Mark 1:9 - Meaning and Application

Here we have a brief account of Christ’s baptism and temptation, both of which are described more fully in Matthew 3 and 4.

His baptism was his first public appearance, after he had lived quietly in Nazareth for many years. How much hidden worth there is in this world. Sometimes it is lost under contempt, and people never recognize it. Other times it is covered by humility, and people do not see it. But sooner or later, it will be known, as Christ’s worth was.

See how humbly he owned God by coming to be baptized by John the Baptist, who preached repentance and baptized in the Jordan River. In this way, he fulfilled all righteousness. He took on the likeness of sinful flesh, meaning he entered fully into our human condition, though he himself was perfectly pure and without sin. He was washed as if he had been unclean, and for our sake he set himself apart, so that we also might be set apart and baptized with him (John 17:19).

See also how honorably God owned him when he submitted to John’s baptism. Those who justify God, that is, who declare God to be right and submit to his way, as those baptized by John did, he will glorify (Luke 7:29-30).

He saw the heavens opened. This showed that he was recognized as the Lord from heaven, and it gave him a glimpse of the glory and joy set before him, the reward promised for his work. Matthew says the heavens were opened to him. Mark says he saw them opened. Many people have heaven opened to receive them, but they do not see it. Christ had a clear view not only of his suffering, but also of his glory.

He saw the Spirit descend on him like a dove. We may think of heaven as opened to us when we see the Spirit working in us and coming upon us in power. God’s good work in us is the surest proof of his favor toward us and of what he has prepared for us. Justin Martyr said that when Christ was baptized, a fire was kindled in the Jordan, and an old tradition says a great light shone around the place, because the Spirit brings both light and heat.

He also heard a voice meant to encourage him to continue in his work. The voice said, “You are my beloved Son.” God made it clear that he loved him no less because Christ had lowered himself into such a humble place. Though he had emptied himself and taken a low place, he was still his beloved Son. God also showed that he loved him all the more because of this gracious work he had taken on. God is pleased with him as the one who settles every matter between God and man, and being pleased with him, he is pleased with us in him.

His temptation followed. The same good Spirit that came down on him led him into the wilderness (Mark 1:12). Paul mentions a similar pattern as proof that he received his teaching from God and not from man, saying that when he was called, he did not go up to Jerusalem, but went into Arabia (Galatians 1:17). Time spent away from the world gives room for freer fellowship with God, and even those called to great work may sometimes need such retreat for a while.

Mark notes that Jesus was with the wild beasts. This was one sign of his Father’s care, because he was kept safe from being torn apart by them. It likely also encouraged him that his Father would provide for him when he was hungry. Special protection is a promise of coming provision. It also hinted at the cruelty of the people of that generation among whom he would live. They were no better than wild beasts in the wilderness, and in many ways worse.

In that wilderness, the evil spirits were active against him. He was tempted by Satan, not by inward sin, because the ruler of this world had nothing in him to seize on, but by outside pressure and suggestions. Solitude often gives the tempter an advantage, so two are better than one. Christ was tempted not only to show us that being tempted is not itself sin, but also to point us to the one who can help when we are tempted, the one who himself suffered when tempted and can truly sympathize with us.

The good spirits were active too. The angels ministered to him, supplied what he needed, and served him faithfully. The ministry of good angels is a great comfort when evil angels are working against us. But even greater comfort is found in the Spirit dwelling in our hearts, for those who are born of God are so guarded that, as far as that new life rules in them, the evil one does not touch them, much less triumph over them.