Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 1:40

"And there cometh to him a leper, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." — Mark 1:40 (ASV)

This story serves to connect 1:21–29 and 2:1–3:6—two clearly identifiable units in Mark’s gospel.

The word “leprosy” (GK 3320) was used in biblical times to designate a wide variety of serious skin diseases. It was not limited to what we know as leprosy (i.e., Hansen’s disease). The law had specific requirements for a person with a skin disease (Leviticus 13:45–46). Instead of keeping his distance from Jesus, as the law demanded, the leper came directly to him and fell down on his knees to make his plea. Having no doubt that Jesus could heal him, he wondered only whether Jesus was willing. It is sometimes easier to believe in God’s power than in his mercy.