BR 7:04, Aug 1991
Heavens Torn Open
Marks powerful metaphor explained
Mark, the earliest and the shortest of the Gospels, begins with John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River (Mark 1:9). As Jesus emerges from the water, Mark tells us, Jesus sees the heavens torn open (schizomenous tous ouranous) (Mark 1:10). The Spirit then descends upon Jesus, like a dove (Mark 1:10). A voice calls from heaven: Thou art my beloved son; with thee I am well pleased (Mark 1:11). The Spirit then drives Jesus into the wilderness where he is tempted by Satan for 40 days (Mark 1:1213).
The verb schizomenous (torn open) is unusual, as the image it evokes. At the precise beginning of Jesus careerthe moment of his baptismthe heavens are torn open.