Mark 1:12

The Temptation and Preaching of Jesus

12 At once the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, ¹

Mark 1:12 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 1:12

And immediately
As soon as he was baptized, and this testimony had been given of his divine sonship, the very selfsame day,

the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness:
into a more remote and desolate part of it; for it was in the wilderness John was baptizing and preaching, when Christ came to him, and had the ordinance of baptism administered by him; and it was the same Spirit that descended on him at his baptism, which remained with him; by whose impulse he was moved, though not against his will, to go into, this desert and forlorn place. For this was not the evil spirit Satan, by whom he was tempted; for Matthew expressly says, that he was "led up of the Spirit--to be tempted by the devil", ( Matthew 4:1 ) : where the devil that tempted him, is manifestly distinguished from the Spirit by whom he was led, and the same Spirit is meant here, as there. Moreover, in one of Beza's copies, and in his most ancient one, and in one of Stephens's, it is read, "the Holy Spirit driveth him"; (See Gill on Matthew 4:1).

Mark 1:12 In-Context

10 As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.

11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

12 At once the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness,

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

14 After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God.

Cross References

• 1. (Matthew 4:1–17; Luke 4:1–15)