Catholic liturgical translation

1Začátek evangelia o Ježíši Kristu, Synu Božím: Je psáno 2u proroka Izaiáše: 'Hle, posílám svého posla před tebou, on ti připraví cestu. 3Hlas volajícího na poušti: Připravte cestu Pánu, vyrovnejte mu stezky!' 4Když Jan Křtitel vystoupil na poušti, hlásal křest pokání, aby byly odpuštěny hříchy. 5Vycházel k němu celý judský kraj a všichni jeruzalémští obyvatelé, dávali se od něho křtít v řece Jordánu a přitom vyznávali své hříchy. 6Jan nosil šat z velbloudí srsti a kolem boků kožený pás. Živil se kobylkami a medem divokých včel. 7Kázal: »Za mnou už přichází mocnější, než jsem já; nejsem hoden, abych se sehnul a rozvázal mu řemínek u opánků. 8Já jsem vás křtil vodou, ale on vás bude křtít Duchem svatým.« 9V těch dnech přišel Ježíš z Nazareta v Galileji a dal se od Jana v Jordáně pokřtít. 10Hned jak vystupoval z vody, spatřil, že se nebe rozevřelo a že se na něho snáší Duch jako holubice. 11A z nebe se ozval hlas: »Ty jsi můj milovaný Syn, v tobě mám zalíbení!« 12A hned Duch vyvedl Ježíše na poušť. 13Byl na poušti čtyřicet dní a byl pokoušen od satana, žil tam mezi divokými zvířaty a andělé mu sloužili. 14Když byl Jan Křtitel uvězněn, přišel Ježíš do Galileje a hlásal tam Boží evangelium: 15»Naplnil se čas a přiblížilo se Boží království. Obraťte se a věřte evangeliu!« 16Když šel podél Galilejského moře, uviděl Šimona a jeho bratra Ondřeje, jak loví v moři; byli totiž rybáři. 17Ježíš jim řekl: »Pojďte za mnou, a udělám z vás rybáře lidí!« 18Ihned nechali sítě a následovali ho. 19Když popošel o něco dále, uviděl Zebedeova syna Jakuba a jeho bratra Jana, jak na lodi spravují sítě; a hned je povolal.  20Zanechali svého otce Zebedea s pomocníky na lodi a odešli za ním. 21Tak přišli do Kafarnaa. Ježíš hned v sobotu vstoupil do synagógy a učil. 22Žasli nad jeho učením, protože je učil jako ten, kdo má moc, a ne jako učitelé Zákona. 23V jejich synagóze byl právě člověk posedlý nečistým duchem. 24Začal křičet: »Co je ti po nás, Ježíši Nazaretský! Přišel jsi nás zahubit? Vím, kdo jsi: Svatý Boží!« 25Ale Ježíš mu přísně rozkázal: »Mlč a vyjdi z něho!« 26Nečistý duch posedlým zalomcoval a s velkým křikem z něho vyšel. 27Všichni užasli a ptali se jeden druhého: »Co je to? Nové učení - a s takovou mocí! I nečistým duchům poroučí, a poslouchají ho!« 28A pověst o něm se hned roznesla všude po celém galilejském kraji. 29Hned jak Ježíš vyšel ze synagógy, vstoupil s Jakubem a Janem do Šimonova a Ondřejova domu. 30Šimonova tchyně ležela v horečce. Hned mu o ní pověděli. 31Přistoupil, vzal ji za ruku a pozvedl ji. Tu jí horečka přestala a ona je obsluhovala. 32Když nastal večer a slunce zapadlo, přinášeli k němu všechny nemocné a posedlé. 33Celé město se shromáždilo u dveří. 34I uzdravil mnoho nemocných s rozličnými chorobami a vyhnal mnoho zlých duchů. Nedovoloval však zlým duchům mluvit, protože věděli, kdo je. 35Brzo ráno, ještě za tmy, vstal a vyšel ven, zašel si na opuštěné místo a tam se modlil. 36Šimon se svými druhy se pustili za ním. 37Našli ho a řekli mu: »Všichni tě hledají!« 38Odpověděl jim: »Pojďme jinam, do blízkých městeček, abych i tam kázal, protože kvůli tomu jsem přišel.« 39A procházel celou Galilejí, kázal v jejich synagógách a vyháněl zlé duchy. 40K Ježíšovi přišel jeden malomocný a na kolenou ho prosil: »Chceš-li, můžeš mě očistit.« 41Ježíš měl s ním soucit. Vztáhl ruku, dotkl se ho a řekl mu: »Chci, buď čistý!« 42A hned od něho malomocenství odešlo a byl očištěn. 43Ježíš ho hned poslal pryč a přísně mu nařídil: 44»Ne abys někomu o tom říkal! Ale jdi, ukaž se knězi a přines oběť za své očištění, jak nařídil Mojžíš - jim na svědectví.« 45On odešel, ale začal to horlivě rozhlašovat a tu událost rozšiřovat, takže Ježíš už nemohl veřejně vejít do města, ale zůstával venku na opuštěných místech. Ale přesto k němu chodili lidé odevšad.


