Mark 1:40

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} there came {G2064} a leper {G3015} to {G4314} him {G846}, beseeching {G3870} him {G846}, and {G2532} kneeling down {G1120} to him {G846}, and {G2532} saying {G3004} unto him {G846},{G3754} If {G1437} thou wilt {G2309}, thou canst {G1410} make {G2511} me {G3165} clean {G2511}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A man afflicted with tzara`at came to Yeshua and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."

Berean Standard Bible

Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 1:40 powerfully depicts a desperate leper's encounter with Jesus, highlighting his profound humility and unwavering faith. Despite the severe social and religious ostracization associated with his condition, the leper boldly approaches Jesus, kneeling in supplication, and declares his absolute conviction in Jesus' ability to heal him, appealing only to His willingness to do so. This poignant interaction sets the stage for a remarkable demonstration of Jesus' compassion and divine authority over disease and ceremonial uncleanness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This encounter with the leper occurs early in Jesus' Galilean ministry, immediately following a period of intense activity in Capernaum. Mark 1:21-39 details Jesus' authoritative teaching in the synagogue, His casting out of an unclean spirit, and the healing of Simon's mother-in-law, followed by a multitude of healings and exorcisms throughout the city. Jesus then withdraws to pray and subsequently announces His intention to preach in other towns, stating, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth" ([Mark 1:38](/mark/1-38 "Mark 1:38 - Jesus' Mission to Preach")). The leper's audacious approach interrupts this itinerant preaching, yet Jesus' response underscores His mission to bring holistic restoration, not just through words but through compassionate action, demonstrating His authority over the physical realm, social barriers, and ceremonial law.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, leprosy (Hebrew: _tzara'at_) was a devastating and highly stigmatized condition, encompassing a range of severe skin diseases, not limited to modern Hansen's disease. According to Mosaic Law, individuals afflicted with leprosy were considered ceremonially unclean and were legally compelled to live in isolation outside the community, crying out "Unclean! Unclean!" to warn others ([Leviticus 13:45-46](/leviticus/13-45-46 "Leviticus 13:45-46 - Laws for the Leper")). They were forbidden from social interaction, temple worship, and even physical contact with others, rendering them spiritual and social pariahs. The leper's act of approaching Jesus, let alone kneeling before Him, was a profound and dangerous breach of these deeply ingrained societal and religious norms, driven by an extraordinary level of desperation and hope.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 1:40 introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout the Gospel. First, the leper's plea, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean," highlights **Profound Faith**. He possesses an absolute conviction in Jesus' power (_"thou canst"_) and appeals only to His compassionate will (_"If thou wilt"_), demonstrating a deep trust in Jesus' sovereignty. Second, the narrative underscores **Jesus' Authority and Power** not only over physical ailments but also over the ceremonial uncleanness that isolated the leper. This healing, further detailed in [Mark 1:41-42](/mark/1-41-42 "Mark 1:41-42 - Jesus Heals the Leper"), signifies Jesus' ability to restore individuals to physical health, social inclusion, and spiritual purity. Third, the leper's actions exemplify **Desperation and Boldness**, as he defies profound social stigma and religious prohibitions to seek help, illustrating that no one is too outcast or "unclean" for Jesus' attention and restorative power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **leper (Greek, _leprós'_):** From the same root as _lépra_ (leprosy), this term refers to someone afflicted with a scaly skin disease, often identified with the biblical condition of leprosy. In the ancient world, this condition carried immense social and religious stigma, rendering the individual ceremonially unclean and outcast from society. The presence of a "leper" in this verse immediately sets a scene of profound human suffering and societal exclusion.
* **kneeling down (Greek, _gonypetéō'_):** Derived from a compound word meaning "to fall on the knee," this verb describes the leper's posture of profound humility, reverence, and supplication. Kneeling was a common posture of prayer, worship, and earnest entreaty in the ancient world. For a leper, who was typically shunned, to kneel before Jesus signifies an extraordinary act of desperation, faith, and recognition of Jesus' unique authority and holiness.
* **canst (Greek, _dýnamai'_):** This verb signifies the ability or possibility to do something, to "be able" or "be of power." The leper's declaration, "thou canst make me clean," is a powerful affirmation of his absolute conviction in Jesus' inherent power and capacity to perform the miracle. He does not doubt Jesus' ability; his only question pertains to Jesus' willingness.
* **clean (Greek, _katharízō'_):** From _katharós_ (pure), this verb means "to cleanse" or "to purify," both literally and figuratively. For the leper, being made "clean" meant more than just physical healing; it implied restoration to ceremonial purity, allowing him to re-enter society, participate in religious life, and be free from the defilement associated with his disease. This word carries significant theological weight, foreshadowing Jesus' ultimate work of spiritual cleansing from sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there came a leper to him":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the extraordinary nature of the encounter. A leper, legally and socially compelled to remain isolated, actively seeks out Jesus. This act is one of immense courage and desperation, defying all conventional boundaries and highlighting the leper's profound hope.
* **"beseeching him, and kneeling down to him":** These actions underscore the leper's humility, earnestness, and reverence. "Beseeching" (Greek, _parakaléō_) conveys a strong sense of urgent appeal or imploration. "Kneeling down" (Greek, _gonypetéō_) is a posture of deep respect, submission, and desperate petition, indicating that the leper recognized Jesus' unique authority and power, approaching Him as one would approach a divine or royal figure.
* **"and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean":** This is the heart of the leper's plea, revealing both his profound faith and his understanding of Jesus' sovereignty. He expresses absolute certainty in Jesus' _ability_ ("thou canst," G1410 _dýnamai_), making it clear that his only question is concerning Jesus' _willingness_ ("If thou wilt," G2309 _thélō_). The request to be made "clean" (G2511 _katharízō_) encompasses not just physical healing but also restoration to ceremonial purity, social acceptance, and spiritual wholeness, reflecting the comprehensive defilement associated with leprosy.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 1:40 employs several powerful literary devices. The scene is imbued with **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy for the leper's plight—his physical suffering, social ostracism, and desperate hope. The very act of his approach, given his condition, creates a dramatic tension that immediately draws the reader in. **Symbolism** is also central, as leprosy in the biblical context often served as a powerful symbol of sin and its defiling, isolating effects. Thus, the leper's plea to be made "clean" carries a deeper spiritual resonance, foreshadowing Jesus' power to cleanse from spiritual impurity. Furthermore, there is a striking **Contrast** between the leper's "unclean" status and the holiness of Jesus, and between the societal mandate for isolation and the leper's bold, direct approach to the Lord. This contrast highlights Jesus' radical compassion and His willingness to transcend human-made barriers and ritualistic distinctions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This encounter profoundly illustrates the nature of God's compassion and power in the person of Jesus. The leper's faith, expressed in his conviction of Jesus' ability, serves as a model for all who approach God with their deepest needs. Jesus' subsequent action (detailed in the following verses) demonstrates that His divine will is perfectly aligned with His divine power and compassion. He is not only able but also willing to restore those who are outcast, broken, and defiled, offering a holistic cleansing that transcends physical healing to encompass social and spiritual restoration. This miracle foreshadows the ultimate cleansing from sin that Jesus would accomplish through His atoning work, making the "unclean" clean and bringing the estranged back into fellowship with God.

