12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 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. (Mark 1:12-13 KJV)
William Burkitt New Testament
Immediately, That is, 1. After his baptism. Christ is no sooner out of the water of baptism, but he is in the fire of temptation: such as are baptized with Christ, and entered into the profession of Christianity, must look to be assaulted with Satan’s temptations.
Again, immediately, that is, 2. After the Father had declared his complacency in him, and being well pleased with him.
Learn thence, That great manifestations of love from God are usually followed with great temptations from God. The Spirit driveth him, that is, the Holy Spirit of God. For the devil is seldom, if ever, called the Spirit, but usually, some brand of reproach is annexed, as the evil spirit, or the unclean spirit and the like.
Christ was led by the Spirit, says Mt 4:1. He was driven by the Spirit, says St. Mark; that is, he was carried by a strong impulse of the Spirit of God to be tempted by Satan, and did not go of his own private motion to enter the lists with Satan. Teaching us our duty, not to run into or rush upon temptations, without a warrant and call from God.
Observe next, The place where Satan assaulted Christ with his temptations: it was a solitary wilderness. No place can privilege us from temptations, or be a sanctuary from Satan’s assaults. The solitary wilderness has a tempter in it: yea, Satan oftentimes makes use of men’s solitariness to further his temptations; and such as separate themselves from human society, and give themselves up to solitude and retirement, give great advantage to the tempter to tempt them.
Observe next, the time and continuance of our holy Lord’s temptations; not for an hour, a day, a week, or a month, but for forty days and forty nights; not all the time, but very often in that time. Teaching us what we are to expect from Satan; temptations not a few; he will not solicit us once, but often to resist him.
Observe further, A special aggravation of our Lord’s temptations in the wilderness. He was with the wild beasts, having no comfort from man, but only wild beasts for his companions, which were more likely to annoy and hurt him, than any way to help and comfort him. Here we have evidence of the divine power of Christ; who, as Lord of the creatures, can alter and change the nature of the creature at his pleasure; restraining the most savage and hurtful beasts from hurting either himself or any of his people.
Observe lastly, The supply sent in to Christ in the hour of temptation: The angels came and ministered unto him; food to his hungry body, and comfort to his tempted soul.
Learn thence, that those who in the hour of temptation do hold out in resisting Satan, shall find that the power and faithfulness of God will not be wanting to them to send in succour and relief at last; Then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
BURKITT : | Mark 1:1 | Mark 1:2 | Mark 1:3 | Mark 1:4 | Mark 1:5 | Mark 1:6 | Mark 1:7 | Mark 1:8 | Mark 1:9-11 | Mark 1v12-13 | Mark 1:14-15 | Mark 1:16-20 | Mark 1:21-22 | Mark 1:23-27 | Mark 1:28-31 | Mark 1:32-34 | Mark 1:35 | Mark 1:36-39 | Mark 1:40-45 |