And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

MARK 1:35KJV
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Mark 1:35 (KJV)

What does Mark 1:35 mean?

Mark 1:35 shows Jesus making time to pray away from other people, before the day’s activity began. After an evening when many people came to him, Jesus rose very early and sought a place where he could be alone.

The phrase “a great while before day” places the scene in darkness, well before sunrise. Mark presents the prayer as something Jesus does apart from the crowds who had gathered around him.

The Greek behind Mark 1:35

  • “solitary” — ἔρημος (erēmos): The word can describe a deserted or uninhabited place. Here it suggests a place away from settled areas, not necessarily a sandy desert.
  • “prayed” — προσεύχομαι (proseuchomai): The word means to pray or speak to God. Its form here presents Jesus as engaged in prayer, rather than merely mentioning a single brief moment.

Why Mark 1:35 matters

  • Jesus’ absence becomes important in the next part of the account. Simon and those with him go looking for Jesus, and when they find him, they say, “All men seek for thee” (Mark 1:36–37).
  • The quiet setting contrasts with the demands awaiting Jesus. After being found, Jesus speaks of going to nearby towns to preach there too (Mark 1:38).

Where else these words appear

“morning” Greek G4404 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
  • Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
  • Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

“there” Greek G2546 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
  • Mark 1:38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
  • Acts 17:13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

“while” Greek G3029 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Mark 6:51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

“solitary” Greek G2048 · used in 50 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Luke 1:80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
  • John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.