Mark 1:35-39

The Decision to Leave Capernaum. The concourse of sick embarrasses Jesus, either because the work of healing tended to obscure His message or because Capernaum threatened to monopolise His attention. Simon may have remembered how the Master left the house and went out of the city to pray. To Simon's surprise, Jesus does not seize the favourable opportunity of Capernaum. God's herald may not remain stationary. Everywhere the proclamation is accompanied by the expulsion of demons. Their overthrow is proof of the nearness of God's kingdom.

Mark 1:35. and there prayed: No Christology is true which makes a Christ for whom prayer is either unnatural or impossible (H. R. Mackintosh, Doctrine of the Person of Christ, p. 399).

Mark 1:38. for to this end came I forth is interpreted theologically in Luke 4:43 * and by many modern commentators, but the phrase may mean simply That is why I left Capernaum, or that was my purpose in setting out to evangelize. The ambiguity proves the priority of Mk.