Jesus himself said that the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings were fulfilled in him. (1) But how? That’s the joy of biblical interpretation—it’s like a never-ending Easter egg hunt, searching for all the ways the Old Testament foretold this “fulfillment.”
In Genesis 1–2, scholars have long noted that Adam and Eve are depicted as both rulers and priests, with Eden described in language similar to that of the Temple in later texts. (2) In Genesis 1:26, they are commissioned to “rule” the earth, and in Genesis 2:15, they are charged to “work” and “keep” it—language often interpreted as “worship” and “serve.” This is both kingly and priestly language, emphasizing the need for both power and humility to fulfill such a calling. When sin entered the world, it fractured everything—even this calling—attempting to separate power from service, and truth from love. The promised Savior in Genesis 3:15 would ultimately fulfill and restore this grand calling for humanity.
In Mark 1:9–14, three key elements highlight Jesus as the fulfillment of the King-Priest theme—three powerful declarations of who he is and what he came to do.
The Dove: “And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.” (Mark 1:10) Contrary to the heresy of Adoptionism, Jesus did not “receive” the Holy Spirit at his baptism. (3) What is the purpose of the dove then? It was primarily to signal new creation has dawned in Jesus. At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, symbolizing His anointing unto sacrificial death, as the dove was one of the animals used for offerings. (4) The dove also represented humility, being the sacrifice of the poor,(5) and reflected Jesus’ mission and the Father’s pleasure in His Servant. Additionally, the dove recalls the flood, where it signified the beginning of a new creation after judgment. (6) Altogether, the Spirit’s descent as a dove revealed Jesus as the humble, sacrificial Savior, filled with the Spirit to carry out his mission of ushering in, and ruling, the new creation.
The Declaration: And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11). This statement is a blend of two significant Old Testament texts: Psalm 2:7 (7) and Isaiah 42:1. (8) Psalm 2 describes the rebellion of the nations against God and his powerful response of sending his Son to rule them. Isaiah 42 is part of the “Servant Songs” (Isaiah 40–55), where the Servant of the Lord carries out God’s plan of salvation for Israel and the world. At Jesus’ baptism, the Father affirms his identity—where power and humility converge in him.
The Test: “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan.” (Mark 1:12-13) Throughout the Old Testament, the “wilderness” is a recurring theme symbolizing a place of testing. Adam and Eve, as royal priests, failed their test and were exiled into the wilderness. Likewise, Israel—called to be a kingdom of priests—repeatedly failed in the wilderness, leading to a generation (except Joshua and Caleb) being barred from the Promised Land. The test is always one of faith: Will I/we trust the Lord to provide, protect, and guide, even when the outcome seems unclear? Or will we grasp for control in self-preservation, self-exaltation, and self-salvation? Where all others failed, Jesus prevailed.
Rare is the leader who exercises both humility and power. The word that captures both is meekness. Jesus was the meekest person ever to walk the earth. Of course, it helps to also be God. But the Spirit’s descent (9) showed how Jesus lived his entire life in the power of the Spirit. That kind of life is available to us, because that kind of leadership was humanity’s original purpose. These three signs in Mark 1 show that Jesus is the fulfillment of the King-Priest theme in the Old Testament—which is the very essence of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus.
1) Luke 24:27, 44
2) See Gordon Wenham’s, Sanctuary Symbolism in the Garden of Eden; Gk Beale: The Temple and the Church’s Mission; See also this article from the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/articles/were-adam-and-eve-priests-eden/
3) https://www.gotquestions.org/adoptionism.html
4) Leviticus 14:30-31. A dove was one of the five animals offered as a sin sacrifice.
5) Leviticus 5:7.
6) Genesis 8:11. The dove brought back an olive branch signifying that life was emerging from the receding/division of water. When he doesn’t come back the next time, it’s because he can flourish in the new world that has emerged.
7) “I will tell of the decree:The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”
8) “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.”
9) “…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Acts 10:38.