Mark 1:40 kjv

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.

Mark 1:40 nkjv

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."

Mark 1:40 niv

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."

Mark 1:40 esv

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean."

Mark 1:40 nlt

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.

Mark 1 verses

Mark 1 40 Meaning

Mark 1:40 recounts the dramatic approach of a leper to Jesus, an event signifying a profound encounter between human desperation and divine compassion and power. The leper, ritually and socially ostracized, kneels and humbly yet confidently appeals to Jesus' authority, stating, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." This verse introduces the core themes of faith, humility, Jesus' unparalleled ability to heal and purify, and His willingness to cross societal and religious boundaries for the sake of restoration.

Mark 1 40 Context

Mark 1 sets the stage for Jesus' public ministry. It begins with John the Baptist preparing the way, Jesus' baptism and temptation, the calling of the first disciples, and then His authoritative teaching and mighty works. Chapters 1:21-39 detail a day in Capernaum filled with teaching, casting out demons, and healing many sick, including Peter's mother-in-law. This activity draws immense crowds, prompting Jesus to withdraw for prayer (Mk 1:35) before proclaiming the kingdom throughout Galilee (Mk 1:38-39).

The encounter with the leper in Mark 1:40 follows directly after this period of widespread ministry and private withdrawal. Historically and culturally, a leper (one with tzara'at) was among the most outcast individuals in ancient Jewish society. Under the Levitical law, they were considered ceremonially unclean, had to live outside the community, and declare themselves "unclean" to anyone approaching (Lev 13:45-46). Their disease was often associated with divine judgment. Contact with a leper rendered a clean person unclean. The act of the leper approaching Jesus was audacious and defied these deep-seated customs. Jesus' subsequent response, especially His willingness to touch the leper (as revealed in Mark 1:41), fundamentally challenged and transcended these established boundaries, demonstrating His unique divine authority and compassion. This miracle was not just a physical healing but a restoration to full communal and religious life, signifying Jesus' power to bring comprehensive restoration.

Mark 1 40 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction, yet in Mark's narrative, it often signifies an immediate continuation or a sudden development, maintaining a rapid, action-oriented pace.
• there came (ἔρχεται - erchetai): Present tense ("comes" or "is coming"), a characteristic Markan historical present, creating a sense of immediacy and vividness, as if the event is unfolding before the reader's eyes. It emphasizes the leper's decisive action to approach Jesus.
• a leper (λεπρός - lepros): One afflicted with leprosy (tzara'at), a severe and often progressive skin disease. It encompassed more than modern Hansen's disease, including various chronic dermatological conditions. Crucially, "leper" signifies someone not just physically ill, but socially isolated, ritually defiled, and often seen as divinely punished.
• to him (πρὸς αὐτὸν - pros auton): "Towards him." Emphasizes the directness of the leper's approach, which violated strict social and religious customs that dictated lepers keep their distance and announce their presence.
• beseeching him (παρακαλῶν αὐτὸν - parakalōn auton): "Calling alongside," hence "entreating," "imploring," "pleading." It conveys an urgent, fervent request, demonstrating the leper's profound desperation and earnest desire for help.
• and kneeling down (καὶ γονυπετῶν - kai gony petōn): Literally "falling on the knees." This posture signifies deep reverence, profound humility, total submission, and intense supplication. It's an act of respect and urgent appeal, acknowledging Jesus' authority or greatness.
• to him (αὐτῷ - autō): This second instance of "to him" reinforces that all of the leper's actions (beseeching, kneeling, speaking) are directed entirely and solely towards Jesus, underscoring Jesus' central role as the object of his faith and petition.
• and saying (καὶ λέγων - kai legōn): A simple verbal act, detailing the direct and succinct nature of the leper's appeal.
• If thou wilt (Ἐὰν θέλῃς - Ean thelēs): A conditional clause indicating deference to Jesus' will. It reveals that the leper is certain of Jesus' ability but humbly submits to His desire or purpose. This is not a lack of faith but a demonstration of deep trust in Jesus' sovereignty and perfect judgment.
• thou canst (δύνῃ - dynē): "You are able," "you have the power." This phrase articulates the leper's unwavering conviction in Jesus' divine omnipotence to perform the miraculous. It's a statement of profound faith that Jesus possessed power beyond human capabilities.
• make me clean (με καθαρίσαι - me katharisai): "To purify me," "to cleanse me." Katharizō signifies more than just physical healing. It implies a restoration to ritual purity, allowing the leper to rejoin society and participate in religious life. It also carries the spiritual connotation of cleansing from sin and defilement, pointing towards Jesus' ultimate role as purifier.

Words-group analysis:

• "A leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying": This sequence of actions powerfully conveys the leper's utter desperation, humility, and faith. His approach violates social norms, emphasizing his unwavering belief that Jesus is his only hope. His multiple gestures of reverence signify deep respect and trust.
• "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean": This specific utterance is a model of faith that balances certainty in God's power with humble submission to His will. It expresses conviction in Jesus' capacity for the impossible ("thou canst") while respecting His sovereign decision ("If thou wilt"). The plea to be "made clean" is comprehensive, addressing not only the physical disease but also the profound social and spiritual defilement associated with leprosy, signifying a desire for total restoration.

Mark 1 40 Bonus section

• The Uniqueness of the Leper's Faith: Unlike some other instances where Jesus demands faith ("Your faith has made you well"), here the leper's profound faith is expressed as the precondition for his appeal. He acknowledges Jesus' power explicitly without needing to be prompted, which makes his request deeply compelling.
• Symbolism of Cleansing: The healing of the leper held profound theological significance for a Jewish audience. Leprosy was widely viewed as a "living death," a symbol of sin's corrupting power and alienation from God's presence. Jesus' ability to cleanse the leper foreshadows His ultimate mission to cleanse humanity from the defilement of sin, making reconciliation with God possible. This physical restoration points to the deeper spiritual purification He offers.
• Inversion of Purity Laws: Under the Levitical law, contact with an unclean person (like a leper) made a clean person unclean. Jesus, by choosing to engage with and even touch the leper (Mk 1:41), did not become defiled; rather, His divine purity supernaturally conveyed cleanness to the unclean. This illustrates a foundational principle of the Kingdom of God—that holiness expands and transforms rather than contracting or becoming contaminated by impurity.

Mark 1 40 Commentary

Mark 1:40 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting His divine compassion and authority. The leper's daring approach, marked by profound humility (kneeling) and unwavering faith in Jesus' power ("thou canst"), defies every social and religious barrier. He seeks not only physical healing but also the comprehensive "cleansing" (katharizō) that would restore his ritual purity, social standing, and dignity. This prayer, acknowledging Jesus' ability while deferring to His will, stands as a testament to mature faith. The subsequent interaction, especially Jesus' willingness to touch the leper (Mk 1:41), is a radical act that transcends Old Testament ceremonial laws, showcasing Jesus' unique authority to make clean what was deemed unclean, signifying His capacity to purify even the most defiled. It illustrates that Jesus' concern for human suffering overrode strict ritualistic observance, revealing the heart of the New Covenant's emphasis on grace and true purification.