* [Matthew 8:2-4](/matthew/8-2-4 "Matthew 8:2-4 - Matthew's Account of the Leper's Healing")
* [Luke 5:12-14](/luke/5-12-14 "Luke 5:12-14 - Luke 5:12-14 - Luke's Account of the Leper's Healing")
* [Leviticus 14:1-32](/leviticus/14-1-32 "Leviticus 14:1-32 - The Ritual for Cleansing a Leper")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 1:40 offers profound encouragement and a powerful call to faith for believers today. Just as the leper, burdened by his physical and social "uncleanness," dared to approach Jesus, we are invited to come to Him with all our brokenness, shame, and perceived inadequacies. The leper's unwavering belief in Jesus' power, coupled with his humble appeal to Jesus' will, teaches us to trust not only in God's omnipotence but also in His boundless compassion and desire to heal and restore. No condition is too dire, no sin too great, no past too stained for Jesus' cleansing touch. This verse reminds us that true cleansing—physical, emotional, and spiritual—comes from an encounter with Christ, who is both able and willing to make us whole. It challenges us to shed our fears of rejection and boldly lay our needs before Him, confident in His loving response.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unclean" or isolating conditions in your life are you hesitant to bring before Jesus?**
* **How does the leper's distinction between Jesus' "will" and "ability" challenge or affirm your own understanding of God's sovereignty and compassion?**
* **In what ways can you emulate the leper's boldness and humility in your prayer life and approach to Christ?**
* **Beyond physical healing, what does "being made clean" mean for you in a spiritual and relational sense?**

