Mark 1:35 Explained

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." — Mark 1:35 (KJV)

The clearest description in the Gospels of how Jesus actually prayed — and every detail in it is logistical.

Read it in context: The Book of Mark. Also gathered under verses about prayer.

Mark 1:35 in context

What does Mark 1:35 mean?

Mark gives three practical details and no content: early, out, alone. The prayer is not recorded; the arrangements are. That is unusual, and it suggests the arrangements are the transferable part. He does this after a success, not a failure, and he leaves people who genuinely want him in order to do it.

What is the context of Mark 1:35?

The night before, the whole town had gathered at the door and he healed until late. He is at the start of a ministry that is going extremely well. The next verse has Simon hunting him down because everyone is looking for him.

How do I pray Mark 1:35?

Copy the logistics rather than the feeling: a time, a place, and away from where you can be found. The verse offers no help on what to say and it does not seem to think that is the difficult part. If you can only manage one of the three, take 'solitary place' — Mark mentions it twice in different words.

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