Mark 1:45

Publish it much. Or, “talk freely about it” (RSV). Not understanding how his failure to comply with the strict injunction to silence would hinder the work of Christ, and consoling himself with the thought that the modesty of Jesus was the only consideration involved, the grateful man talked freely of the power of the One who had healed him.

Blaze abroad the matter. Or, “spread the news” (RSV).

No more. That is, no longer. This miracle, or rather its result, seems to have marked the close of Christ’s first missionary journey through the towns and villages of Galilee.

He was compelled to cease His work for a time (see DA 265).

The city. Literally, “a city,” that is, any city or town.

In desert places. Or, “in the country” (RSV). No indication appears as to where Jesus’ place of retreat may have been. Christ probably remained near the more populous parts of the area, going perhaps into the hills a few miles west of the Lake of Galilee. Some days later He was once more in Capernaum ch. 2:1, at Peter’s home (see DA 267).

They came. The form of the Greek verb implies that the people kept on coming. Their imagination was on fire, but unfortunately their zeal was without knowledge, and they misunderstood Christ’s purpose in performing His miracles (see p. 209).

[Additional Note on Chapter 1 is omitted as it is a thematic discussion rather than verse-by-verse commentary.]