And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

MARK 1:37KJV
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Mark 1:37 (KJV)

What does Mark 1:37 mean?

Mark 1:37 describes the moment when Simon and his companions find Jesus and tell him that many people are looking for him. Their words show that Jesus is in demand after the healings described earlier in the passage.

The verse follows the search by Simon and those with him. “All men seek for thee” conveys the strength of their impression: people are looking for Jesus, and the companions bring that news directly to him.

The Greek behind Mark 1:37

  • “All” — πᾶς (pas): The word can mean “all” or “everyone.” Here it gives the companions’ statement a sweeping force; the phrase need not be read as a count of every individual.
  • “seek” — ζητέω (zēteō): The word carries the sense of looking for or trying to find someone. It describes an active search, rather than merely an interest in Jesus.

Why Mark 1:37 matters

  • The people looking for Jesus form the backdrop to his answer. In verse 38, Jesus says that he and his companions should go to nearby towns so that he can preach there too.
  • The passage places the search after a busy evening of healing. In verses 32–34, people brought those who were ill to Jesus, and he healed many of them. That setting helps explain why his companions report such widespread interest.

Where else these words appear

“seek” Greek G2212 · used in 116 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
  • John 16:19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?