Question 1

What does Mark 1:38 mean?

Accepted Answer

Mark 1:38 records Jesus telling his disciples that they should go to the nearby towns so he can preach there as well, because that is the purpose for which he came. Jesus is explaining that his mission is not limited to one place or group, but is meant to reach many people in different areas. In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples after a busy time of healing and teaching in Capernaum. The disciples want him to stay where he is, but Jesus insists on moving to other towns. This shows that spreading his message widely is central to his work, not just staying where he is already known or popular.

Question 2

The Greek behind Mark 1:38

Accepted Answer

The word for "preach" is κηρύξω (kēryxō), which means to proclaim or announce publicly. This highlights that Jesus’s work involves openly sharing his message, not keeping it private or limited to a select group. The phrase "for therefore came I forth" uses the Greek word ἐξῆλθον (exēlthon), meaning "I came out" or "I went forth." This suggests a sense of being sent with a purpose, emphasizing that Jesus’s movement from place to place is intentional and part of his mission.

Question 3

Why Mark 1:38 matters

Accepted Answer

Mark 1:38 clarifies that Jesus’s mission is outward-looking and expansive, not focused on building a following in just one location. This verse helps correct the idea that Jesus’s work was only about healing or performing miracles; his main goal was to proclaim his message broadly. Mark 1:38 connects to the wider theme in Mark’s Gospel of Jesus as a traveling teacher and preacher, always moving forward to reach new people.

Mark 1:38 (KJV)