MRK 1

Mark 1:13

WEB

He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving him.

BSB

and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.

KJV

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Matthew Henry

Verses 9–13

Mark 1:9–13

We have here a brief account of Christ's baptism and temptation, which were largely related Mt. 3 and 4.

I. His baptism, which was his first public appearance, after he had long lived obscurely in Nazareth. O how much hidden worth is there, which in this world is either lost in the dust of contempt and cannot be known, or wrapped up in the veil of humility and will not be known! But sooner or later it shall be known, as Christ's was.

1. See how humbly he owned God, by coming to be baptized of John; and thus it became him to fulfil all righteousness. Thus he took upon him the likeness of sinful flesh, that, though he was perfectly pure and unspotted, yet he was washed as if he had been polluted; and thus for our sakes he sanctified himself, that we also might be sanctified, and be baptized with him, Joh 17:19.

2. See how honourably God owned him, when he submitted to John's baptism. Those who justify God, and they are said to do, who were baptized with the baptism of John, he will glorify, Luk 7:29, Luk 7:30.

(1.) He saw the heavens opened; thus he was owned to be the Lord from heaven, and had a glimpse of the glory and joy that were set before him, and secured to him, as the recompence of his undertaking. Matthew saith, The heavens were opened to him. Mark saith, He saw them opened. Many have the heavens opened to receive them, but they do not see it; Christ had not only a clear foresight of his sufferings, but of his glory too.

(2.) He saw the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. Note, Then we may see heaven opened to us, when we perceive the Spirit descending and working upon us. God's good work in us is the surest evidence of his good will towards us, and his preparations for us. Justin Martyr says, that when Christ was baptized, a fire was kindled in Jordan: and it is an ancient tradition, that a great light shone round the place; for the Spirit brings both light and heat.

(3.) He heard a voice which was intended for his encouragement to proceed in his undertaking, and therefore it is here expressed as directed to him, Thou art my beloved Son. God lets him know, [1.] That he loved him never the less for that low and mean estate to which he had now humbled himself; "Though thus emptied and made of no reputation, yet he is my beloved Son still." [2.] That he loved him much the more for that glorious and kind undertaking in which he had now engaged himself. God is well pleased in him, as referee of all matters in controversy between him and man; and so well pleased in him, as to be well pleased with us in him.

II. His temptation. The good Spirit that descended upon him, led him into the wilderness, Mar 1:12. Paul mentions it as a proof that he had his doctrine from God, and not from man - that, as soon as he was called, he went not to Jerusalem, but went into Arabia, Gal 1:17. Retirement from the world is an opportunity of more free converse with God, and therefore must sometimes be chosen, for a while, even by those that are called to the greatest business. Mark observes this circumstance of his being in the wilderness - that he was with the wild beasts. It was an instance of his Father's care of him, that he was preserved from being torn in pieces by the wild beasts, which encouraged him the more that his Father would provide for him when he was hungry. Special protections are earnests of seasonable supplies. It was likewise an intimation to him of the inhumanity of the men of that generation, whom he was to live among - no better than wild beasts in the wilderness, nay abundantly worse. In that wilderness,

1. The evil spirits were busy with him; he was tempted of Satan; not by any inward injections (the prince of this world had nothing in him to fasten upon), but by outward solicitations. Solicitude often gives advantages to the tempter, therefore two are better than one. Christ himself was tempted, not only to teach us, that it is no sin to be tempted, but to direct us whither to go for succour when we are tempted, even to him that suffered, being tempted; that he might experimentally sympathize with us when we are tempted.

2. The good spirits were busy about him; the angels ministered to him, supplied him with what he needed, and dutifully attended him. Note, The ministration of the good angels about us, is matter of great comfort in reference to the malicious designs of the evil angels against us; but much more doth it befriend us, to have the indwelling of the spirit in our hearts, which they that have, are so born of God, that, as far as they are so, the evil one toucheth them not, much less shall be triumph over them.

Cross-references: John 17:19 · Luke 7:29 · Luke 7:30 · Mark 1:12 · Gal 1:17

Greek interlinear

τεσσεράκονταtesserakontaadjective · acc · plur · fem

G2532

καίkaí/kahee/

and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet

Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

G1510

εἰμίeimí/i-mee'/

am, have been, X it is I, was

Derivation: the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb;

I exist (used only when emphatic)

KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was.

See also G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.

See also: G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.

G1722

ἐνen/en/

about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in)

Derivation: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537);

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.

KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in).

Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

See also: G1519, G1537.

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G2048

ἔρημοςérēmos/er'-ay-mos/

desert, desolate, solitary, wilderness

Derivation: of uncertain affinity; lonesome, i.e. (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, G5561 being implied)

KJV: desert, desolate, solitary, wilderness.

See also: G5561.

G2250

ἡμέραhēméra/hay-mer'-ah/

age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years

Derivation: feminine (with G5610 implied) of a derivative of ἧμαι (to sit; akin to the base of G1476) meaning tame, i.e. gentle;

day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context)

KJV: age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.

See also: G5610, G1476.

G3985

πειράζωpeirázō/pi-rad'-zo/

assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try

Derivation: from G3984;

to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline

KJV: assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.

See also: G3984.

G5259

ὑπόhypó/hoop-o'/

among, by, from, in, of, under, with

Derivation: a primary preposition;

under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at))

KJV: among, by, from, in, of, under, with.

In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.

G4567

ΣατανᾶςSatanâs/sat-an-as'/

Satan

Derivation: of Chaldee origin corresponding to H4566 (with the definite affix);

the accuser, i.e. the devil

KJV: Satan.

See also: H4566.

G3326

μετάmetá/met-ah'/

after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out)

Derivation: a primary preposition (often used adverbially);

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G575 or G1537 and G1519 or G4314; less intimate than G1722 and less close than G4862)

KJV: after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out).

Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.

See also: G4314, G575, G1537, G1519, G1722, G4862.

G2342

θηρίονthēríon/thay-ree'-on/

(venomous, wild) beast

Derivation: diminutive from the same as G2339;

a dangerous animal

KJV: (venomous, wild) beast.

See also: G2339.

G32

ἄγγελοςángelos/ang'-el-os/

angel, messenger

Derivation: from ἀγγέλλω (probably derived from G71;

compare G34) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

KJV: angel, messenger.

See also: G71, G34.

G1247

διακονέωdiakonéō/dee-ak-on-eh'-o/

(ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon

Derivation: from G1249;

to be an attendant, i.e. wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or (figuratively) teacher); technically, to act as a Christian deacon

KJV: (ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon.

See also: G1249.

G846

αὐτόςautós/ow-tos'/

her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which

Derivation: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward);

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.

Compare G848.

See also: G109, G1438, G848.

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