Mark 1:44 kjv

And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Mark 1:44 nkjv

and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

Mark 1:44 niv

"See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."

Mark 1:44 esv

and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them."

Mark 1:44 nlt

"Don't tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed."

Mark 1 verses

Mark 1 44 Meaning

This verse presents Jesus' instruction to a man He had just cleansed of leprosy. It carries a multifaceted meaning, emphasizing immediate silence regarding the miracle, adherence to Mosaic Law for official recognition of the healing, and a broader purpose for that adherence. Jesus directs the man to the priest for validation, fulfilling the ancient covenant's requirements for ritual cleansing, thereby providing a compelling testimony of divine power to both religious authorities and the community. It illustrates Jesus' respect for established divine ordinances while demonstrating His own unique, transformative authority over sickness and impurity.

Mark 1 44 Context

Mark Chapter 1 introduces Jesus' public ministry, starting with John the Baptist's preparatory work, Jesus' baptism, and temptation in the wilderness. Jesus then begins proclaiming the gospel of God's Kingdom, calling disciples, teaching with authority, and demonstrating power over unclean spirits in Capernaum. Prior to this verse, Jesus enters a house, teaches, and casts out a demon (1:21-28), then heals Peter’s mother-in-law (1:29-31), and many others (1:32-34). He withdraws to pray (1:35-39), and it is immediately following this, while He is traveling, that a leper approaches Him. Lepers were ostracized, ritually unclean, and effectively living outside the community according to Mosaic Law. Jesus' healing touch, an act considered defiant of the Law (as touching a leper made one unclean), demonstrated His unprecedented authority. The verse then details Jesus’ precise instructions to this man.

Mark 1 44 Word analysis

• and said to him: Connects directly to the previous action, Jesus healing the leper. This is a direct, imperative instruction from Jesus.
• 'See' (Greek: ὅρα, hora): An urgent, commanding imperative verb, meaning "look!", "beware!", or "take heed!". It implies a strict warning and immediate attention.
• that you say nothing (Greek: μηδέν εἴπῃς, mēden eipēs): A strong negative command using a subjunctive with mēden (nothing). This is a crucial instance of the "Messianic Secret" in Mark's Gospel. Jesus often silences those He heals or the demons He casts out, often interpreted as preventing misinterpretations of His Messiahship (a political king rather than suffering servant), managing crowd control, or ensuring the focus remains on His teaching and kingdom message, not solely on miraculous healings. It also allows His identity to be revealed progressively, as understood by God's timeline.
• to anyone: Emphasizes the universal scope of the command to remain silent, leaving no room for selective sharing.
• but go (Greek: ὕπαγε, hypage): An immediate, authoritative command to depart, signaling urgency and obedience.
• show yourself (Greek: δεῖξον σεαυτόν, deixon seauton): An active command, not a passive suggestion. This was the required step for reintegration into society according to the Law of Moses for those healed of leprosy. It underscores Jesus' adherence to and respect for the Mosaic Law's regulations concerning purity.
• to the priest (Greek: τῷ ἱερεῖ, tō hierei): The singular, definite article ("the priest") refers to the appointed religious authority responsible for declaring a person clean from leprosy. According to Leviticus 14, only the priest could perform the ceremonial inspection and declare the leper clean, enabling their return to normal life.
• and offer (Greek: προσένεγκε, prosnenke): Another imperative command. This refers to the specific sacrifices mandated by the Law after a leper's cleansing.
• for your cleansing (Greek: καθαρισμοῦ, katharismou): Refers to the ritual purification process. While Jesus instantaneously healed the man physically, the cleansing aspect here is the ritualistic, legal purity required by the Law to confirm the healing and permit the man's reintegration into the community. Jesus provides the actual cleansing; the priest declares it.
• what Moses commanded (Greek: ἃ προσέταξεν Μωϋσῆς, ha prosetaxen Mōysēs): This directly points to the specific ordinances in Leviticus 14 concerning the purification rites and sacrifices required for someone declared free from leprosy. Jesus explicitly upholds the Law, demonstrating that His power did not annul God's established commands. It acknowledges the divine origin of the Law given through Moses.
• for a testimony to them (Greek: εἰς μαρτύριον αὐτοῖς, eis martyrion autois): This is a crucial purpose clause.
  • Testimony (μαρτύριον, martyrion): Meaning "evidence," "witness," or "proof." It implies an objective validation.
  • To them (αὐτοῖς, autois): Most likely refers to the priests, as they are the direct recipients of the leper's showing and offerings. This would compel the religious authorities to acknowledge the miracle that had occurred. Such an acknowledged miracle, impossible by human means, would bear witness to Jesus' divine authority and power, thereby serving as undeniable proof. It could also extend to "all the people" who would see the leper restored and declared clean. It challenged the religious leaders to confront the source of this divine power.

Mark 1 44 Bonus section

The command to offer "what Moses commanded" for cleansing implicitly acknowledged that the priests themselves, through their adherence to the Law, would validate the authenticity of the miraculous healing. This put the religious establishment in a difficult position: either they denied the healing (which was verifiable) or acknowledge a profound divine intervention linked to Jesus. The act served as an undeniable, legal certificate of the miracle. This event illustrates Jesus' sovereignty over disease and defilement, as His touch, rather than making Him unclean (as per the Law, Lev 5:3; Num 19:22), made the leper clean. It demonstrates that He embodies true cleansing power, while still respecting the process designed by God for societal re-entry. The cleansing of a leper was also prophesied as a sign of the Messiah's coming, a task even priests could not perform without divine intervention.

Mark 1 44 Commentary

Mark 1:44 captures Jesus' practical and theological approach following a miraculous healing. His immediate directive for silence (part of the "Messianic Secret") prevented an outpouring of misdirected enthusiasm focused solely on physical healing rather than the kingdom message, allowing Jesus to manage His mission without immediate overwhelming notoriety that could lead to a political uprising or premature arrest. Simultaneously, by insisting the cleansed man fulfill the detailed purification rites of Leviticus 14, Jesus affirmed the divine authority of the Mosaic Law. This act not only restored the man to social and religious life but also served as undeniable evidence, "a testimony," to the very priests who held religious authority. They were confronted with a man previously declared unclean, now undeniably clean, forcing them to acknowledge a profound supernatural event. This highlighted Jesus’ divine power that accomplished what the Law could only declare, and demonstrated His respect for God’s ordinances and the structured societal order, even as He operated beyond human limitations.