Mark 1:41 kjv

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Mark 1:41 nkjv

Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."

Mark 1:41 niv

Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"

Mark 1:41 esv

Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean."

Mark 1:41 nlt

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!"

Mark 1 verses

Mark 1 41 Meaning

Mark 1:41 describes Jesus' deeply felt compassion for a leper. Driven by this emotion, Jesus physically reaches out and touches the man, an act that would typically make one unclean according to Levitical law. He then declares with authoritative simplicity, "I will; be clean," instantly cleansing the man from his disease and impurity. This act showcases Jesus' divine power to heal and His authority over ritual uncleanness, restoring the outcast man to full participation in society and religious life.

Mark 1 41 Context

Mark Chapter 1 introduces Jesus' public ministry, starting with John the Baptist, Jesus' baptism, and temptation. Immediately after calling His first disciples, Jesus demonstrates His authority through teaching in the synagogue, casting out an unclean spirit, healing Simon's mother-in-law, and many others in Capernaum (Mk 1:21-34). He then retreats to pray, begins preaching throughout Galilee, and eventually encounters the leper in Mark 1:40. This healing narrative follows a pattern of Jesus establishing His identity and power, particularly over forces of evil and sickness, often through direct physical engagement and authoritative declaration. The historical and cultural context is crucial: leprosy (Hebrew: tsara'ath) was not merely a physical ailment but carried profound social and ritual implications, rendering sufferers untouchable and religiously unclean, forcing them into isolation outside community life (Lev 13-14). Jesus' willingness to touch the leper radically defies these norms, showcasing His unique authority and compassionate identification with the marginalized.

Mark 1 41 Word analysis

• Moved with pity (σπλαγχνισθεὶς - splagchnistheis): This Greek term literally refers to being moved in one's entrails or bowels, considered the seat of strong emotion. It denotes a deep, visceral compassion, not merely intellectual pity. This is the characteristic emotion of Jesus in Mark when confronted with human suffering (Mk 6:34, 8:2, Lk 7:13). It highlights Jesus' profound empathy, demonstrating a personal and deeply human response to the leper's plea, impelling Him to action.
• he stretched out (ἐκτείνας - ekteinas): This verb signifies a deliberate and intentional extension. Jesus does not shy away; He actively reaches out, crossing the boundary that society and purity laws had established for lepers. It prepares for the physical contact.
• his hand (τὴν χεῖρα - tēn cheira): The hand is the instrument of contact. This emphasizes the directness and physicality of Jesus' interaction, defying social and religious taboos. It’s an act of identification.
• and touched him (ἥψατο αὐτοῦ - hēpsato autou): The act of touch is profoundly significant. In Levitical law, touching a leper made one ritually unclean (Lev 5:3, Num 19:11). Here, however, Jesus' purity is not compromised; instead, His touch conveys purity and healing. It's an inversion of the expected effect, showcasing His divine power and holiness. This touch re-integrates the outcast, deliberately shattering the social isolation of the leper.
• and said to him (καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ - kai legei autō): This introduces Jesus' authoritative words that accompany His action. The combination of touch and word is potent, revealing both His power and His will. Mark frequently emphasizes Jesus' spoken word and its immediate effect.
• I will (Θέλω - Thelō): A powerful statement of divine will and volition. It responds directly to the leper's "If you will, you can make me clean" (Mk 1:40), affirming His desire to heal. It shows that healing flows from His gracious purpose, not simply from obligation.
• be clean (καθαρίσθητι - katharisthēti): This is an aorist passive imperative verb, a command for immediate and complete cleansing. It indicates not just a physical cure, but a total restoration from impurity to ritual and social acceptability. The passive voice implies that the leper is acted upon; Jesus is the agent of cleansing. The immediacy of the command ensures immediate transformation.

Mark 1 41 Bonus section

This verse is often cited as a clear example of Jesus' divine power to supersede Old Covenant purity laws. While the Old Testament laws correctly identified sickness and death as anomalies in a creation intended for life and wholeness, Jesus, being the author of life, demonstrates His ability to reverse these effects. His touch does not make Him unclean but renders the leper clean, signifying that purity flows from Him. This concept is a core theological theme, showing Jesus as the source of true spiritual and physical cleanness, challenging the perception that holiness is maintained primarily through avoidance of contamination. It sets the stage for a new understanding of God's interaction with humanity, emphasizing radical grace and restoration over rigid legalistic boundaries.

Mark 1 41 Commentary

Mark 1:41 vividly portrays Jesus' profound empathy and divine authority. His "splagchnistheis" (deep compassion) is not a fleeting emotion but a fundamental aspect of His character, driving Him to break social and religious barriers. By stretching out his hand and touching the leper, Jesus performs a subversive act, choosing contact over ritual purity, demonstrating that His holiness overcomes uncleanness rather than being defiled by it. This direct touch signifies identification, inclusion, and a reversal of the leper's ostracism. The subsequent command, "I will; be clean," highlights Jesus' supreme authority. It's an act of immediate and complete restoration, physically, socially, and religiously, manifesting God's active, compassionate will in human form. This encounter anticipates the greater spiritual cleansing from sin that Jesus offers, ultimately fulfilling prophecies of a new covenant where inward transformation transcends external rituals.