### FAQ
**Why was leprosy so significant in biblical times, and what did "clean" truly mean for the leper?**

Answer: In biblical times, "leprosy" (Hebrew: _tzara'at_) referred to a variety of severe, often chronic, skin conditions. Its significance stemmed not only from its physical debilitation but primarily from its profound religious and social implications. According to Mosaic Law, a leper was deemed ceremonially "unclean" ([Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Leprosy")). This meant they were cut off from the community, unable to participate in temple worship, and forbidden from touching or being touched by others. To be made "clean" (Greek: _katharízō_) for the leper therefore implied a multifaceted restoration: physical healing from the disease, reinstatement of ceremonial purity, and, most crucially, reintegration into society and the religious life of Israel. It was a restoration of their entire personhood—body, soul, and social standing—a profound act of grace and healing.

**What is the significance of the leper kneeling and saying, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean"?**

Answer: The leper's act of kneeling (Greek: _gonypetéō_) is a posture of profound humility, reverence, and desperate supplication, acknowledging Jesus' superior authority and holiness. His specific phrasing, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean," is highly significant. It demonstrates an absolute, unwavering faith in Jesus' *ability* (Greek: _dýnamai_) to heal him. He has no doubt that Jesus possesses the power. His only question pertains to Jesus' *willingness* (Greek: _thélō_). This indicates a deep understanding of sovereignty, recognizing that while God is all-powerful, He also acts according to His perfect will. It's a humble yet bold request, trusting completely in Jesus' compassion and divine prerogative, rather than demanding a miracle.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The encounter with the leper in Mark 1:40 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The leper's desperate plea for "cleansing" foreshadows humanity's universal need for spiritual purification from the defilement of sin. Just as leprosy rendered an individual outcast and ceremonially unclean, so too does sin separate humanity from a holy God ([Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your Sins Have Separated You")). Jesus' willingness to allow the leper to approach, and His subsequent compassionate touch (as detailed in [Mark 1:41](/mark/1-41 "Mark 1:41 - Jesus Touches the Leper")), powerfully prefigures His identification with our brokenness and His ultimate sacrifice. On the cross, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, became "sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), bearing our infirmities and taking upon Himself the "uncleanness" of our sin ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). Through His shed blood, He offers a complete and eternal cleansing, purifying not just our bodies but our consciences from dead works to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). The leper's restoration to community and worship points to Christ's work of reconciling us to God and to one another, making us part of His holy body, the Church, "that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word" ([Ephesians 5:26](/ephesians/5-26 "Ephesians 5:26 - Christ Cleanses the Church")). Jesus is not only able but eternally willing to make us clean.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 5:12

¶ And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on [his] face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Luke 5:14

And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Matthew 8:2

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Matthew 8:4

And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Leviticus 13:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,

Leviticus 13:14

But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.

Matthew 17:14

¶ And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a [certain] man, kneeling down to him, and saying,