Devine Scripture

Mark 1:40

What does Mark 1:40 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 1:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 1:40 means

A leper, desperate for healing, approached Jesus, kneeling and humbly stating, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." This powerful act of faith, despite the leper's social outcasting, recognized Jesus' ability and sovereignty. The leper's plea for "cleanliness" went beyond physical healing to spiritual restoration, acknowledging Jesus' authority over ritual impurity and disease.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And there cometh to him a leper, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And there cometh to him a leper, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a leper came to him and, going down on his knees before him, made a request, saying, If it is your pleasure, you have the power to make me clean.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there doth come to him a leper, calling on him, and kneeling to him, and saying to him--`If thou mayest will, thou art able to cleanse me.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him and kneeling down, said to him: If thou wilt thou canst make me clean.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there comes to him a leper, beseeching him, and falling on his knees to him, and saying to him, If thou wilt thou canst cleanse me.

Context

This verse introduces a new encounter, immediately following the general description of Jesus' Galilean ministry in verse 39. This specific interaction with a leper highlights the profound social and spiritual implications of Jesus' healing power, as ritual impurity necessitated separation. It sets the stage for Jesus' compassionate and authoritative response, defying social norms.

v.39And he went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

v.40This passage

v.41And being moved with compassion, he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou made clean.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Kings 15:5

    And Jehovah smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a separate house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the household, judging the people of the land.

  • Acts 7:60

    And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

  • 2 Kings 7:3

    Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?

  • Deuteronomy 24:8

    Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so ye shall observe to do.

  • 2 Samuel 3:29

    let it fall upon the head of Joab, and upon all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth by the sword, or that lacketh bread.

  • Leviticus 13:1

    And Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

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