Mark 1:12

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 1:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And straightway the Spirit driveth him forth into the wilderness.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And straightway the Spirit driveth him forth into the wilderness.
Mark 1:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And straightway the Spirit driveth him forth into the wilderness.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And immediately, etc..] As soon as he was baptized, and this testimony had been given of his divine sonship, the very selfsame day, the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness: into a more remote and desolate part of it; for it was in the wilderness John was baptizing and preaching, when Christ came to him, and had the ordinance of baptism administered by him; and it was the same Spirit that descended on him at his baptism, which remained with him; by whose impulse he was moved, though not against his will, to go into, this desert and forlorn place. For this was not the evil spirit Satan, by whom he was tempted; for Matthew expressly says, that he was “led up of the Spirit — to be tempted by…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Here Mark relates concisely what Matthew has recorded more at length in Mark 4:0. The Spirit driveth - The word “driveth” does not mean that he was compelled forcibly against his will to go there, but that he was inclined to go there by the Spirit, or was led there. The Spirit of God, for important purposes, caused him to go. Compare Matthew 9:25, where the same word is used in the original: “And when they were all put forth” in Greek, “all driven out.” And was with the wild beasts - This is added to show the desolation and danger of his dwelling there. In this place, surrounded by such dangers, the temptations offered by Satan were the stronger. Amid want and perils, Satan might suppose…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And immediately the Spirit thrusteth him out into the wilderness - So in all the children of God, extraordinary manifestations of his favour are wont to be followed by extraordinary temptations. Mat 4:1; Luk 4:1. Mark 1:13”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:12-13 The Spirit then compelled Jesus (cp. Matt 4:1; Luke 4:1): Jesus was victorious over Satan and temptation from the beginning of his ministry; the later exorcisms (Mark 1:21-34; 3:11-12; 5:1-20; 9:14-27) are an outworking of that victory (see 3:27). • Jesus was tempted in the wilderness of Judea. Satan and wild animals (Isa 13:19-22; Ezek 34:25) give the wilderness an evil aura. The wild animals included dogs, wolves, leopards, jackals, and bears. • The period of forty days recalls Israel’s forty years of testing in the wilderness. Israel failed, but Jesus was victorious—he was tempted without sinning (Heb 2:18; 4:15; cp. Jas 1:3, 12; 1 Pet 1:7; Rev 2:10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Spirit: Mat 4:1-11; Luk 4:1-4 driveth: Or, "sendeth him forth," εκβαλλει \[Strong's G1544\], αυτον. The expression does not necessarily imply any violence; but seems to intimate the energy of that impulse on our Lord, by which he was inwardly constrained to retire from society. Mark 1:13”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification