Mark 1:1-20 ▼

1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

2 As it is written in Isaiah the Prophet, "See, I am sending My messenger before Thee, Who will prepare Thy way";

3 "The voice of one crying aloud: 'In the Desert prepare a road for the Lord: Make His highways straight.'"

4 So John the Baptizer came, and was in the Desert proclaiming a baptism of the penitent for forgiveness of sins.

5 There went out to him people of all classes from Judaea, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem of all ranks, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, making open confession of their sins.

6 As for John, his garment was of camel's hair, and he wore a loincloth of leather; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

7 His announcement was, "There is One coming after me mightier than I--One whose sandal-strap I am unworthy to stoop down and unfasten.

8 I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan;

10 and immediately on His coming up out of the water He saw an opening in the sky, and the Spirit like a dove coming down to Him;

11 and a voice came from the sky, saying, "Thou art My Son dearly loved: in Thee is My delight."

12 At once the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the Desert,

13 where He remained for forty days, tempted by Satan; and He was among the wild beasts, but the angels waited upon Him.

14 Then, after John had been thrown into prison, Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming God's Good News.

15 "The time has fully come," He said, "and the Kingdom of God is close at hand: repent, and believe this Good News.

16 One day, passing along the shore of the Lake of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, throwing their nets in the Lake; for they were fisherman.

17 "Come and follow me," said Jesus, "and I will make you fishers for men."

18 At once they left their nets and followed Him.

19 Going on a little further He saw James the son of Zabdi and his brother John: they also were in the boat mending the nets, and He immediately called them.

20 They therefore left their father Zabdi in the boat with the hired men, and went and followed Him.