Mark 1:36-39 · Bible study
Mark 1:36-39 Commentary: Jesus' Purpose Beyond the Crowd's Urgency
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus responds to the urgent search by Simon and the crowd by moving on to preach elsewhere, showing His mission transcends popularity.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus redirects the disciples' and the crowd's expectations from His local popularity to His broader mission of preaching. The urgent search leads not to a return to Capernaum but to a touring ministry across Galilee.
- Key words: κατεδίωξεν (katediōxen), 'pursued eagerly', only in Mark; κωμοπόλεις (kōmopoleis), 'village-towns'; ἐξῆλθον (exēlthon), 'came forth', with a debated reference.
- Main debate: Whether 'I came out' (v.38) refers to Jesus leaving Capernaum (Meyer) or His incarnation from the Father (Calvin, JFB). The decision for itinerant preaching remains the point of agreement.
- Theological theme: The priority of preaching the gospel over meeting felt needs, and the necessity of prayer before decisive moves.
- Best use: Clarifying mission focus in ministry and teaching disciples to discern between human urgency and divine calling.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
36Simon and his companions went to look for Him,
37and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!”
38But Jesus answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.”
39So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
WEB World English Bible 2000
36Simon and those who were with him searched for him.
37They found him and told him, “Everyone is looking for you.”
38He said to them, “Let’s go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because I came out for this reason.”
39He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.
KJV King James Version 1769
36And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
37And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
38And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
39And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
36And Simon and they that were with him followed after him;
37and they found him, and say unto him, All are seeking thee.
38And he saith unto them, Let us go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for to this end came I forth.
39And he went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
36and Simon and those with him went in quest of him,
37and having found him, they say to him, --`All do seek thee;'
38and he saith to them, `We may go to the next towns, that there also I may preach, for for this I came forth.'
39And he was preaching in their synagogues, in all Galilee, and is casting out the demons,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
36And Simon and those with him went after him:
37and having found him, they say to him, All seek thee.
38And he says to them, Let us go elsewhere into the neighbouring country towns, that I may preach there also, for for this purpose am I come forth.
39And he was preaching in their synagogues in the whole of Galilee, and casting out demons.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
36And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
37And when they had found him, they said to him: All seek for thee.
38And he saith to them: Let us go into the neighbouring towns and cities, that I may preach there also; for to this purpose am I come.
39And he was preaching in their synagogues and in all Galilee and casting out devils.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Mark 1:36
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that the search by Simon and his companions (v.36) is marked by intense urgency. Vincent notes that the Greek verb κατεδίωξεν (katediōxen, only in Mark) means they 'followed him eagerly, pursued him as if he were fleeing.' Simon takes the lead. When they report that 'Everyone is looking for You' (v.37), they expect Jesus to return to Capernaum. But Jesus refuses. He says, 'Let’s go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also' (v.38). The word for towns, κωμοπόλεις (kōmopoleis), denotes large villages, not walled cities. Jesus grounds His direction in a purpose statement: 'because I came out for this reason' (v.38). Calvin and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown argue that 'came out' refers to Jesus' coming from the Father into the world, while others like Meyer interpret it as leaving Capernaum. The consensus, however, is that Jesus prioritizes preaching as His central calling. Verse 39 shows Him 'preaching and casting out demons' throughout Galilee, confirming His itinerant mission.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Incarnation interpretation (came from the Father): Calvin, JFB, and others connect to John 16:28; underscores divine sending as reason for preaching.
- Local movement interpretation (came from Capernaum): Meyer and De Wette (via Lange) argue Jesus is merely leaving the house or desert; focuses on immediate geography.
