Mark 1:13
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρήμῳ
the wilderness
G2048
ἐρήμῳ
the wilderness
Strong's:
G2048
Word #:
6 of 22
lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)
ἡμέρας
days
G2250
ἡμέρας
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
7 of 22
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
πειραζόμενος
tempted
G3985
πειραζόμενος
tempted
Strong's:
G3985
Word #:
9 of 22
to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
10 of 22
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄγγελοι
the angels
G32
ἄγγελοι
the angels
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
20 of 22
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
Cross References
Hebrews 4:15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Exodus 34:28And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.Matthew 26:53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Historical Context
The forty-day period carried deep Old Testament significance. Moses fasted forty days on Sinai (Exodus 24:18), Elijah traveled forty days to Horeb (1 Kings 19:8), Israel wandered forty years (Numbers 14:33-34). Jesus' forty days fulfill these types—He is the true Israel who perfectly obeys. The Judean wilderness was dangerous terrain inhabited by predatory animals, yet Jesus was supernaturally protected.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' forty-day testing demonstrate that qualification for ministry requires proven faithfulness?
- In what ways does Jesus' victory over Satan provide confidence for believers facing temptation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Mark's account states Jesus 'was in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan'. The forty days parallel Moses' forty days on Sinai, Elijah's journey to Horeb, and Israel's forty years—Jesus fulfills these typologies. 'And was with the wild beasts' evokes both danger and Edenic harmony. 'And the angels ministered unto him' indicates divine provision. Where Adam fell in paradise, Christ prevails in wilderness. Reformed theology sees Jesus as the Second Adam who succeeds where the first failed.