Mark 1: 9-15, The Messiah Arrives

 

A pericope is a short dynamic story, somewhat self-contained.  Much of the Gospel of Mark consists of these short events, dramatically recalled by Peter, copied down later by Mark. Here is the second pericope in Mark's gospel:

Mark 1:9-13, The beginning of Jesus' ministry -- baptism and temptation
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 
10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 
11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 
13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Nazareth is some distance north of Galilee, 70-80 miles. So Jesus and his followers are many days travel from Nazareth.

Why is Jesus baptized?  What happens when he is baptized?  Theologically, philosophically, this is an intriguing passage.  If Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God, as taught elsewhere in the New Testament – and in the early church – why does he need to be baptized? (Surely baptism comes from the Jewish ritual bathing, something especially required of a Jewish convert.)

Note that heaven was "torn" open!  This describes a dramatic, almost violent, action. I find this difficult to visualize, although it need not be a physical (meteorological) event, but a statement about domains, that heaven is changed by this event.

What does Jesus do after the baptism? Why?

Why does Mark leave out so much?  (Eg. "He was with the wild animals and angels attended him.") Couldn't he have said a little more? Mark's stories will be quick and short, usually with lots of energy.

According to the NIV footnotes, the Greek word for "tempted" can also mean "tested".

Mark 1:14-15, The kingdom begins
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 
15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus has finished his time in the desert and is ready for ministry.  The imprisonment of John seems to stir Jesus to ministry.

Jesus emphasizes the "good news" (or "gospel") of the coming kingdom.  The concept of repentance is a positive change, in the direction of the kingdom of God.