Texts in Conversation
Isaiah describes a future ruler filled with divine spirit who embodies wisdom and justice. Later Jewish writings, such as the Psalms of Solomon, also interpret this vision as pointing to a strong and sinless leader. The Gospel of Mark follows this same interpretive tradition when John the Baptist describes the coming “stronger one.”
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Isaiah 11:2
Hebrew Bible
1 A shoot will grow out of Jesse’s root stock, a bud will sprout from his roots. 2 The Lord’s Spirit will rest on him—a Spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, a Spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a Spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the Lord. 3 His smelling is in the fear of the Lord7. He will not judge by mere appearances or make decisions on the basis of hearsay. 4 He will treat the poor fairly and make right decisions for the downtrodden of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth and order the wicked to be executed.
Date: 7th-5th Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Mark 1:7
New Testament
5 People from the whole Judean countryside and all of Jerusalem were going out to him, and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 6 John wore a garment made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “One more powerful than I am is coming after me; I am not worthy to bend down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 Now in those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River.
Date: 60-75 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... John’s message was about more than a baptism. He pointed the way to one to come after him. He called him “the stronger one to come” (verse 7; Isaiah 11:2; Psalms of Solomon 17:37; 1 Enoch 49:3). The way in which Jesus is strong will be Mark’s burden in his Gospel. In this context, the allusion is vague, to a figure of deliverance in the eschaton, so a messianic figure is likely intended. Luke 3:15–17 is explicit in this regard. The key opponent is less Rome than it is spiritual forces (Mark 3:22–27; 9:14–29). The greatness of the person to come points toward the greatness of the era to come. The image of the stronger one points to someone who can engage in battle and may suggest a regal figure. Another chiasm takes place here (stronger one/I/I/he) ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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