What is clear: Jesus deliberately refuses to return to Capernaum despite the crowd's demand, grounding His decision in a purpose to preach, and He carries out that purpose across Galilee.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The meaning of 'came out' (ἐξῆλθον) in v.38 | Jesus is expressing His divine purpose to preach. | Some commentators (Calvin, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) see it as His coming from the Father into the world. Others (Meyer, via Lange) interpret it as a reference to leaving Capernaum or His private prayer place. |
| Why Jesus refused to return to Capernaum | Jesus chose to move on as part of His mission to reach more people with preaching. | Some see a direct rejection of popularity or 'success' (Matthew Henry); others (Barnes) emphasize the necessity of carrying the gospel to those who would not come. Calvin adds that a brief tour was appropriate to awaken the whole region. |
| The role of Simon in this episode | Simon takes the lead in the search, showing his early prominence among the disciples. | Clarke implies Simon's zeal is commendable ('they thought they could never hear too much'). Others (Cambridge Bible) note his 'impulsiveness' and suggest it may reflect a limited understanding of Jesus' mission at this point. |
| The nature of the crowd's seeking | The crowd wanted Jesus, for healing, teaching, or curiosity. | Clarke says motives were mixed, with some seeking for good and others possibly for 'no good motive.' Gill similarly notes various categories (to hear, to be healed, to see miracles). |
| The significance of the word κωμοπόλεις (village-towns) | The word is unique in the New Testament and describes settlements between villages and cities. | No significant disagreement noted. Some manuscripts (Codex Bezae, Itala) add 'and into the cities' (per Clarke). |
Historical & Cultural Context
The events follow a dramatic evening in Capernaum (Mark 1:32-34), where the whole city gathered at Peter's door and Jesus healed many. In v.35, Jesus rises before dawn to pray in a solitary place. This habit of prayer is noted by Barnes and Matthew Henry as foundational to His public work. Simon then takes a party to track Jesus down. The verb κατεδίωξαν is strong: the Cambridge Bible says it occurs only here in the New Testament and denotes 'to pursue closely, to track out', almost hostile. This emphasizes the disciples' anxiety.
The location of Capernaum on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee made it a hub; but Jesus chooses to move to the 'next towns,' the κωμοπόλεις. These were not villages or cities but intermediate settlements. Galilee at the time was densely populated, with a network of such towns.
When Jesus preaches in 'their synagogues,' the phrase is emphatic. Lange notes the accusative case twice in v.39, stressing that Jesus filled the synagogues with a powerful preaching that contrasted with the usual style. Synagogues were central to Jewish community life, functioning for prayer, Scripture reading, and teaching on the Sabbath. Jesus' pattern of preaching there reveals His mission to reach Jewish communities systematically.
The crowd's statement 'Everyone is looking for you' echoes a pattern seen later in John's Gospel (John 3:26, 12:19) where popularity causes concern. Jesus' response shows He is not swayed by public acclaim. His mission, to preach the kingdom of God, had been announced in Mark 1:14-15. Here He reaffirms it despite pressure. This passage thus presents a decisive moment: Jesus clears away the expectations of the crowd and even of His closest disciples to focus on a wider proclamation. The prayer and purpose together define His ministry.
Textual Notes
Consulted sources note one variant: in verse 38, some manuscripts (including Codex Bezae and Itala versions) add 'and into the cities' after 'towns' (Clarke). Another reading substitutes 'let us go elsewhere' (ἀλλαχοῦ) for the simpler 'let us go' (JFB mentions this variant). The meaning is not materially altered. No further significant textual variants are identified.
Reception History
How has this passage been used in church history? Early and medieval interpreters often highlighted Jesus' prayer as an example of the contemplative life grounding active ministry. Reformers like Calvin saw Jesus' refusal to stay as a model for ministers: they should not be bound to one place but go where the gospel is needed. Matthew Henry stressed that Christ 'continued to do good' rather than rest on His fame. In modern missionary contexts, the passage is frequently cited as a biblical basis for itinerant evangelism and the priority of church planting over institution building. Across denominations, the episode illustrates that Jesus' mission was not driven by public opinion but by obedience to His Father's sending.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Urgent Search, Simon and his companions pursue Jesus with great determination. They represent the crowd's desire to keep Him near.
- The Crowd's Demand, 'Everyone is looking for You' signals a success that could trap Jesus in one place, limited to meeting immediate needs.
- The Redirected Mission, Jesus instead moves on, grounding His decision in the purpose for which He came. Preaching takes priority over popularity.
Five-point outline
- Prayer before the decision (v.35), Jesus withdraws to pray, which anchors His subsequent move.
- The disciples' pursuit (v.36), They seek Him because they cannot imagine losing the momentum.
- The crowd's report (v.37), They convey the public's desire; but that is not the same as God's will.
- Jesus' counter-proposal (v.38), He names a different direction, rooted in His sending.
