1:35–39 Here, the one who in previous episodes is shown exercising such great power and authority is described as seeking a quiet place of prayer. Since we are not told what Jesus’ prayer was, it must be the mere fact that Jesus prayed that fits Mark’s narrative purpose here.

Mark mentions Jesus praying only two other times, in 6:46, after the feeding of the five thousand, and in 14:32–39, in Gethsemane just before his arrest. By contrast, Luke mentions Jesus praying on eight occasions (3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28; 11:1; 22:32, 41), though he does not mention Jesus praying in his account that parallels the present one (cf. Luke 4:22–43). The fact that Jesus expresses a conviction as to the direction of his ministry in the discussion immedi…