Abstract:
Jesus’ retreat into the wilderness soon after being baptized by John has been interpreted from
three perspectives –as an echo of exodus narrative, an echo of Isaiah restoration narrative
and as a baptismal liturgy. Because Mark presents Jesus as the best folk-healer and
inaugurator of an alternative household within which healing, exorcism and teaching took
place, I suggest that the analogue of ukutwasa (ritual whereby the healer retreats for the
purpose of acquiring power) may provide illustrative insights into the importance of Jesus
retreat; interpreted as rite of passage whereby the practitioner acquires healing powers. Using
ukutwasa as an illustration and interpretive lense, Jesus’ retreat signifies three things –the role
and power of the Spirit in initiation, the commitment of the practitioner staying on course during
an initiative by avoiding things that could be prohibited and, lastly, being possessed by power
which later became evident throughout his ministry.
