This week's passage is Mark 1:9-13. We will be looking at Mark's account of Jesus' baptism and time spent being tested in the wilderness. Some questions to ponder as you read and study:
Why would Jesus need to be baptized? What was the purpose of John's baptism?
Mark doesn't go into the detail surrounding these two events that Matthew and Luke do. What is Mark's focus in the short retelling of these events?
This passage is full of Old Testament imagery and connections. What is significant about the number 40? Who else spent time in the wilderness for a time of 40? What other events in scripture take place with periods of 40 days?
How does the Spirit's descent from heaven mirror the creation account in Genesis 1?