leper
λεπρὸς (lepros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3015: A leprous person, a leper. From the same as lepra; scaly, i.e. Leprous.

came
ἔρχεται (erchetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

[Jesus],
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

begging
παρακαλῶν (parakalōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

on his knees:
γονυπετῶν (gonypetōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1120: From a compound of gonu and the alternate of pipto; to fall on the knee.

“If
Ἐὰν (Ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

You are willing,
θέλῃς (thelēs)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

You can
δύνασαί (dynasai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

make me clean.”
καθαρίσαι (katharisai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2511: To cleanse, make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually, according to context. From katharos; to cleanse.


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NT Gospels: Mark 1:40 A leper came to him begging him (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 1:39
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