Mark 1:38

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 1:38 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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.
Mark 1:38 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said unto them, let us go into the next towns, etc..] Instead of returning with his disciples to Capernaum, as they expected he would, and especially since there was such a concourse of people got together, he proposes to go to “the next towns”; or “village cities”; towns that were neither villages, nor cities, but between both, as the word signifies: hence the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Persic versions render it, “villages and cities”: and it designs such towns in which there were synagogues. The Jews distinguish between walled towns, villages, and large cities f17. They ask, “what is a large city? every one in which there are ten leisure men; if less than so, lo! it is a village.”…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he said unto them, Let us go--or, according to another reading, "Let us go elsewhere." into the next towns--rather, "unto the neighboring village-towns"; meaning those places intermediate between towns and villages, with which the western side of the Sea of Galilee was studded. that I may preach there also; for therefore came I forth--not from Capernaum, as DE WETTE miserably interprets, nor from His privacy in the desert place, as MEYER, no better; but from the Father. Compare Joh 16:28, "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world," &c.--another proof, by the way, that the lofty phraseology of the Fourth Gospel was not unknown to the authors of the others, though their…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he said unto them ... - This was said in answer to their “implied” request that he would go and meet the multitudes. “Since the anxiety to hear the truth is so great, since such multitudes are waiting to hear the word, let us go into the next towns,” etc. Next towns - Towns in the neighborhood or vicinity of Capernaum. He proposed to carry the gospel to them, rather than that multitudes should leave their homes and attend him in his ministry. The word here rendered “towns” denotes places in size between “cities” and “villages,” or large places, but without walls. For therefore came I forth - That is, came forth from God, or was sent by God. Luke, says Luke 4:43, “for therefore am I…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:38-39 Prayer (1:35) equipped Jesus to preach, teach, heal, and cast out demons. • Jesus’ mission in Galilee centered on preaching in the synagogues, where he took the opportunity to speak (1:21; Luke 4:16-30). Paul later used this same opportunity (Acts 13:5, 14-15; 14:1; 16:13; 17:1). • Jesus counted on Jewish hospitality when he traveled (cp. Mark 6:10; Gen 18:1-8; 19:1-8; Luke 10:7; Heb 13:2; 3 Jn 1:5-8). • The region of Galilee was roughly forty miles north to south and twenty-five miles east to west (sixty-five by forty kilometers). In Jesus’ day, Galilee was ruled by Herod Antipas.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Let: Luk 4:43 for: Isa 61:1-3; Luk 2:49, Luk 4:18-21; Joh 9:4, Joh 16:28, Joh 17:4, Joh 17:8 Mark 1:39”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification