Correct Option: B. His baptism by John the Baptist
Detailed Explanation:
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Context of the Event: The event that precedes Jesus' temptation in the wilderness is His baptism by John the Baptist. This is a significant moment in the Gospels, marking the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.
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Biblical References:
- The baptism of Jesus is described in all four Gospels (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:29-34).
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After His baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1, Luke 4:1).
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Significance of the Baptism:
- Affirmation of Identity: During His baptism, the heavens open, and the Spirit of God descends like a dove, while a voice from heaven declares, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). This moment affirms Jesus' identity as the Son of God and sets the stage for His ministry.
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Preparation for Ministry: The baptism signifies Jesus' readiness to embark on His mission. It is a moment of public acknowledgment of His divine purpose.
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Transition to Temptation: After this significant event, Jesus is led into the wilderness, where He faces temptation. This sequence illustrates the transition from His divine affirmation to the challenges He would face in His ministry.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A. His first miracle at the wedding in Cana:
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This event occurs later in Jesus' ministry (John 2:1-11) and is not directly related to the temptation narrative. The wedding at Cana is significant as it marks the first miracle Jesus performs, but it does not precede the temptation.
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C. The Sermon on the Mount:
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The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a collection of teachings given by Jesus after the temptation. It is one of His most famous discourses but occurs well after the events of His baptism and temptation.
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D. The Transfiguration:
- The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9) is a later event in Jesus' ministry where He is revealed in glory to a few of His disciples. This event happens after the temptation and is not a precursor to it.
Revision Summary:
- The significant event preceding Jesus' temptation in the wilderness is His baptism by John the Baptist.
- Jesus' baptism affirms His identity as the Son of God and marks the beginning of His public ministry.
- The temptation in the wilderness follows His baptism, illustrating the challenges He would face.
- Other options (first miracle, Sermon on the Mount, Transfiguration) occur at different points in Jesus' ministry and are not related to the temptation narrative.