King James Version

What Does Mark 1:41 Mean?

Mark 1:41 in the King James Version says “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. — study this verse from Mark chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Mark 1:41 · KJV


Context

39

And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

40

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.

41

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

42

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

43

And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Christ's compassion (Greek: splagchnizomai, moved in the inward parts) demonstrates God's heart toward the afflicted. His physical touch was revolutionary—others fled from lepers, but Jesus touched the untouchable, showing that His holiness cleanses rather than being defiled by contact with uncleanness. The immediate healing displays divine power, while the touch displays divine love—both necessary for true redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Touching a leper made one ceremonially unclean for seven days, requiring ritual purification. Jesus' willingness to touch violated purity laws, yet demonstrated His authority over the Levitical system. His touch would have been the first human contact this leper experienced in perhaps years or decades.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's touch of the leper challenge our fear of being 'contaminated' by close contact with sinners?
  2. What does the combination of compassion and power in this healing reveal about the character of God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
1 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 14

And

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἰησοῦς3 of 14

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

σπλαγχνισθεὶς4 of 14

moved with compassion

G4697

to have the bowels yearn, i.e., (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity

ἐκτείνας5 of 14

put forth

G1614

to extend

τὴν6 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χεῖρα7 of 14

his hand

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

ἥψατο8 of 14

and touched

G680

properly, to attach oneself to, i.e., to touch (in many implied relations)

αὐτῷ9 of 14

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ10 of 14

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λέγει11 of 14

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτῷ12 of 14

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Θέλω13 of 14

I will

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

καθαρίσθητι·14 of 14

be thou clean

G2511

to cleanse (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 1:41 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 1:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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