Epiphany Season · Year B
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 14, 2027
Overview & Insights
“Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him... I will; be clean.” (Mark 1:41)
Mark 1:21–38 describes one twenty-four-hour period (from Sabbath morn to Sunday morn). All of this material (including through 1:45) traces Jesus’s ministry to the crowds, who are filled with wonder at each new illustration of his healing power over demons and all kinds of illnesses (1:23–28, 32–34), leprosy in particular (1:41–45). In addition, with each new powerful act, Jesus’s popularity soars. The news spreads after the first miracle (1:28), with “the whole town gathered at the door” (1:33). Jesus tries to get away for a time of prayer and learns that “everyone is looking for” him (1:37). Then, after his final healing miracle, he can no longer enter the towns because people are streaming to him “from everywhere” (1:45). This extreme popularity with the crowds will be contrasted with its polar opposite in 2:1–3:6, his growing rejection by and opposition from the leaders.
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Commentary
Mark 1:40-45 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary traces how the leper and Jesus swap places in five verses and reads Jesus' anger as aimed at the powers that bind creation.
Mark 1 verse by verse Precept Austin
Verse-by-verse study of Mark 1 gathering Greek word notes and many classic commentators on the cleansing of the leper.
Classic commentaries on Mark 1 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries gathered verse by verse for close study of the healing.
Mark 1:40-45 Enduring Word · David Guzik
An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.
Go Tell the Priests Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
Bishop Barron preaches on Jesus cleansing the leper in Mark 1:40-45 and welcoming those society treats as outsiders.
Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
A Catholic reflection on the day's readings including the healing of the leper.
His Fame Began to Spread Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church
An Episcopal sermon on the leper's healing and how Jesus' fame kept him from entering towns openly.
Background & Word Study
Compassion or Anger? How Do You Read It? Left Behind and Loving It
A Greek-focused breakdown weighing whether Jesus was moved by compassion or anger and why he becomes ritually unclean.
Overview: Mark BibleProject
An animated overview of Mark's whole Gospel that frames how this early healing fits the book's fast-paced portrait of Jesus.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Questions preachers ask
How does Jesus cleanse the leper?
The leper begs on his knees, and Jesus, moved with compassion, does the unthinkable: he touches the untouchable and makes him clean.
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