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The temptation accounts are found in Matt 4:1–11, Mark 1:12–13, and Luke 4:1–13. Forty days and nights he fasts in the wilderness, and as Matthew and Luke both record, he was hungry (Matt 4:2; Luke 4:2). Satan then appears and tempts him in three distinct ways, all of which seek to prove that Jesus is the Son of God, i.e., the Christ. Each section will be discussed and will conclude with an examination of Jesus as the new Israel and the allusions therein.

Mark 1:12–13

Although Mark’s account of the temptation is brief, it is nonetheless important in formation of a Trinitarian theology.[1] Concerning Jesus’ entrance into the wilderness, Mark uses ἐκβάλλει, a more vivid verb that is translated as “drove out.” Mark however, does not indicate why the Spirit drove him to the wilderness. Whereas both Matthew and Luke indicate he was led to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, Mark remains silent. Whatever the case, it is the same Spirit who descended upon Jesus at his baptism who “now forces him to penetrate more deeply into the wilderness.”[2] There Satan tempts him for forty days. Read the rest of this entry »

The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist occurs in all three of the Synoptic Gospels, Matt 3:13–17, Mark 1:9–11, and Luke 3:21–22. John the Baptist plays an important role in the baptism scene and cannot be overlooked. William Dumbrell summarizes John’s ministry well: “John’s prophetic voice urges the nation to go back to the beginning of its journey, back to the crossing of the Jordan, and once again to set out into the Promised Land, but this time in a new national direction into a new eschatological age.”[1] This summary of the ministry of John the Baptist is clearly in line with Zechariah’s prophecy and his overall purpose and mission. The one who was coming was greater than himself (Matt 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16) and he would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Mark 1:8; Matt 3:11; Luke 3:16, respectively).” Read the rest of this entry »