Mark 1:13
New International Version
and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

New Living Translation
where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.

English Standard Version
And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

Berean Standard Bible
and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.

Berean Literal Bible
And He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And He was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to Him.

King James Bible
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

New King James Version
And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

New American Standard Bible
And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving Him.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
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.

Legacy Standard Bible
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.

Amplified Bible
He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted [to do evil] by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered continually to Him.

Christian Standard Bible
He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels began to serve Him.

American Standard Version
And he was in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Contemporary English Version
He stayed there for 40 days while Satan tested him. Jesus was with the wild animals, but angels took care of him.

English Revised Version
And he was in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
where he was tempted by Satan for 40 days. He was there with the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.

Good News Translation
where he stayed forty days, being tempted by Satan. Wild animals were there also, but angels came and helped him.

International Standard Version
He was in the wilderness for 40 days being tempted by Satan. He was among wild animals, and angels were ministering to him.

Majority Standard Bible
and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.

NET Bible
He was in the wilderness forty days, enduring temptations from Satan. He was with wild animals, and angels were ministering to his needs.

New Heart English Bible
He was in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan: and was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

Weymouth New Testament
where He remained for forty days, tempted by Satan; and He was among the wild beasts, but the angels waited upon Him.

World English Bible
He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He was there in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan, and He was with the beasts, and the messengers were ministering to Him.

Berean Literal Bible
And He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And He was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to Him.

Young's Literal Translation
and he was there in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by the Adversary, and he was with the beasts, and the messengers were ministering to him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he was there in the desert forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with wild beasts; and messengers were serving him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he was in the desert forty days and forty nights, and was tempted by Satan; and he was with beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he was in the desert for forty days and forty nights. And he was tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the Angels ministered to him.

New American Bible
and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

New Revised Standard Version
He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, being tried out by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he had been there in the wilderness forty days when he was tempted by Satan. And he was with the animals, and Angels were ministering to him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, to be tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.

Godbey New Testament
And he was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels continued to minister unto Him.

Haweis New Testament
And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministred unto him.

Mace New Testament
where he continued forty days, being tempted by Satan: and when he was among the wild beasts, angels ministred unto him.

Weymouth New Testament
where He remained for forty days, tempted by Satan; and He was among the wild beasts, but the angels waited upon Him.

Worrell New Testament
And He was in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts; and the angels were ministering to Him.

Worsley New Testament
and He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan, and among the wild beasts: and angels ministred unto Him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Temptation of Jesus
12At once the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, 13and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him. 14After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God.…

Cross References
Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. / After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. / The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ...

Luke 4:1-13
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, / where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He was hungry. / The devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” ...

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

James 1:13-14
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. / But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Genesis 3:1-6
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ...

Exodus 34:28
So Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. / He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

1 Kings 19:8
So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

Psalm 91:11-12
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. / They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Isaiah 11:6-9
The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them. / The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. / The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. ...

Isaiah 35:9
No lion will be there, and no vicious beast will go up on it. Such will not be found there, but the redeemed will walk upon it.

Romans 5:12-19
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. / For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. / Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come. ...

2 Corinthians 11:3
I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.


Treasury of Scripture

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.

forty.

Exodus 24:18
And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

Exodus 34:28
And 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.

Deuteronomy 9:11,18,25
And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, that the LORD gave me the two tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant…

tempted.

Hebrews 2:17,18
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people…

Hebrews 4:15
For 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.

and the.

1 Kings 19:5-7
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat…

Matthew 4:11
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Matthew 26:53
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

Jump to Previous
Adversary Angels Animals Attended Beasts Desert Forty Messengers Ministered Ministering Satan Serving Tempted Tested Waited Waste Wild Wilderness
Jump to Next
Adversary Angels Animals Attended Beasts Desert Forty Messengers Ministered Ministering Satan Serving Tempted Tested Waited Waste Wild Wilderness
Mark 1
1. The office of John the Baptist.
9. Jesus is baptized;
12. tempted;
14. he preaches;
16. calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John;
23. heals one that had a demon;
29. Peter's mother in law;
32. many diseased persons;
40. and cleanses the leper.














and He was there for forty days
The period of forty days is significant in biblical history, often symbolizing a time of testing, trial, or preparation. This mirrors the forty years the Israelites spent in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33-34) and the forty days Moses spent on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18). Jesus' forty days in the wilderness serve as a preparation for His public ministry, emphasizing His role as the new Israel and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

being tempted by Satan
The temptation by Satan highlights the spiritual battle between good and evil. Satan, the adversary, seeks to derail Jesus' mission from the outset. This temptation echoes the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), but unlike Adam, Jesus resists, demonstrating His sinless nature and His role as the second Adam (Romans 5:12-19). This event underscores Jesus' authority over Satan and His commitment to His divine mission.

