35And rising very early, while it was still night, he went out and departed to a desolate place, and there he was praying. [1:36] And Simon and those with him pursued him, [1:37] and they found him and said to him, 'Everyone is seeking you.' [1:38] And he said to them, 'Let us go elsewhere into the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim there also — for that is what I came out for.' [1:39] And he went throughout all Galilee, proclaiming in their synagogues and casting out demons.
MRK 1:35-39
Jesus Prays and Preaches
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, the practice of rising early, especially in the dead of night , was often associated with prayer or spiritual discipline, particularly among Jewish teachers and ascetics. Jesus’ retreat to a solitary place aligns with this cultural expectation of seeking communion with God away from distractions. Simon and his companions’ pursuit reflects the urgency and intensity of their concern, likely driven by the growing crowds seeking Jesus for healing or teaching. Their statement, 'Everyone seeks You,' underscores Jesus’ rising prominence and the pressure of public demand. Jesus’ decision to move to other villages highlights his itinerant ministry strategy, focusing on preaching in synagogues , which were central to Jewish communal life and teaching. Synagogues served as hubs for religious instruction, social gatherings, and local governance, making them strategic locations for proclaiming his message. This passage reflects the tension between Jesus’ mission to preach broadly and the immediate demands of those seeking him.
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How other translations render this
MRK 1:35
- KJV
- And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
- BSB
- Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray.
- Koinōnos
- And rising very early, while it was still night, he went out and departed to a desolate place, and there he was praying.
MRK 1:36
- KJV
- And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
- BSB
- Simon and his companions went to look for Him,
- Koinōnos
- And Simon and those with him pursued him,
MRK 1:37
- KJV
- And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
- BSB
- and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!”
- Koinōnos
- and they found him and said to him, 'Everyone is seeking you.
MRK 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.
- BSB
- But Jesus answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.”
- Koinōnos
- And he said to them, 'Let us go elsewhere into the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim there also — for that is what I came out for.
MRK 1:39
- KJV
- And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
- BSB
- So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
- Koinōnos
- And he went throughout all Galilee, proclaiming in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 1:35
- in night:The word translated 'in night' emphasizes that Jesus rose while it was still dark, before dawn, highlighting the early hour of his departure.
MRK 1:36
- he went after:The term translated 'he went after' suggests a diligent and persistent search, implying they actively sought Jesus out rather than just casually following.
MRK 1:38
- villages:The word translated 'villages' here refers to settlements that were larger than a simple village but not quite considered a full-fledged city, indicating a specific type of community.
MRK 1:39
- synagogues:The word translated 'synagogues' literally means 'a bringing together' or 'an assembly,' referring to both the gathering of people and the place where they gathered for worship and instruction.