- Fulfillment of the purpose (v.39), He preaches and casts out demons across Galilee, showing that obedience to the mission bears fruit.
Illustration hooks
- A church that has just seen a revival weekend but whose pastor senses a call to plant a church in a less responsive area.
- A Christian worker in a city where everyone wants their time, but they feel led to spend time in prayer before deciding where to serve.
- A new believer who is overwhelmed by the attention of friends now seeking them for spiritual advice, learning to point them to Jesus rather than staying central.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why didn't Jesus stay where He was obviously needed? Doesn't success prove God's blessing?
- How do I discern between a genuine open door from God and the pull of human expectation?
- What does this passage say about the balance between prayer and action in ministry decisions?
Leading a Discussion
This short passage captures a moment when the disciples and the crowd expect Jesus to capitalize on His popularity in Capernaum. Instead, He moves on to preach in other towns. The tension between what people want and what Jesus came to do is central.
Discussion questions
- What does the way Simon and the others search for Jesus (v.36) tell you about their state of mind? Why do you think they were so eager?
- The crowd says, 'Everyone is looking for You.' In what ways might the crowd's motives have been mixed (see Clarke)?
- Jesus responds by suggesting they go to 'the next towns.' What does this reveal about His priorities?
- The phrase 'for this reason I came out' is key. How does understanding this as Jesus' mission from the Father (Calvin) affect your view of His decision?
- Verse 35 (Jesus at prayer) is the background. How does secret prayer equip a person to resist the pressure of urgent demands?
- Have you ever been in a situation where a 'good' opportunity or urgent request actually distracted you from a deeper calling? How did you respond?
- How can we, as a group, help one another stay focused on the mission God has given us rather than simply responding to what people expect?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Zechariah 11:11 | It was broken in that day; and thus the poor of the flock that listened to me knew that it was Yahweh’s word. |
| Mark 1:5 | All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. |
| John 3:26 | They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.” |
| John 11:48 | If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” |
| John 12:19 | The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him.” |
| Isaiah 61:1 | The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to those who are bound, |
| Isaiah 61:3 | to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified. |
| Luke 2:49 | He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke stresses that Jesus did not wait for people to come to him but actively sought out every town and village to preach. This sets an example for ministers: they must go to all people within reach, offering salvation urgently and tirelessly, copying Christ's own zealous, persevering diligence.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes emphasizes that Jesus, though perfectly holy, still rose early to pray in secret, proving that morning prayer is essential for everyone. He argues that the quality of one's religious experience throughout the entire day depends directly on how faithfully that early time with God is kept.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that Christ's itinerant preaching was not restlessness but deliberate obedience to the Father's call. He needed to travel throughout Judea in a short time, awakening people everywhere to the Gospel like a trumpet blast. This was Christ's specific appointed mission, not a general model for all ministers.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge note highlights the unusual Greek word describing how Simon and the others "followed after" Jesus. It means to pursue closely or track someone, often with hostile intent, though here it carries the good sense of Psalm 23:6, "mercy shall follow me." Jesus then moved on to other nearby villages rather than confine his presence to one place.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that Jesus did not return to Capernaum despite the crowd seeking him, because his mission from the Father was to preach throughout all Galilee, not just one city. The disciples wanted to capitalize on the popular demand, but Jesus saw the crowd's interest as secondary to his wider commission.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB insists that Christ's statement "for therefore came I forth" refers to His coming from the Father, not merely from Capernaum or the desert. He sees this as evidence that the lofty language of John's Gospel is also present in Mark, albeit from a different perspective.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange reads Jesus’ words “for therefore came I forth” as referring to His coming from the Father to preach, not merely leaving Capernaum. He stresses that Christ deliberately elevated preaching above individual healings as His great vocation, even when pressed by the crowds.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that Jesus did not rest on his growing reputation but kept doing good, showing that his aim was to help others, not his own honor. He also emphasizes Christ's humility in leaving the synagogue's authority to converse familiarly with poor fishermen, calling readers to adopt that same lowly mind.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent notes that "followed after" uses a Greek verb found only in Mark, suggesting Simon and the others pursued Jesus eagerly, as if he were fleeing from them. He also highlights that "all" are seeking him, a detail unique to Mark, and that the "towns" are suburban villages surrounding Capernaum.