John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Parallel translations
- WEB John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.
- KJV John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
- BSB John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
- NKJV John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
- NLT This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John appears preaching a baptism of repentance, calling people to turn from sin to receive forgiveness. He prepares hearts for the Messiah.
Overview
John's baptism was a public, outward sign of inward repentance, marking a decisive break from sin. It pointed forward to the forgiveness that Jesus would secure through His death. By locating this in the wilderness, Mark evokes Israel's exodus and renewal, signaling a fresh act of God to redeem His people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Acts 19:3–4He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”
- Matt 3:6They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
- John 3:23John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized.
- Acts 13:24–25before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.
- Luke 3:2–3in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
- Matt 3:1–2In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,
- Luke 1:77to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
- Acts 22:16Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
- Acts 10:37you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
- Matt 3:11I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 1:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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