Mark 1:4-11 - The Baptism of Jesus
Mark 1:4) John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5) And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6) Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7) He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8) I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9) In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10) And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11) And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
An Early Church Scandal: In the early years of the spread of Christianity, when Mark wrote his gospel, the baptism of Jesus was a well-documented embarrassment. People were trying to share the gospel with their friends and neighbors and this story kept raising uncomfortable questions such as, “If you want me to be baptized for forgiveness of my sins, why did Jesus need to be baptized? What was his sin?” And “If you say that in baptism I will become a child of God, then was it Jesus’ baptism that made him God’s son?” And “If Jesus was the great and sinless Son of God, why would he submit to being baptized by John the Baptist? Doesn’t that mean John was superior to Jesus?” Long arguments were made for simply deleting the story from the scriptures because it was too hard to interpret and was becoming a stumbling block of faith. Even so, the story has captured and captivated Christians throughout the centuries. It is in this text that we see Jesus’ highest priority: obedient dedication to doing the revealed will of God.
John the Baptist, a prophet from the priestly family of Zecharais, was a contemporary of Jesus (about 6 months older). He is reported to have lived some of his adult life as a hermit to prepare himself for his prophetic role. His strange dress, courageous speech, wildly charismatic manner and the common belief that someone great (Messiah) was about to appear to save the people, made him enormously popular. His central message was repentance. He later ran afoul of King Herod’s wife and wound up being beheaded.
Baptism in the time of Jesus was a sign of repentance and washing clean from unrighteousness. Ordinarily a person was baptized by someone who was spiritually greater in order to become a disciple of that teacher.
Word Study
Vs. 4 – wilderness – desert region 10-15 miles wide and 60 miles long in the lower Jordan valley. It was hot and unpleasant. The wilderness also had a symbolic function. It was in the wilderness that obedience was learned.
Proclaiming – to declare as official A baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins – while baptism was common for Gentile converts it was not as common for Jews themselves to be baptized. But with renewed interest in the coming judgment, more Jews were entering into the rite.
Repentance – means turning around. To repent is not to feel sorrow or remorse. To repent is to turn from the former way and go another way.
Vs. 5 – the whole Judean countryside and all the people – indicates a massive response to John’s ministry. People were hungry for prophecy. There had not been a prophet for Israel in nearly 300 years and people were starving to hear from God. They longed for some kind of release.
Vs. 6 – camel’s hair – this was desert clothing
Locusts – either the insect or maybe some kind of tree sap
Wild honey – this was the food of peasants and indicates John’s low estate. He was not seeking esteem or privilege.
Vs. 7 – powerful – the capacity to accomplish God’s desired ends
Stoop down and untie – this was slaves work
Vs. 8 – baptize you with the Holy Spirit – there is no Pentecost account in Mark. It is not clear exactly what this phrase meant. What is clear is that it had to do with flooding a person with grace not judgment.
Vs. 9 – in those days – the days of John the Baptist’s influence
Nazareth – an obscure little town in the middle of nowhere
was baptized by John in the Jordan – this was a mass baptism. In Mark, Jesus’ baptism is an act of obedience in community. Jesus identifies with us and in baptism acknowledges in a public way the legitimacy of God’s complaint against us.
Vs. 10 – torn apart – in the process of being ripped apart, like the temple curtain at the death of Jesus. It symbolizes that what had been sealed was now open. That which was inaccessible was now available. See Isaiah 64:1 “O that thou would rend the heavens and come down.”
Spirit – the Spirit was associated with prophecy. The Spirit had been silent for 300 years. With the Spirit’s return came the signal of the new age.
Like a dove – in the form of or in the manner of, moving like
Vs. 11 – These words are spoken to Jesus alone.
Beloved – also meant chosen
I am well pleased – in Greek this phrase is in the past tense indicating that Jesus has been from the beginning of time. This quotation is a combination of Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1. The Isaiah passage is especially important. It comes from one of the Suffering Servant Songs. For God to use this verse would immediately bring to the people’s mind that the Messiah’s identity will be as both Son of God and Suffering Servant.
Questions for Personal Reflection
1. If asked to describe yourself, what words would come to your mind? How do you think that God would describe you?
2. Jesus shows us that obedience is the pathway to revelation and personal mission. How have you experienced this truth in your own life? Have you ever felt that God was calling you to do an uncomfortable, risky or controversial thing? What gave you courage to obey? What do you need to obey that call today?