He was with the wild animals
The mention of wild animals may indicate the desolate and dangerous nature of the wilderness, emphasizing Jesus' vulnerability and isolation. It also reflects the peace of the Messianic kingdom, where harmony is restored between humans and creation (Isaiah 11:6-9). This detail underscores Jesus' dominion over creation and His role as the restorer of peace.

and the angels ministered to Him
The presence of angels ministering to Jesus signifies divine support and approval. Angels often appear in Scripture to provide guidance, protection, and strength (Psalm 91:11-12, Hebrews 1:14). Their ministry to Jesus highlights His divine sonship and the heavenly endorsement of His mission. This also parallels the angelic support seen in other biblical narratives, such as Elijah's sustenance in the wilderness (1 Kings 19:5-7).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is in the wilderness undergoing a period of testing and temptation.

2. Satan
The adversary who tempts Jesus, representing the forces of evil and opposition to God's will.

3. Wilderness
A desolate and uninhabited place where Jesus spends forty days, symbolizing a place of testing and spiritual preparation.

4. Wild Animals
Representing the dangers and isolation of the wilderness, highlighting Jesus' vulnerability and the harsh conditions He faced.

5. Angels
Spiritual beings who minister to Jesus, providing divine support and care during His time of trial.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Jesus' temptation by Satan underscores the reality of spiritual warfare. Believers must be vigilant and prepared to face spiritual battles in their own lives.

The Importance of Spiritual Preparation
Just as Jesus spent time in the wilderness preparing for His ministry, Christians should seek times of solitude and prayer to strengthen their relationship with God and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Divine Support in Times of Trial
The presence of angels ministering to Jesus reminds us that God provides support and strength during our trials. We are never alone in our struggles.

The Significance of the Wilderness Experience
The wilderness is often a place of testing and transformation. Believers can view their own "wilderness" experiences as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God.

Victory Over Temptation
Jesus' triumph over Satan's temptations serves as an example and encouragement for believers to resist temptation through reliance on God's Word and strength.(13) And he was there in the wilderness.--See Notes on Matthew 4:2-11. St. Mark compresses the history by omitting the several forms of the Temptation. Peculiar to him are (1) the use of "Satan" instead of "the devil;" (2) the statement that Jesus was "with the wild beasts." In our Lord's time these might include the panther, the bear, the wolf, the hyena, possibly the lion. The implied thought is partly that their presence added to the terrors of the Temptation, partly that in His being protected from them there was the fulfilment of the promise in the very Psalm which furnished the Tempter with his chief weapon, that the true child of God should trample under foot "the lion and the adder," the "young lion and the dragon" (Psalm 91:13).

Verse 13. - Forty days tempted of Satan. St. Mark gathers up the whole temptation into this one sentence; and the passage would seem to imply that the three temptations recorded by St. Matthew and St. Luke were not the only trials through which our Lord passed during those forty days, although they were no doubt the prominent and the most powerful assaults upon our Redeemer. And he was with the wild beasts (μετὰ τῶν θηρίων). This shows the extreme solitude of the place. It shows also the innocence of our Lord, that there, in that wild and desolate district, amongst lions, and wolves, and leopards, and serpents, he neither feared them nor was injured by them. He dwelt amongst them as Adam lived with them in his state of innocence in Paradise. These wild beasts recognized and revered their Creater and their Lord. And the angels ministered unto him. This, as we learn from St. Matthew (Matthew 4:11), was after his temptation and victory. Some have thought that Jesus became known to the devil as the Son of God, by the reverence and adoration of the angels. Thus Jesus showed in his own person, when alone he had striven with Satan and, had overcome him, that heavenly comfort and the ministry of angels are provided by God for those who overcome temptation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

He was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

[there]
ἐρήμῳ (erēmō)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2048: Lonesome, i.e. waste.

for forty
τεσσεράκοντα (tesserakonta)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5062: Forty. The decade of tessares; forty.

days,
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

being tempted
πειραζόμενος (peirazomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3985: To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.

by
ὑπὸ (hypo)
Preposition
Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).

Satan.
Σατανᾶ (Satana)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4567: An adversary, Satan. Of Chaldee origin corresponding to ma'bad; the accuser, i.e. The devil.

He was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wild animals,
θηρίων (thēriōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2342: Properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute. Diminutive from the same as thera; a dangerous animal.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

angels
ἄγγελοι (angeloi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.

ministered
διηκόνουν (diēkonoun)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1247: From diakonos; to be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (figuratively) teacher; technically, to act as a Christian deacon.

to Him.
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Mark 1:13 He was there in the wilderness forty (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 1:12
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