Gospel Of Mark Leper Scene Analysis

The scene in which Jesus cleanses a leper in the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark seems to contain several important meanings. Prior to understanding the significance of this healing, it is imperative to acknowledge and investigate an important gap that is present. Mark states that “a leper came to” Jesus, but he fails to elaborate on Jesus’ location and why he was easily approached by a leper (Mk 1:40). From Leviticus 13 we know that the laws regarding lepers were very clear and strict. The law regarding leprosy states, “The leprous person who has the disease…shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp” (Lev 13:45-46). This insinuates that lepers were ostracized

Mark says that Jesus “stretched out his hand and touched” the leper and then willed for him to be clean. Prior to considering the significance of Jesus’ decision to touch the leper, I think it is first important to contemplate the manner in which Elisha cures Naaman of his leprosy in 2 Kings. Naaman is told by Elisha’s messengers to “wash in the Jordan seven times,” which resulted in the eradication of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:10). The fact that Jesus reached out and touched the leper brings about another important meaning when compared with Elisha’s healing. While both Elisha and Jesus healed lepers, Elisha did not even meet the leper nonetheless touch him. This leads one to question why Jesus touched the leper and the significance of this decision. I think that the leper not only asked Jesus to cleanse him, but perhaps more importantly, show him mercy in a society that ostracized and persecuted lepers. Jesus responds by literally stretching “out his hand” and touching them, which implied that even lepers were members of God’s people. Therefore, by touching the leper, Jesus cured him of his debilitating disease and, perhaps more importantly, liberated him from his social