Matthew Henry - Concise Commentary
 1   Isaiah and Malachi each spake concerning the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the ministry of John. From these prophets we may observe, that Christ, in his gospel, comes among us, bringing with him a treasure of grace, and a sceptre of government. Such is the corruption of the world, that there is great opposition to his progress. When God sent his Son into the world, he took care, and when he sends him into the heart, he takes care, to prepare his way before him. John thinks himself unworthy of the meanest office about Christ. The most eminent saints have always been the most humble. They feel their need of Christ's atoning blood and sanctifying Spirit, more than others. The great promise Christ makes in his gospel to those who have repented, and have had their sins forgiven them, is, they shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost; shall be purified by his graces, and refreshed by his comforts. We use the ordinances, word, and sacraments without profit and comfort, for the most part, because we have not of that Divine light within us; and we have it not because we ask it not; for we have his word that cannot fail, that our heavenly Father will give this light, his Holy Spirit, to those that ask it.

 9   Christ's baptism was his first public appearance, after he had long lived unknown. How much hidden worth is there, which in this world is not known! But sooner or later it shall be known, as Christ was. He took upon himself the likeness of sinful flesh; and thus, for our sakes, he sanctified himself, that we also might be sanctified, and be baptized with him, John 17:19. See how honourably God owned him, when he submitted to John's baptism. He saw the Spirit descending upon him like a dove. We may see heaven opened to us, when we perceive the Spirit descending and working upon us. God's good work in us, is sure evidence of his good will towards us, and preparations for us. As to Christ's temptation, Mark notices his being in the wilderness and that he was with the wild beasts. It was an instance of his Father's care of him, which encouraged him the more that his Father would provide for him. Special protections are earnests of seasonable supplies. The serpent tempted the first Adam in the garden, the Second Adam in the wilderness; with different success indeed; and ever since he still tempts the children of both, in all places and conditions. Company and conversation have their temptations; and being alone, even in a wilderness, has its own also. No place or state exempts, no business, not lawful labouring, eating, or drinking, not even fasting and praying; often in these duties there are the most assaults, but in them is the sweetest victory. The ministration of the good angels is matter of great comfort in reference to the malignant designs of the evil angels; but much more does it comfort us, to have the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

 14   Jesus began to preach in Galilee, after that John was put in prison. If some be laid aside, others shall be raised up, to carry on the same work. Observe the great truths Christ preached. By repentance we give glory to our Creator whom we have offended; by faith we give glory to our Redeemer who came to save us from our sins. Christ has joined these two together, and let no man think to put them asunder. Christ puts honour upon those who, though mean in this world, are diligent in their business and kind to one another. Industry and unity are good and pleasant, and the Lord Jesus commands a blessing on them. Those whom Christ calls, must leave all to follow him; and by his grace he makes them willing to do so. Not that we must needs go out of the world, but we must sit loose to the world; forsake every thing that is against our duty to Christ, and that cannot be kept without hurt to our souls. Jesus strictly kept the sabbath day, by applying himself unto, and abounding in the sabbath work, in order to which the sabbath rest was appointed. There is much in the doctrine of Christ that is astonishing; and the more we hear it, the more cause we see to admire it.

 23   The devil is an unclean spirit, because he has lost all the purity of his nature, because he acts in direct opposition to the Holy Spirit of God, and by his suggestions defiles the spirits of men. There are many in our assemblies who quietly attend under merely formal teachers; but if the Lord come with faithful ministers and holy doctrine, and by his convincing Spirit, they are ready to say, like this man, What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth! No disorder could enable a man to know Jesus to be the Holy One of God. He desires to have nothing to do with Jesus, for he despairs of being saved by him, and dreads being destroyed by him. See whose language those speak, that say to the Almighty, Depart from us. This unclean spirit hated and dreaded Christ, because he knew him to be a Holy One; for the carnal mind is enmity against God, especially against his holiness. When Christ by his grace delivers souls out of the hands of Satan, it is not without tumult in the soul; for that spiteful enemy will disquiet those whom he cannot destroy. This put all who saw it upon considering, What is this new doctrine? A work as great often is wrought now, yet men treat it with contempt and neglect. If this were not so, the conversion of a notorious wicked man to a sober, righteous, and godly life, by the preaching of a crucified Saviour, would cause many to ask, What doctrine is this?

 29   Wherever Christ comes, he comes to do good. He cures, that we may minister to him, and to others who are his, and for his sake. Those kept from public ordinances by sickness or other real hinderances, may expect the Saviour's gracious presence; he will soothe their sorrows, and abate their pains. Observe how numerous the patients were. When others speed well with Christ, it should quicken us in seeking after him. Christ departed into a solitary place. Though he was in no danger of distraction, or of temptation to vain-glory, yet he retired. Those who have the most business in public, and of the best kind, must yet sometimes be alone with God.

 40   We have here Christ's cleansing of a leper. It teaches us to apply to the Saviour with great humility, and with full submission to his will, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, without any doubt of Christ's readiness to help the distressed. See also what to expect from Christ; that according to our faith it shall be to us. The poor leper said, If thou wilt. Christ readily wills favours to those who readily refer themselves to his will. Christ would have nothing done that looked like seeking praise of the people. But no reasons now exist why we should hesitate to spread the praises of Christ.