Articles
Reversing the Curse
If the four gospels were ever categorized based on movie genres, the gospel of Mark would fit well into the “action” category. Fast-paced and concise, Mark’s narrative is filled with activity, moving quickly from one event to the next. As a general rule, Mark spends more time on Jesus’ deeds than on Jesus’ words, especially compared to the other three gospels. Even though Mark is eight chapters shorter than Luke and twelve chapters shorter than Matthew, it records almost the same number of Jesus’ miracles as the other two (Matthew and Luke record 21 miracles each while Mark records 19; John only records 8). In light of these comparisons, it is worth paying attention to which events Mark shares with the other gospels, and to notice some of the details Mark adds in and leaves out.
Let’s take the time to explore one example we’ve studied recently – the temptation of Jesus. While Matthew and Luke record details about three specific temptations Jesus experienced, Mark’s account is comparatively shorter: “Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him” (Mk. 1:12-13). Why write such a brief account? Why leave out details about the specific temptations? Why include the part about the wild beasts? While I certainly don’t know the Holy Spirit’s reasons for including or excluding certain details, there is a fascinating contrast that takes shape when we hold Mark’s abbreviated account of the temptation next to another notable account of temptation in the Bible – the temptation of Adam & Eve in Genesis 3. Consider the following differences between the two:
- Adam & Eve are tempted in a lush garden (Gen. 2:8-9); Jesus is tempted in a barren wilderness (Mk. 1:12).
- While God surrounds Adam with beasts that are tame (Gen. 2:19-20), Mark points out that Jesus is with wild beasts (Mk. 1:13).
- In the aftermath of their temptation, Adam & Eve are opposed by an angel of God (Gen. 3:24), while Jesus is assisted by angels after overcoming His temptation (Mk. 1:13).
- The biggest difference, of course, is that Adam & Eve gave in to temptation (Gen. 3:6), while Jesus resisted it (Heb. 4:15).
Why do these differences matter? Think about it. Genesis 3 records the entrance of sin into the world, and from then on, we see a world that is quickly filled with sin’s ruinous effects. Yet for all these details that surround the temptation in Eden, we see the exact opposite when Jesus is tempted. The depiction of Jesus in Mark’s gospel is of a Savior powerful enough to reverse the devastation brought about in the garden. For all of us who have found our lives wrecked by the tempter, there can be no greater news than that.
-Taylor Ladd
