Mark 1:38 kjv

And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

Mark 1:38 nkjv

But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."

Mark 1:38 niv

Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else?to the nearby villages?so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."

Mark 1:38 esv

And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out."

Mark 1:38 nlt

But Jesus replied, "We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came."

Mark 1 verses

Mark 1 38 Meaning

Mark 1:38 reveals Jesus' profound understanding of His divine commission. Despite significant popularity and success in healing in Capernaum, Jesus articulates the priority of His mission: to universally proclaim the Gospel message, emphasizing that this was the very reason for which He was sent by God. It signifies His resolute focus on spreading the message of the Kingdom of God to many places rather than becoming static in one location or merely fulfilling roles as a healer or exorcist.

Mark 1 38 Context

Mark 1:38 is a pivotal statement occurring at a crucial juncture in Jesus' early Galilean ministry. Before this verse, Jesus has achieved remarkable fame in Capernaum through His authoritative teaching (1:21-22), an exorcism (1:23-28), and a multitude of healings (1:29-34). The previous verse shows Peter and his companions seeking Jesus out, proclaiming, "Everyone is looking for you." The popular demand for His miraculous power was immense. However, Jesus' response is not to remain in Capernaum and capitalize on this popularity or demand for physical healing. Instead, He redirects His immediate focus outward, establishing a fundamental principle of His itinerant ministry: His purpose transcends localized miracles; it is to broadly proclaim the Kingdom of God. This decision is presented immediately after Jesus withdraws to a desolate place to pray (1:35), suggesting divine guidance for His subsequent missionary imperative.

Mark 1 38 Word analysis

• And he said to them: Introduces Jesus' direct and authoritative statement to His disciples, who represent those who followed and questioned Him.

• “Let us go on” (Agōmen - ἄγωμεν): This is a hortatory subjunctive, expressing an exhortation or urgent call for a shared action. It means "let us lead," "let us go," indicating Jesus leading the way, inviting His followers to join Him in His mission. It suggests a movement, not staying in one place.

• to the next towns (tas echomenas kōmopoleis - τὰς ἐχομένας κωμοπόλεις):

  • echomenas: literally "the ones holding" or "the adjacent/next ones," implying contiguous or neighboring settlements.
  • kōmopoleis: A compound word unique in the Gospels to Mark and Luke. It suggests "village-cities" or "towns," places larger than mere villages but not major metropolitan centers. This indicates a target audience beyond just big cities or villages, a widespread, intermediate scope.

• that I may preach there also (hina kēryxō ekei kai):

  • hina kēryxō: A purpose clause ("in order that I may preach"). kēryssō (κηρύσσω) means "to proclaim aloud, to herald, to declare publically," especially as a messenger of authority. This emphasizes authoritative proclamation as His primary aim.
  • ekei kai: "there also," signifying that the message needs to spread beyond Capernaum, not just to where He's already had success. It underlines the universal and widespread nature of His mission.

• for (hoti - ὅτι): Connects the previous statement to its foundational reason.

• I was sent (apestalē - ἀπεστάλη): Passive voice of apostellō (ἀποστέλλω), meaning "to send away," "to commission." It highlights that Jesus' mission originates not from His own initiative or the demands of the crowd, but from God, the One who "sent" Him. This term is closely related to "apostle," signifying a divine commissioner. It stresses divine purpose.

• for this purpose (eis touto - εἰς τοῦτο): Refers specifically to the mission of proclaiming the Kingdom, the core message He preached (Mk 1:14-15). It explicitly states His vocation as a herald of the Gospel. It grounds His entire being and action in the Father's will and purpose, distinct from any popular demand or miracle working.

• "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also": This phrase emphasizes an expansion of ministry beyond a single locale. Jesus is not bound by a specific place or by popular demand. His mission is extensive, not intensive to one spot.

• "for I was sent for this purpose": This is Jesus' concise explanation of His mission's core. His identity as the Sent One defines His activities. His being sent is a theological truth, providing divine authorization and motivation for His itinerant preaching. This clarifies that miracles were subordinate to the message, serving to authenticate the Messenger and His proclamation.

Mark 1 38 Bonus section

The Capernaum episode illustrates a potential tension in ministry between fulfilling immediate physical needs (healing, exorcism) and the ultimate spiritual goal (proclaiming the Kingdom). Jesus clearly delineates that His primary calling is proclamation, with miracles serving as powerful signs of that message, but not as the message itself or its sole end. This verse foreshadows the itinerant nature of the apostolic mission that His disciples would later undertake, following His pattern of spreading the Good News broadly. It challenges the temptation to "settle" where comfort or popularity lies, instead urging faithful adherence to God's broader mandate to reach more people with the life-changing truth.

Mark 1 38 Commentary

Mark 1:38 captures Jesus' absolute commitment to His divine mission. Despite the immense crowds drawn by His healing power in Capernaum, Jesus prioritizes the spreading of the Kingdom message. He could have remained a popular miracle-worker in one place, but He resists this pull. His prayer in Mark 1:35 likely clarified this divine directive. This verse serves as a crucial reorientation of focus from immediate need and popular demand to the long-term, divinely ordained purpose of proclaiming the Good News everywhere. It underscores that healing and exorcisms were powerful demonstrations of the Kingdom, but the core of His mission was its proclamation. Jesus is not merely a healer or wonder-worker; He is the herald of God's Kingdom. This focus also models for His disciples and for us that ministry is not driven by convenience, popularity, or perceived success, but by the will and commission of God, demanding itinerancy and the widespread dissemination of the Gospel.Example: A church might achieve great success and growth in one area through community programs, but true mission calls them to also evangelize and plant seeds in neighboring unreached areas, understanding their broader "sending."