Mark 1:44 Meaning and Explanation
“And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus tells him to say nothing to anyone, but to show himself to the priest and offer what Moses commanded as a testimony to them.
What Does Mark 1:44 Mean?
The charge has two parts: tell no one, and go show thyself to the priest, bringing the offering Moses commanded for cleansing (Leviticus 14). Only the priest could certify the healing and restore the man to the community, so Jesus sends him first to fulfill that provision before any public telling.
Jesus honors the order God had given through Moses even as his power exceeds anything the law could do, and he turns the man's restored body into evidence, a testimony laid quietly before the priests: the cleansing of lepers had begun in Israel. Obedience was to come before publicity. The most eloquent witness the man could offer was a certified, transformed life, and the same is true of every healed soul since.
Mark 1:44 in the Original Language
martyrion (μαρτύριον), 'testimony' -- a witness, evidence presented as proof.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 1:44
What does Mark 1:44 mean?
Jesus tells him to say nothing to anyone, but to show himself to the priest and offer what Moses commanded as a testimony to them.