AQA GCSE RS: St Mark's Gospel: The Life of Jesus: Set Text 2: The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

Set Text 2: The Baptism and Testing of Jesus 1:9-13: Key Quote showing who is _____ _____ and ________?

this Jesus, God the father speaking?, “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". And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son whom I love; with you I am well pleased””.

Set Text 2: Only moments before, Mark identifies Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus must be without sin, so why is he taking part in John’s baptism of repentance?

Make Jesus more relatable as he was fully human.

Set Text 2: Link: Moses led the Israelites into and out of the Red Sea to save them from slavery. How is Jesus’ baptism similar?

Just as Moses saved Israel from slavery by going through water, Jesus saves humanity from sin through baptism. Could Jesus be the new Moses?

Set Text 2: Jesus’ baptism seems to..

mark the beginning of his public ministry (work).

Set Text 2: What happened to the heavens and what does it suggest and why is it important?

They were “torn open” it suggests God was present. It’s a very dramatic image, suggesting it’s an important event.

Set Text 2: What did the prophet Isaiah speak about happening to allow the Messiah to come?

the heavens being opened.

Set Text 2: Doves were a sign of God’s presence. In the story of Noah’s ark, a dove brings hope with an olive branch. What hope could Mark be trying to be pointing to with his choice of words?

Jesus is the hope for humanity. It seems the Holy Spirit was given to Jesus to strengthen him for his temptations and his ministry, coming next!

Set Text 2: When was the last time God’s Spirit was seen hovering over the waters? What could Mark be alluding to?

In Genesis 1 “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters”. A new beginning for humanity.

Set Text 2: Significance for Jesus: “You are my Son”

• The voice from heaven (assumed to be God) seems to make it clear who exactly this Jesus person is.

• This confirmation from God could’ve been comforting for Jesus as he went out int the desert to be tempted. It could’ve also confirmed what he already believed about himself. It reinforced his authority.

Set Text 2: Key Quote about Jesus’ temptation

“At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness for 40 days, being tempted by Satan. […] the angels attended him”

Set Text 2: Who else was tested by God?

• Peter failed to admit he knew who Jesus was.

• Job experienced suffering and his faith to God was tested.

• Adam and Eve were tested on whether they God be good or not

Set Text 2: What could Mark be suggesting here?

That Jesus is different to the other people here.

Set Text 2: Unlike other gospel accounts,

Mark gives very little detail about Jesus’ temptation

Set Text 2: 2 things that show how Jesus’ temptation was serious

• “sent him out” - the same verb is used later on to describe Jesus driving out demons.

• 40 days- could just mean a long time - surviving that long alone in the desert could be seen as miraculous

Set Text 2: What did the rest of Jesus’ ministry depend on?

how he responded to being tempted by Satan. Would he fail like the rest of humanity or was Jesus different? Perhaps Satan was trying to shake Jesus’ belief in his identity as the Son of God and Messiah.

Set Text 2: Reference to wild beasts/animals, what could it be referring to? what does it show?

Evil Spirits/Demons. This was a very challenging time for Jesus despite support from Angels(messengers of God).

Set Text 2: Interesting link with Moses and Israelites

• Moses went out into the desert before returning to save his people from slavery. Maybe Jesus is the new Moses who is going to save humanity?

• The Israelites then spend 40 years in the desert, being tested by God.

Set Text 2: What is the significance of Jesus’ baptism for Christians today?

• One of only times where all 3 persons of the Trinity are present together.

• Makes Christians follow Jesus’ example: Just as Jesus marked the start his ministry with his baptism, many Christians use baptism today to mark the start their journey.