Messiah, Son of Man and the Baptism
Mark's Gospel keeps asking one question: who is Jesus? Explore the titles Messiah and Son of Man, the meaning of his baptism, and how Christians respond when the nature miracles are given a purely scientific explanation.
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One question, all the way through
Mark's Gospel keeps returning to a single question: who is Jesus? Different people give different answers, and the Gospel builds its own through the titles it uses and the things Jesus does. Two titles matter most: Messiah and Son of Man. Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah, and that his baptism and his miracles reveal who he really is. This module explores those ideas - and how Christians respond when a sceptic offers a purely scientific explanation instead.
Titles that answer the question
These terms run through the topic. Learn what each one means - the next steps ask you to use them.
Match each title to its meaning
- Messiah
- Son of Man
- Suffering servant
- The anointed one; the deliverer God's people awaited
- A figure given authority by God, echoing Daniel's vision
- One who suffers for others, described in Isaiah 53
What kind of Messiah?
Many people at the time expected the Messiah to be a powerful king who would drive out the Romans. How does the picture in Isaiah 53 challenge that expectation?
- It describes a servant who suffers for others, suggesting a Messiah who suffers rather than only conquers
- It confirms the Messiah will be a military king above all
- It says the Messiah will be wealthy and powerful
- It says nothing about what the Messiah would be like
The baptism of Jesus
In Mark 1:2-11, John the Baptist prepares the way, baptising people in the River Jordan as a sign of repentance. Jesus comes to be baptised too. As Jesus comes up out of the water, Mark describes three things Christians see as revealing his identity: the heavens open, the Spirit comes down like a dove, and a voice from heaven declares Jesus to be God's beloved Son. Many Christians see all three Persons of the Trinity here - the Father's voice, the Son being baptised, and the Spirit as a dove.
The baptism, in order
Put the events of Jesus' baptism (Mark 1:2-11) into the order Mark gives them.
- John the Baptist prepares the way and baptises people for repentance
- Jesus comes from Nazareth and is baptised by John in the Jordan
- As Jesus comes up from the water, the heavens are opened
- The Spirit comes down on him like a dove
- A voice from heaven declares Jesus to be God's beloved Son
What does the baptism reveal?
For Christians, what is the main significance of the voice from heaven and the Spirit descending at Jesus' baptism?
- They reveal Jesus' identity as the Son of God and mark the start of his ministry
- They show Jesus needed to be forgiven for his own sins
- They mark the end of Jesus' work on earth
- They prove John the Baptist was greater than Jesus
Two ways to read a miracle
In the nature miracles Jesus shows power over creation. But a non-religious view offers a natural explanation instead. The exam wants you to understand BOTH sides - and the Christian response.
Match each nature miracle
- Calming the storm
- Feeding the 5000
- Walking on water
- Jesus stills a storm on the lake and the disciples ask who he is
- Jesus feeds a huge crowd from only a few loaves and fish
- Jesus comes to the disciples across the surface of the lake
Why Mark includes the miracles
Select the TWO reasons Christians give for why Mark records the nature miracles.
- To show Jesus has authority even over nature
- To help answer the Gospel's question of who Jesus is
- To entertain readers with impressive tricks
- To show Jesus wanted to become wealthy and famous
Answer the sceptic
A classmate argues each miracle "really" has a natural explanation. Choose the response that best shows how a Christian might reply - fairly and thoughtfully.
- They say: "The storm just happened to calm down on its own - it was a coincidence." How might a Christian respond?
- They say: "The feeding of the 5000 was just everyone sharing hidden food." How might a Christian respond?
- They ask: "How should I write this in an exam evaluation?" What is the best advice?
The titles of Jesus
The title _____ means "the anointed one", while Son of Man echoes _____ 7:13. Isaiah 53 pictures a suffering _____, suggesting a Messiah who suffers. At his _____, a voice from heaven calls Jesus God's Son. In the nature miracles Christians see Jesus' _____ over creation, though a non-religious view offers natural explanations.
Natural explanations for the miracles?
Evaluate the statement: "The nature miracles in Mark just have natural explanations." Give the non-religious argument and the Christian response, then reach a supported judgement.
- Explain the non-religious view (for example coincidence, sharing food, or stories growing over time)
- Give the Christian response - what the miracles reveal about Jesus' identity and authority
- Refer to at least one miracle by name (calming the storm, feeding the 5000, or walking on water)
- Reach a supported judgement, showing you have weighed both sides fairly
The grade-9 technique
Two things lift an answer here. First, on the miracles, always give both sides - the natural explanation and the Christian response - before your judgement. An answer that gives only one side cannot reach the top level. Second, on the titles, show you understand that Christians read the Messiah as one who suffers (Isaiah 53), not only a conquering king, and that Son of Man carries God-given authority (Daniel 7:13). Naming the source and attributing the belief - "Christians believe...", "Mark presents..." - is exactly what the examiner rewards.