Mark 1:12-13

B. THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS 1:12-13
TEXT 1:12-13

And straightway the Spirit driveth him forth into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 1:12-13

18.

Straightway after what? Why is it important that we notice the time of our Lord's temptation?

19.

Are we to conclude the Holy Spirit led Jesus into temptation? Explain.

20.

What does the word driveth mean to you?

21.

Was Jesus tempted during the entire forty days? Cf. Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13.

22.

Are we to understand there were actual animals with Jesus in the wilderness? Discuss.

23.

Just what was the ministry of the angels to Jesus?

COMMENT

TIMEJanuary and February, A.D. 27.
PLACEIn the northern part of the wilderness of Judea, between Jerusalem and Jericho on the west, and the upper part of the Dead Sea on the east. Tradition places it in Mount Quarantania, near the JordanJesus is supposed to have passed forty days fasting in one of its caves.

PARALLEL ACCOUNTSRead Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13.

OUTLINE1.

Driven by the Spirit into the wilderness.

2.

The duration of the temptation.

3.

Associates in the temptation.

ANALYSIS

I.

DRIVEN BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS. Mark 1:12

1.

Immediately after His baptism.

2.

Cast out or thrust out by the Holy Spirit.

3.

The wildernessa wild, barren, desolate place.

II.

THE DURATION OF THE TEMPTATION. Mark 1:13

1.

Only Mark indicates that He was tempted during the entire period.

2.

Tempted by an outside forcenot purely subjective but objective.

3.

Satan the great adversaryLuke and Matthew use devilaccuser but not Mark.

III.

THE ASSOCIATES IN THE TEMPTATION.

1.

Wild beastspanther, bear, wolf, hyena, lion.

2.

AngelsCf. Matthew 4:11; Luke 4:10.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

I.

DRIVEN BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS. Mark 1:12

And straightwayThe next event after the baptism was the temptation. What a strange thought it is to read of the Holy Spirit anointing Jesus and filling Jesus and then immediately driving Him into the wilderness to be tempted of Satan. This is to teach us that God's ways are not our ways.

The Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. The Holy Spirit did not lead Jesus into temptation, The strong urge of the Spirit met the consent of Jesus. The Spirit thrust Him out into the wilderness where Satan tempted Him.

II.

THE DURATION OF THE TEMPTATION. Mark 1:13.

... forty days tempted of Satan; Mark says nothing of the fasting mentioned by the other writers. Mark is the only one to indicate the temptation extended over the whole forty day period Satan alone caused this continuous temptation. None of it arose from the thoughts and desires in Jesus heart about either his Sonship or his Messiahship. (Lenski)

He was with wild beasts; Mentioned only in this gospel. This seems to suggest the desolation and danger of the temptation period. The very thought of suggesting that the beasts were friendly to Jesus and here we have Paradise reproduced is so out of context with the temptation scene as to scarcely be worthy of mention.

The angels ministered unto him. Matthew 4:11 also mentions this blessed aid of these ministering spirits. Of just what this ministering consisted we are not toldit must have indeed been a source of comfort and strength to our Lord in his need. Every Christian is promised such comfort and help; and from the same source. Cf. Hebrews 1:14.

SUMMARY OF 1:1-13

(by J. W. McGarvey)

In this section Mark has set forth three facts which have an important bearing on his proposition that Jesus is the Son of God: First, that the prophet John, with direct allusion to him, announced the speedy appearance of one so much more exalted than himself that he was not worthy to stoop and loosen his shoe; second, that when Jesus was baptized, God himself, in an audible voice, proclaimed him his Son; and third, that immediately after this proclamation, Satan commenced against Him such a warfare as we would naturally expect him to wage against God's Son in human flesh.

FACT QUESTIONS 1:12-13

33.

At what time of the year did this temptation probably take place? What year?

34.

How long did the temptation last? When were the three offers of Satan made?

35.

What part did the Holy Spirit have in the temptation of Jesus?

36.

Did Jesus ever doubt or question His purpose or mission?

37.

Why mention wild beasts? What did they do?

38.

Why mention angels? What did they do?