The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus

The Gospel According to Mark

John’s Baptism of Jesus

Mark 1:4–6 CSB

4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1

John’s dress was like Elijah’s (2Kg 1:8) and other prophets (Zch 13:4). Mark’s description suggests that John was the Elijah who was expected to return and call the nation to repent before the day of the Lord (Mal 4:5–6)

Mark 1:7–8 CSB

7 He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1

John announced that the coming one was more powerful and that he was not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals—a task for Gentile slaves. The coming one was also superior in his work: he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Ac 11:16; see notes at Ac 1:5 and 1:8). John’s baptism was symbolic; Jesus’s baptism would introduce the reality.

John 1:32–34 CSB

32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him. 33 I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on—he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

Satan Tempts Jesus in the Wilderness

Mark 1:12–13 CSB

12 Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him.

Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1

The same Spirit who descended on Jesus at his baptism now drove him into the wilderness. “Drove” is a strong term used for the driving out of demons (vv. 34, 39; 3:15, 22–23; 6:13; 7:26; 9:18, 28, 38) and other forced expulsions (5:40; 9:47; 12:8). In the wilderness forty days recalls Israel’s testing for forty years as well as Moses’s (Dt 9:18) and Elijah’s (1Kg 19:8) forty-day wilderness fasts. The angels were serving him may indicate that they ministered to Jesus in unstated ways throughout his temptation, though he was not fed until the end (Mt 4:11). Angels also ministered to Elijah during his forty-day wilderness fast (1Kg 19:1–8).

Luke 1:5–7 CSB

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.