9. Jesus' Authority in Word and Touch (Mark 1:40 - 45)

The authority of Jesus' word expands in the rest of Mark chapter 1 to the authority of Jesus' touch. The theme culminates when Jesus reaches out and touches one of 'untouchables' of Israel, a leper whose unclean state had cut him off from human society. Jesus is thus powerful 'in word and deed.' His reputation draws a crowd, and crowds will appear repeatedly in Mark's account, representing the breadth and depth of human need, and at the same time the depth of the compassion of Jesus as he responds.