Devine Scripture

Mark 1:10

What does Mark 1:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 1:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 1:10 means

Immediately after Jesus' baptism, the heavens were dramatically torn open, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him visibly, like a dove. This supernatural event signifies a direct divine anointing and empowerment for Jesus' mission. The imagery conveys purity, peace, and the Holy Spirit's immediate and real presence with Jesus, confirming His unique status as the Son of God, not through human ordination but through heavenly commissioning.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And straight away, coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens broken open and the Spirit coming down on him as a dove:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens dividing, and the Spirit as a dove coming down upon him;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And forthwith coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens open and the Spirit as a dove descending and remaining on him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And straightway going up from the water, he saw the heavens parting asunder, and the Spirit, as a dove, descending upon him.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' baptism in verse 9, providing the first public confirmation of His divine identity and mission. The visible descent of the Spirit sets the stage for the audible divine pronouncement that follows, clarifying the significance of Jesus' baptism for all who witnessed it and for the reader.

v.9And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in the Jordan.

v.10This passage

v.11and a voice came out of the heavens, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 64:1

    Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might quake at thy presence,

  • Isaiah 42:1

    Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

  • Luke 3:22

    and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

  • Matthew 3:16

    And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;

  • John 1:31

    And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water.

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