Mark 1:38
And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus redirects the disciples' enthusiasm for ministry, not to linger in the success of Capernaum, but to intentionally reach "next towns"—places that were more than villages but not quite cities. His purpose wasn't just to heal, but to "proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God," which is precisely why he "came out" or was sent.
After a whirlwind of healing and casting out demons in Capernaum, Jesus, recognizing the immense crowds seeking him, decides it's time to move on. He tells his disciples they need to go to the surrounding towns and villages too, because spreading God's message is the very reason he was sent into the world. This sets the stage for a wider ministry tour throughout Galilee, not just staying in one place.
Jesus just healed a crowd of people, but He's already looking to move on. Why the rush?
Jesus' response in this verse reveals His intense focus on His mission. While the crowds pressing in on Him were significant, Jesus wasn't content to stay in one place. He saw the need to spread the good news of God's kingdom to "the next towns." This wasn't a casual suggestion; it was driven by a divine purpose.
A Mission with a Deadline
His statement, "for that is why I came out," echoes Luke's fuller account: "for that purpose I was sent" (Luke 4:43). Jesus understood His coming into the world was not to linger but to actively proclaim the arrival of God's reign. Every moment was precious in fulfilling this mandate.
Jesus mentions going to 'towns.' What kind of places were these, and what does it tell us about His outreach?
The word Jesus uses for 'towns' here (in Greek, 'komo-poleis') isn't referring to large, walled cities. Instead, it describes smaller, village-like towns or rural centers. These were places often overlooked, nestled between the larger settlements.
Reaching the Unreached
Jesus wasn't just aiming for the urban centers. His mission included going to these smaller communities. This shows a deliberate effort to reach all segments of the population, not just those in prominent locations. His ministry was inclusive, extending His message of the kingdom to places that might otherwise be neglected.
Understand the original words
kēryssō · Greek Verb
A public proclamation or announcement, typically referring to the heralding of the good news of the Kingdom of God and the call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
c. 4 BC
Jesus' Birth and Early Years
Jesus is born in Bethlehem and spends his childhood in Nazareth, Galilee.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist Begins Ministry
John the Baptist starts his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, preaching repentance and baptizing.
c. AD 28
Jesus' Baptism and Temptation
Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River, after which he is tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days.
c. AD 28
Jesus Calls First Disciples
Jesus begins calling his first disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John, near the Sea of Galilee.
c. AD 28
Jesus Heals Simon's Mother-in-Law
Jesus heals Simon Peter's mother-in-law of a fever in Capernaum, demonstrating his power over illness.
This verse echoes Jesus' core purpose, mirroring His statement in Mark 1:38 about why He 'came out' – to bring salvation and fulfill His divine mission.
Luke 4:43Luke clarifies Jesus' statement in Mark 1:38, explicitly stating 'for that is why I was sent,' emphasizing the purposeful and divinely ordained nature of His preaching mission.
Acts 1:8This verse provides the disciples' mandate to be witnesses 'in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth,' which aligns with Jesus' outward movement in Mark 1:38 to spread the message beyond a single location.
Matthew 28:19-20The Great Commission in Matthew provides the ultimate trajectory for Jesus' mission, showing that His initial 'coming out' to preach in nearby towns was the foundational step toward His global purpose.
vincentMark 1:38: "And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth."
Towns (κωμοπόλεις)Lit., village-towns, suburban towns.
barnesMark 1:38: "And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth."
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 t…
Jesus redirects the disciples' enthusiasm for ministry, not to linger in the success of Capernaum, but to intentionally reach "next towns"—places that were more than villages but not quite cities. His purpose wasn't just to heal, but to "proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God," which is precisely why he "came out" or was sent.
After a whirlwind of healing and casting out demons in Capernaum, Jesus, recognizing the immense crowds seeking him, decides it's time to move on. He tells his disciples they need to go to the surrounding towns and villages too, because spreading God's message is the very reason he was sent into the world. This sets the stage for a wider ministry tour throughout Galilee, not just staying in one place.
After a whirlwind of healing and casting out demons in Capernaum, Jesus, recognizing the immense crowds seeking him, decides it's time to move on. He tells his disciples they need to go to the surrounding towns and villages too, because spreading God's message is the very reason he was sent into the world. This sets the stage for a wider ministry tour throughout Galilee, not just staying in one place.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Mark 1:38 is available in the Sola app.
c. AD 28
Jesus Preaches in Capernaum Synagogue
Jesus casts out a demon in the Capernaum synagogue, astonishing the crowds and confirming his authority.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus Decides to Travel
After a busy time in Capernaum, Jesus decides to move on to nearby towns to spread his message, recognizing the urgency of his mission.
"And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”" — Jesus redirects the disciples' enthusiasm for ministry, not to linger in the success of Capernaum, but to intentionally reach "next towns"—places that were more than villages but not quite cities. Hi…
